Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
CD Projekt Red will adopt a ‘dual franchise’ business model to support the development of future Cyberpunk and The Witcher games, as disclosed in a press release.
The Witcher 3 was incredibly successful, and was followed up by two very popular and highly praised expansion packs. Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t even out yet, but it’s clear the Polish developer thinks the future is bright for its two franchises. Twitter user DomsPlaying posted screenshots of the email press release, which sheds a little light on its ambitions for Cyberpunk and The Witcher titles.
Note:
This is from an email blast, I don't see the 1st half 2019 financial report up on its investor page yet.
(It's certainly not the easiest site to navigate.)
Excerpt below directly from the press release, with the above quote highlighted. pic.twitter.com/DLMJHr2kZv
— Dom (@DomsPlaying) August 29, 2019
‘The Company believes that maintaining the observed growth dynamics and expansion of its activity profile will depend on further enhancement of its world-class videogame development skillset and on maintaining effective communication channels with the global gaming community,’ the statement from CD Projekt Red said. ‘Managing two separate major franchises (The Witcher and Cyberpunk), along with several independent development teams, enables the Company to conduct parallel work on several projects and smoothens its long-term release schedule. This migration towards a dual-franchise model supported by several independent product lines also permits optimization of manufacturing and financial activities, mitigates important risk factors and makes it easier for Company employees to seek professional fulfillment.’
TL;DR: given how accomplished the company has been so far, CD Projekt Red will copy a similar approach to Bethesda, who is known to swap between The Elder Scrolls and Fallout releases. The developer will likely take on contracts with smaller game studios to guarantee smooth sailing on its parallel work for Cyberpunk and The Witcher.
We knew that there are three other Cyberpunk projects in the pipeline, and the new game would likely receive expansions like The Witcher 3 did. Expectedly, the gritty dystopian RPG has been at the forefront of CD Projekt Red’s minds, but the release date for The Witcher 3 on the Nintendo Switch was recently announced. While we wait for new stories from Geralt in his grim fantasy world, Netflix’s The Witcher TV show will do just fine in the interim. And, Cyberpunk 2077 will launch for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in April 2020.
