The journey of CD Projekt Red transformed dramatically from a humble game developer to a prominent industry leader following the remarkable success of The Witcher 3.

Reflecting on this transformation, Michał Nowakowski, joint CEO of CD Projekt Red, shared insights into how the success fostered an unrealistic sense of confidence within the studio. “That gave us confidence,” he stated, remarking that this confidence could have even crossed into overconfidence, especially when it came to the launch of Cyberpunk 2077. He recalled feelings of apprehension about competing titles such as Dragon Age: Inquisition, emphasizing the inherent challenges of maintaining quality amid rising expectations.

He highlighted the chaos and disorder during the development phase, seen by many as a ‘magical’ turnaround that contributed to their success. “People believed something miraculous would occur to make everything alright,” he mentioned, addressing the risks of overconfidence in a rapidly evolving industry.

The reflection comes in light of the studio’s efforts to reassess its internal processes post-Cyberpunk 2077, aiming to build more sustainable development practices that continue to deliver quality gaming experiences while being realistic about their capacities. Acknowledging their reputation shift from an underdog to a recognized name in the gaming community has presented CD Projekt Red with both new ambitions and demanding challenges.