It's already a given fact that CD Project Red will release new installments for its Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 series. However, we do not know that the Polish game studio will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) for its future game production.
CD Projekt's new joint CEO, Adam Badowski has confirmed that the team is excited to use AI for their future game development. However, that does not mean that humans will be replaced by AI.
CD Projekt to Incorporate AI into Games
As Badowski told Reuters in a recent interview, the studio plans to revolutionize its development process by incorporating AI into its games.
When we hear about AI, we automatically think that it could be a perfect replacement for humans. This is what happens in some industries, but Badowski believes that nothing can surpass pure human talent.
The Next Witcher: Project 'Polaris' Takes Center Stage
As The Witcher fan base eagerly awaits the next game, Badowski disclosed that CD Projekt is gearing up to commence production on the highly anticipated "Polaris," the codename for the upcoming Witcher game. The studio aims to kickstart the production cycle within the current year, sparking excitement among fans worldwide.
Speaking of the new Witcher game, the sequel will still follow the "Wild Hunt" storyline. According to CD Projekt Red, it envisions switching to Unreal Engine 5 for this particular installment.
"We'd like to have around 400 people working on the project by the middle of the year," Badowski said.
Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel: 'Orion' in Conceptual Phase
While details on the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, codenamed "Orion" remain limited, CD Projekt's joint CEO, Michal Nowakowski, shared that the project is currently in its conceptual phase.
Despite the early stage, the studio aims to assemble a team of 80 professionals dedicated to "Orion" by the year's end. Speculations about potential multiplayer elements in the sequel have surfaced, but no official details have been disclosed.
Lessons Learned: Evolving from Cyberpunk 2077's Launch
Acknowledging the challenges faced during Cyberpunk 2077's launch in 2020, Badowski highlighted that CD Projekt wants to avoid similar pitfalls in the future.
Moreover, the studio has embraced valuable lessons from the tumultuous debut, demonstrating a proactive approach toward enhancing the quality and stability of future releases.
If the developer thinks highly about the quality of the upcoming games, we expect a longer time before we see them landing on PC and consoles.
AI Use in Game Development
CD Projekt joins the ranks of popular game developers exploring the integration of AI.
Square Enix, a Japanese industry powerhouse, recently declared its intention to adopt AI and cutting-edge technologies extensively in content development and publishing, per TechRadar.
This industry-wide trend is seen all over the place as more studios switch to AI. For some of them, AI could help them come up with more creative ideas and effects for the games.
AI in Action: CD Projekt's Past Endeavors
CD Projekt's venture into AI isn't entirely novel. The well-received Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077 showcased the studio's adept use of AI. Specifically, AI was employed to seamlessly replace a deceased voice actor who portrayed Viktor Vektor, a pivotal character within the game.
An AI-driven future is indeed waiting for CD Projekt and there's no question that it will back out in this technology.
What the Cyberpunk 2077 maker anticipates are huge improvements that will improve the game quality while not resorting to compromising workforce stability. This is usually the common problem behind the unexpected layoffs of other firms.
In early January 2024, Tech Times reported that outgoing CD Projekt's CEO Adam Kiciński denied the rumors circling around the potential acquisition.
