Cyberpunk 2 doesn’t rule out multiplayer elements, and CDPR explains its position on AI in game development

It’s been a busy three years for CD Projekt RED. The Polish studio was forced to rebuild its reputation after the failed launch of Cyberpunk 2077, which was riddled with problems. The developers set out to improve the product and have finally achieved their goal, as Phantom Liberty, the first and only paid expansion, is the culmination of this long journey. With the goals achieved, it is time to look to the future: the new trilogy of The Witcher and the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. In an interview with Reuters, the studio has dropped the possibility of implementing multiplayer features in the sequel; it has also responded to one of the current issues, the applications of AI in game development.

Adam Badowski, CEO of CD Projekt RED, explained that the new Cyberpunk (codenamed Orion) is still in the conceptual stage, although they expect to have about 80 people working on the project by the end of 2024. Michal Nowakowski, Vice President of Business Development, added that the developers are looking into the possibility of adding multiplayer elements, although he did not go into details.

AI will not replace developers

The company has set up a team to assess how to implement artificial intelligence technology in the creative process, although the Poles have made it clear that their intention is not to replace employees with AI.

“We think that AI is something that can help improve certain processes in game production, but not replace people.” As for the lessons learned from Cyberpunk 2077, Badowski claims that the company has better control over the creative process of its titles: “We believe that in the future we’ll avoid a premiere like the one we faced with Cyberpunk 2077.”

The next game to go into production will be The Witcher 4 (Polaris). The goal is to have it out later this year, so they have planned to have more than 400 people working on the project by mid-2024.