CD Projekt has confirmed that a wave of layoffs has impacted the development team behind Project Sirius, the upcoming multiplayer spin-off set in The Witcher universe. The company stated that 18 developers previously assigned to the project have either been made redundant or have been invited to apply for redeployment opportunities within the organization.
The news was officially confirmed on August 12, following earlier reports of restructuring at the Polish game developer. This marks the latest in a series of setbacks for the highly anticipated title, which has undergone significant shifts in its development strategy over the past year.
Background on Project Sirius
Project Sirius was initially announced as a bold new direction for The Witcher franchise, featuring both single-player and multiplayer gameplay elements. The project is being developed primarily by The Molasses Flood, a studio acquired by CD Projekt in 2021 specifically to spearhead the project.
However, the game’s development has faced turbulence. In March 2023, CD Projekt announced a major pivot, revealing that the company had taken a writedown of approximately 33 million Polish zloty related to the project. At that time, officials stated that the original concept for the game did not align with the company’s long-term strategic vision and that a revised framework was being implemented.
Details of the Current Redundancies
According to a statement provided to industry press, the job cuts are part of an ongoing effort to refine the production pipeline and ensure the remaining team has a clear, focused mandate. The company clarified that the decision was difficult but necessary to bring the project in line with current expectations for quality and scope.
Of the 18 affected individuals, a portion have left the company entirely, while others have been offered the chance to move to different positions within CD Projekt’s broader portfolio, which includes other major titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 and the upcoming Polaris trilogy. The company has not specified how many employees fall into each category.
Impact on the Gaming Community
The layoffs add to a growing trend of job losses across the global video game industry throughout 2024. Several major studios have announced workforce reductions this year, driven by rising development costs and a post-pandemic correction in player engagement metrics.
For fans of The Witcher series, the news raises further questions about the release timeline for the multiplayer spin-off. The project is currently slated to feature a more accessible entry point for players unfamiliar with the franchise, though specific gameplay details remain scarce. CD Projekt has historically maintained a policy of not sharing release dates until late in the development cycle to avoid delays.
Official Responses and Regulatory Context
CD Projekt has not issued a formal press release specifically regarding the Project Sirius layoffs, but the confirmation to industry outlets serves as the official acknowledgment of the situation. The company is legally required to consult with labor unions and local employment agencies in Poland regarding mass redundancies, though the total number of employees affected here is below the threshold that mandates public disclosure of individual severance terms.
Industry analysts suggest that the restructuring is likely aimed at prioritizing quality over speed, given the mixed reception to some recent high-profile releases in the market. The company has previously committed to ensuring that future games in the Witcher universe meet the high expectations set by The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Looking Ahead
The revised scope of Project Sirius is expected to be fully detailed in the coming months, likely coinciding with a scheduled investor call from CD Projekt. The company has indicated that development is continuing with a core team, and that a new design document has been approved by executive leadership.
While no new release window has been provided, the studio has signaled that an official reveal is possible once internal milestones are met. The broader The Witcher franchise roadmap remains active, with the next major single-player installment currently in the early stages of production at CD Projekt’s main studio in Warsaw.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
