The video discusses CD Projekt Red’s development of the upcoming Witcher game, learning from the mistakes made during Cyberpunk 2077 by implementing new processes, switching to Unreal Engine, and focusing on transparency with fans. With a team of around 400 people, the studio aims to create a quality game featuring new characters while ensuring a more measured marketing strategy to rebuild trust with players.
The video discusses the development of the upcoming Witcher game, unofficially referred to as Witcher 4, and how CD Projekt Red (CDPR) is learning from the mistakes made during the development of Cyberpunk 2077. The speaker, Luke, shares his excitement about the game and mentions that CDPR has entered full production with a team of around 400 people working on it. The focus of the new game will not be on Geralt of Rivia, although his voice actor will still be involved in some capacity. There are rumors that players may be able to create their own Witcher characters, and the timeline may involve Geralt in a supporting role.
CDPR has shifted from using their proprietary Red Engine to Unreal Engine, which is expected to facilitate better collaboration across multiple projects and improve the development process. The decision to switch engines stemmed from the desire to allow developers to focus more on game creation rather than wrestling with engine-related issues. This change is seen as a strategic move to streamline development and enhance productivity, as many developers are already familiar with Unreal Engine from their education.
The studio is implementing new processes to avoid the pitfalls experienced during Cyberpunk’s development. They are conducting regular reviews to ensure that the technology is ready for each project before moving into full production. This approach aims to prevent the rushed development and technical shortcomings that plagued Cyberpunk at launch. CDPR is also emphasizing the importance of being realistic about their ambitions and ensuring that they do not overreach with their goals.
Luke highlights the studio’s commitment to transparency and communication with fans, mentioning that they plan to adopt a more measured marketing strategy. The marketing campaign for the new Witcher game will likely be shorter than the extensive campaigns seen in the past, with a focus on teasing content rather than building hype too early. CDPR aims to provide small updates or ‘breadcrumbs’ to keep fans engaged without overpromising or underdelivering.
In conclusion, the video reflects a cautious optimism about the future of CDPR and the Witcher franchise. The studio is taking lessons from its previous experiences, focusing on improving its development practices, and ensuring that the next game meets the high expectations set by its predecessors. With a commitment to quality and a more strategic approach to marketing, CDPR hopes to regain the trust of fans and deliver a successful new entry in the Witcher series.