The Witcher’s first multiplayer game is in a bad spot
CD Projekt blues
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CD Projekt Red’s upcoming Witcher game, provisionally titledProject Sirius, seems to have hit a roadblock.
In a regulatory statement published March 20, the developers behind one of thebest RPGsof all time announced their intention towrite-off fundsallocated for the project.Project Sirusis in development at The Molasses Flood studio, which CD Projekt Red acquired in October 2021.
The decision to write off 33.4 million Polish Zloty (roughly £6.25 million at the time of writing) resulted from an “evaluation of the scope and commercial potential of the original concept ofProject Sirius”. In the regulatory announcement, CD Projekt Red made it clear that “ongoing work” was needed to “formula[te] a new framework for this project.” In short, this statement strongly suggests thatProject Siriushas undergone something of a reboot.
Set inthe Witcheruniverse,Project Siriuswas initially supposed to differ from CD Projekt Red’s other titles by offering multiplayer gameplay in conjunction with a single-player campaign experience. The Molasses Flood, a smaller studio with experience crafting multiplayer titles likeDrake Hollow, was to undertake this ambitious project. ThoughProject Siriusis still in development, as far as we know, it looks like CD Projekt Red may be pivoting the project in a new direction in the coming months.
Those anticipating the release ofThe Witcher 4shouldn’t worry, however, since the sequel, codenamedProject Polarisappears unaffected by this announcement.
Pet projects
Project Siriusis one offive titles currently in developmentby CD Projekt Red or studios it has acquired. In addition toSiriusandProject Polaris, the much-anticipated sequel toThe Witcher 3, projectsOrion,Canis MajorisandHadarare all in development.
CD Projekt Red is having to keep a lot of plates spinning at the moment
Orionwill be a follow-up toCyberpunk 2077set in the Cyberpunk franchise, whileCanis Majorisintends to be a “full-fledged Witcher game, separate to the new Witcher saga starting withPolaris” (via IGN).Project Hadaris the most mysterious of the five, and promises a game set in an “entirely distinct IP, created from scratch within CDPR.”
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However you slice it, CD Projekt Red is having to keep a lot of plates spinning at the moment with this ambitious portfolio. Overseeing the development of five games simultaneously is a rather tall order, so it’s no surprise that there might be the occasional hiccup.
Though this may be disappointing news for fans ofThe Witcher, it’s important to remember that game development is a long and delicate process. It’s much better to err on the side of caution to ensure that your game has a solid foundation instead of committing to a project that’s untenable in the long run. Though it’s disheartening in the short term, this kind of methodical, considered thinking from CD Projekt Red is likely to lead to better games in the future.
An editor and freelance journalist, Cat Bussell has been writing about video games for more than four years and, frankly, she’s developed a taste for it. As seen on TechRadar, Technopedia, The Gamer, Wargamer, and SUPERJUMP, Cat’s reviews, features, and guides are lovingly curated for your reading pleasure.
A Cambridge graduate, recovering bartender, and Cloud Strife enjoyer, Cat’s foremost mission is to bring you the best coverage she can, whether that’s through helpful guides, even-handed reviews, or thought-provoking features. She’s interviewed indie darlings, triple-A greats, and legendary voice actors, all to help you get closer to the action. When she’s not writing, Cat can be found sticking her neck into a fresh RPG or running yet another Dungeons & Dragons game.
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