(Image credit: CD Projekt RED)
The Witcher 3 stands today as a monumental RPG, yet in its early days, the creators at CD Projekt Red (CDPR) faced a far less glamorous reality. Their initial venture into game development was marked by hardships that later fuelled their success. More insights here.
It’s no secret that the gaming industry often demands extreme dedication, with stories of 100-hour work weeks echoing from the corridors of projects like Red Dead Redemption 2. Even legends like Hideo Kojima and Masahiro Sakurai have endured the toll of such intense schedules, sometimes leading to physical strains. Thankfully, this grueling culture is evolving. Studios like Naughty Dog have openly discussed wanting to avoid ‘crunch’—a stance reinforced by their work on The Last of Us Part 1 Learn about their approach.
CD Projekt Red knows these challenges well. During a candid interview, CEOs Michał Nowakowski and Adam Badowski reminisced about their strenuous beginnings, discussing how 20 years ago, their determination was borne out of necessity. Badowski reflected, “We often slept under our desks and worked amidst chaos. The underdog spirit pushed us forward.” This gritty determination and relentless effort were pivotal to transforming CD Projekt from a fledgling studio into a powerhouse. Read the full interview.
Post the turbulent Cyberpunk 2077 launch, CD Projekt has renewed its commitment to healthy work practices. Future projects like The Witcher 4 are being developed with a focus on sustainability, aiming to eliminate the stresses of overworking. Meanwhile, former CD Projekt developers are exploring new creative avenues with indie horror games inspired by classics like Resident Evil. Discover their new ventures.
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