CD Projekt Red Scales 'Project Hadar' Team Amid Massive Production Slate
The studio is expanding its secret concept project while prioritizing The Witcher 4 and a Cyberpunk sequel.
CD Projekt Red is increasing the workforce for its mysterious "Project Hadar," signaling a strategic expansion of its current development pipeline. The move comes as the studio balances several high-profile titles across its most successful franchises.
During a recent earnings call, the company revealed that the Project Hadar team currently consists of more than 30 people. CD Projekt Red aims to grow this group to 50 developers by the end of this year. According to Karolina Gnas, the studio's VP of Investor Relations, the project remains in the concept phase. Gnas noted that the team is primarily focused on testing various ideas and prototyping specific gameplay elements.
A Crowded Development Slate
This hiring push occurs while CD Projekt Red manages one of the most ambitious production schedules in its history. The studio is currently targeting a 2028 release for the next installment of The Witcher series, commonly referred to as The Witcher 4. In addition to the new Witcher title, the company is actively developing a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 and a new expansion for The Witcher 3 titled "Songs of the Past."
To maintain focus on these primary objectives, the studio has made significant adjustments to its priorities. Most notably, the planned remake of the original Witcher game has been put on hold to ensure that resources are properly allocated to The Witcher 4 and other critical projects.
Strategic Implications
The decision to scale Project Hadar suggests that CD Projekt Red may be looking to diversify its portfolio. For years, the studio has relied almost exclusively on the two pillars of The Witcher and Cyberpunk. By investing in a third, unannounced project during a period of intense production, the company may be laying the groundwork for a new major franchise or exploring a different genre of gaming to reduce its reliance on existing intellectual properties.
What to Watch
While the expansion of the team is confirmed, the nature of Project Hadar remains a closely guarded secret. Industry observers will be watching for further hiring trends or official teasers that might reveal whether the project is a standalone IP or a spin-off of an existing world. For now, the project remains in the experimental stage, with the studio prioritizing the stability of its 2028 roadmap and the completion of its current sequels and expansions.