The Witcher multiplayer spin-off game, known as ‘Sirius,’ recently underwent a significant transformation, leading to the adoption of a new framework. As a result, The Molasses Flood, the development studio behind the roguelike survival game The Flame in the Hood, has made the decision to lay off 29 employees, with 21 team members from the US and eight from Poland being affected. The Molasses Flood, founded in 2014 by experienced developers who worked on popular titles such as Halo and BioShock, was acquired by CD Projekt Red, the creators of The Witcher, in 2021. CD Projekt Red has been providing direct support for the development of The Witcher multiplayer spin-off, which was announced last year. Initially, there were plans for a single-player campaign mode, but it is currently uncertain whether it is still being considered.
Regarding the changes in the team composition, a CD Projekt Red spokesperson commented, “Because the project changed, so has the composition of the team that’s working on it – mainly on The Molasses Flood’s side.” In March, CD Projekt Red reported an impairment charge on Sirius, which is a standard accounting practice to write off assets that hold minimal value to the company. However, during a financial earnings call in April, the company reassured that the project is not canceled, but being reevaluated.
During a Q&A session, Adam Kiciński, CEO of CD Projekt Red, explained the nature of the project, stating, “So this is a project which is, I would say, insourced. It’s also new to us in terms of design and format. For those reasons, it’s very different from the big productions we are known for. To stay competitive, we have to keep looking for new ways to extend our franchises.”
Apart from the multiplayer-focused ‘Sirius,’ CD Projekt Red has also announced other exciting projects. These include a new installment in The Witcher trilogy called ‘The Witcher Polaris,’ and a ground-up remake of the first game in the series using Unreal Engine 5. Fool’s Theory, a Polish studio consisting of experienced The Witcher series staff, is leading the development of the remake. The game follows the story of Geralt of Rivia, the monster hunter, on his quest to regain his memories in a fantastical world. This remake is the first complete rebuilding of the 2007 title.
In addition to The Witcher projects, CD Projekt Red is actively working on the expansion for Cyberpunk 2077, known as Phantom Liberty, which features actor Idris Elba as Solomon Reed, an FIA agent in the ‘New United States of America.’ Although there is no specific release date for the expansion, it is expected to launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X later this year. The publisher has also revealed plans for a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, codenamed ‘Orion,’ which aims to further explore the dark future universe of the franchise. However, Kiciński emphasized that the development of the sequel is still in its early stages and requires team expansion.
In conclusion, CD Projekt Red is actively engaged in multiple exciting projects, including the development of The Witcher multiplayer spin-off, the remake of the original Witcher game, and the expansion and sequel for Cyberpunk 2077. These endeavors demonstrate the company’s commitment to extending their renowned franchises and exploring new avenues of innovation.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
