The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 Development Accelerates: CD Projekt Red Scales Up Teams
CD Projekt Red advances The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2, boosting development teams to deliver immersive, next-gen RPGs that excite fans worldwide.
CD Projekt Red has shared encouraging news regarding the development of two of its most anticipated titles - The Witcher 4 and the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. According to the latest updates, both projects are gaining momentum with significant increases in development staff, indicating the studio's commitment to delivering these highly awaited games to eager fans worldwide.
In a recent announcement on social media, CD Projekt Red published a detailed chart showcasing the allocation of their development resources across various ongoing projects. The Witcher 4, which appears to be receiving top priority, now has 444 developers actively working on it - an increase of 22 personnel since April 2025. Meanwhile, the Cyberpunk sequel, informally referred to as "Cyberpunk 2" (though this is unlikely to be its final title), has seen its team grow from 96 to 116 developers, signaling progression despite still being in the early stages of development.
Rising From Past Challenges
The studio's dedication to these projects comes after a journey of both triumph and controversy. While The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt established CD Projekt Red as a premier RPG developer, Cyberpunk 2077's launch in 2020 became one of gaming's most notorious releases due to its technical issues. However, through persistent updates and improvements, Cyberpunk 2077 eventually transformed into what many now consider one of the decade's finest RPGs - a redemption story that has only heightened anticipation for its sequel.
This pattern of learning from past experiences seems to be informing the studio's approach to development. By scaling up their teams gradually and methodically, CD Projekt Red appears to be ensuring both quality and stability for their upcoming titles.
The Witcher 4: A Glimpse Into the Future
Fans of The Witcher franchise received an exceptional treat earlier this year when CD Projekt Red unveiled a technical demo for the fourth installment. The nearly 10-minute showcase featured Ciri, confirmed as the protagonist, riding her horse Kelpie through breathtaking wilderness before visiting the region of Kovir.
The demo impressed viewers with its:
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Unprecedented level of environmental detail
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Dense, realistic foliage
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Vibrant NPC interactions
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Immersive world-building
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Next-generation visual fidelity
While the studio cautions that the demo may not perfectly represent the final product, it has successfully generated enthusiasm and provided a tangible vision of what players can expect. The technical showcase suggests that The Witcher 4 aims to push boundaries in terms of open-world immersion and narrative depth.
Cyberpunk's Future Takes Shape
Meanwhile, the Cyberpunk sequel has recently transitioned from conceptual development to pre-production - a significant milestone that indicates the completion of the game's foundational design phase. Previously known internally as "Project Orion," the game now appears to be tentatively called "Cyberpunk 2," though this will likely change before release.
This transition to pre-production means the team will begin developing gameplay prototypes and establishing core mechanics. Given the eventual success of Cyberpunk 2077 following its post-launch improvements, expectations for the sequel are extraordinarily high.
Industry analysts suggest that CD Projekt Red's experience with Cyberpunk 2077 has fundamentally altered their development philosophy. The studio appears to be taking a more measured approach with both titles, prioritizing quality and stability over rushed deadlines.
Despite the encouraging progress, fans should temper their expectations regarding release timeframes. The Witcher 4 is still likely several years from completion, while Cyberpunk's sequel might be even further out - possibly not arriving until the latter half of this decade. This extended timeline reflects CD Projekt Red's apparent determination to avoid the pitfalls that accompanied Cyberpunk 2077's troubled launch.
Some gaming journalists have speculated that The Witcher 4 might target a 2027 release window, though CD Projekt Red has not confirmed any official timeline. The Cyberpunk sequel, being earlier in development, could potentially arrive in 2028 or later.
What remains clear is that CD Projekt Red is investing substantially in both franchises, recognizing their importance to both the studio's reputation and financial future. With hundreds of developers now dedicated to these projects, the scope and ambition of both titles appear to be considerable.
Balancing Multiple Projects
Beyond these two flagship titles, CD Projekt Red continues to juggle several other initiatives, though with smaller teams. This diversification represents a shift in strategy for the studio, which previously tended to focus predominantly on single projects.
The challenge for CD Projekt Red will be maintaining quality across multiple development pipelines while ensuring their premier titles receive the attention they deserve. So far, the increasing allocation of resources to both The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk's sequel suggests the studio is prioritizing appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will The Witcher 4 be released?
A: CD Projekt Red hasn't announced an official release date. Based on current development progress, industry analysts estimate it could arrive sometime in 2027, but this remains speculation.
Q: Will Geralt of Rivia return as the protagonist in The Witcher 4?
A: According to the technical demo, Ciri appears to be the protagonist of The Witcher 4, though Geralt might still play a role in the story.
Q: Is "Cyberpunk 2" the official title for the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel?
A: No, this appears to be an informal working title. The game was previously codenamed "Project Orion" and will likely receive a different official title before release.
Q: Will these games be available on current-gen consoles?
A: Given their expected release timeframes, it's possible they may target next-generation hardware beyond PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, though CD Projekt Red hasn't made any platform announcements.
Q: Has CD Projekt Red addressed the launch issues that plagued Cyberpunk 2077?
A: Yes, the studio has frequently acknowledged the lessons learned from Cyberpunk 2077's troubled launch, and their measured approach to these new projects suggests they're applying those lessons to avoid similar issues.