On the surface, it may seem like the ambitious sci-fi title Cyberpunk 2077 and the beloved Witcher fantasy franchise couldn't be further apart from each other. But they're more intertwined than players might think, and not merely because they share the same developer. CD Projekt Red, the Polish video game developer and publisher, made a name for itself by bringing the popular Witcher novel series by author Andrzej Sapkowski to gamers everywhere, and it generated a lot of goodwill in the process.
The last mainline installment that was released, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, was a particular favorite among players. It achieved critical and commercial success while also cementing CD Projekt Red's reputation as a respected developer. However, the studio's move away from the familiar Witcher series proved to be not quite so fruitful, and Cyberpunk 2077's infamous launch and subsequent issues became a cautionary tale for all developers. It may be a separate IP, but Cyberpunk 2077's fortunes may be inextricably linked and could even prove detrimental to The Witcher games for a while yet.
Cyberpunk 2077's Troubles
By this point, Cyberpunk 2077's woes have been well documented. A long development cycle, high fan expectations, delays, and a buggy launch ensured that the game definitely didn't get off to the best of starts. Once games launch in a broken or unfinished state, it can be hard to get fans back onboard. They've already shelled out a lot of money with the expectation that a title will at least be finished and playable, and when that's not the case, things can turn sour pretty quickly.
The problem wasn't just an incomplete or buggy game at launch, though. Despite the fact that the majority of CD Projekt Red's previous main Witcher games, DLCs, and spin-off titles had been well-received, the slate was essentially wiped clean when it came to the studio's reputation in the minds of some players because of the disastrous beginnings of Cyberpunk 2077's post-launch life. CD Projekt Red has been hard at work to right the wrongs and make Cyberpunk 2077 the game it should have been when it was released in 2020, but for many fans, the damage has already been done.
How This Could Affect Future Witcher Games
After Cyberpunk 2077's launch, it seems like CD Projekt Red is heading back to the relative safety of the Witcher universe. The developer announced earlier this year that the next Witcher was in development, and player interest was piqued when the announcement also confirmed that this would be the start of a new saga. The game may only be in early development at the moment and is likely some years away, but a lot of fans are already apprehensive.
Cyberpunk 2077's ambitious goals ended in a game that couldn't quite live up to the hype or even deliver on a few of the things that were seemingly promised during its promotion, and players are worried the same things will happen to CD Projekt Red's next title, or even the next few titles. Trust in the developer has been shaken, and fans will have a hard time believing any more promises about subsequent games and will take any updates with a pinch of salt.
The Witcher games are undeniably popular, and the next installment has already generated a lot of buzz within the community. Even considering the reticence that might accompany that excitement given Cyberpunk 2077's issues, hopes will be high for the future of the franchise. However, players may be even more skeptical, especially given the fact that it seems The Witcher games will be moving away from the familiar characters like Geralt as they start a new saga. Gamers don't necessarily know what that means just yet, but some may be wary of CD Projekt Red gambling on new directions considering how that seemed to work out for the studio last time.
A new Witcher game is currently in development.