The Witcher developer/publisher CD Projekt Red reportedly laid off 18 individuals from Project Sirius, the long-reported Witcher multiplayer game. It is uncertain, at this point, how the individuals impacted have been treated or how they worked on the project, but this is the second wave of layoffs to this specific studio and project.
As fans know, there are multiple games in some stage of development under the CD Projekt Red banner. The Witcher 4 is the next mainline game, The Witcher 3 is getting a new DLC in Songs of the Past, The Witcher 1 is getting a remake, and Project Sirius is a multiplayer project within the Witcher universe. CDPR is also working on the next Cyberpunk 2077 game and a brand new open-world, original IP, so to say the company is busy seems to be an understatement. At times, CDPR is working with external teams and studios (like with the Witcher remake).
Witcher Multiplayer Team Hit By Layoffs
Kotaku’s Rebekah Valentine reports that 9 individuals were let go from Project Sirius on August 12, with another 9 being shuffled to other projects within The Molasses Flood—a studio “absorbed” by CD Projekt Red, previously known and responsible for Drake Hollow and The Flame in the Flood. In short, Project Sirius is losing 18 developers, and the 9 who were immediately let go face a changed gaming industry where even seasonal professionals struggle to find gainful employment. The explanation, as learned by Kotaku, is that these layoffs align with a “broader shift in development strategy.”
While development has reportedly been going relatively well recently, it’s worth mentioning that Project Sirius has seemingly struggled more than some projects (though all projects have their struggles). After all, fans know very little about this title despite being revealed in 2022. All that is known is that it’s a multiplayer Witcher game, and that prior to this round of layoffs, it was hit during 2023 as well. At that time, development on the Witcher multiplayer game was rebooted, with 29 developers being laid off as a whole. The studio has largely been silent since the last development reboot, and it’s uncertain what the latest round ultimately means for the game’s production pipeline.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
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CDPR has yet to comment on the reported layoffs. Unfortunately, layoffs have become commonplace in the industry, with Xbox announcing a major reset earlier this year, which is one of the biggest but far from the only. The timing also feels intentional. One of the biggest nights in gaming, Gamescom, is not far away as of this writing. The Witcher 3‘s Song of the Past DLC is confirmed for Gamescom, meaning the very nature of the industry will quickly mean this news is forgotten.
CDPR periodically supplies updates for its projects, as many fans love its collection of IPs, so perhaps fans will learn more about the status of the multiplayer game then. Until then, my heart to all those impacted across the industry: before, today, tomorrow.