(Image credit: CD Projekt RED)
Echoing sentiments from Baldur’s Gate 3 and Larian head Swen Vincke, joint CD Projekt CEO Michał Nowakowski emphasizes that cutting-edge single-player games will maintain their popularity despite the industry’s leanings toward live service and free-to-play models. For more insights, visit the PC Gamer article.
In a recent board report, evaluating 2024 activities and achievements, Nowakowski states, “We acknowledge the evolving video game market, yet we trust that cutting-edge single-player titles, supported by robust franchises and engaging narratives, will remain favored by players. Our experiences with The Witcher and Cyberpunk series, which we are delighted to develop further, fortify our position in the market. Our collaborations with global tech and innovation leaders help us maintain pace with technical advancements, ensuring we deliver exceptional entertainment.”
Vincke offers his perspective, dismissing routine claims that large single-player games are obsolete, arguing, “they just need to be excellent.” This succinctly translates to creating a ‘cutting-edge title with a solid franchise and captivating narrative.’
CD Projekt is currently busy crafting a new IP named Hadar and has revealed a partnership with mobile giant Scopely. However, its primary focus remains on its core single-player series. The project lineup features The Witcher 4, Cyberpunk 2 (dubbed as Orion, following Cyberpunk 2077), a The Witcher remake, and an intriguing spinoff named Sirius.
Firmly entrenched in the world of cutting-edge single-player gaming, CD Projekt stands as a leading force in the field. Nowakowski’s remarks were expected as the company invests further and expands across parallel projects, reinforcing what has brought them success.
The report highlights a surge in development staff, from October 31, 2024, to February 28, 2025, with figures rising from 650 to 707 developers, particularly within the Witcher 4, Orion, and shared services teams. Associate Cyberpunk director Paweł Sasko mentions, “We are growing my chooms.”
Single-player games are indeed flourishing, as demonstrated by Assassin’s Creed Shadows reporting over two million copies sold in just a few days—marking the series’ most substantial launch since Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Ubisoft describes this as a “perfect storm” unlikely to occur frequently.
Although Nowakowski recently stated the company won’t pursue survival games merely for their popularity, the influence of Netflix’s Edgerunners anime spurs aspirations beyond the realm of RPGs.