CD Projekt Red has trimmed the development team for Project Sirius, its upcoming multiplayer spin-off set in The Witcher universe. According to reporting by Kotaku and Gamereactor, nine employees have lost their jobs across studios in Boston and Warsaw as the company pivots its strategic approach to online gaming.
Inside the Project Sirius Restructuring
The multiplayer spin-off was first announced in 2022 and has experienced a turbulent development cycle. In 2023, initial layoffs hit The Molasses Flood, the independent studio originally leading Project Sirius before its deeper integration into CD Projekt Red. Now, fresh cuts have reduced the team further.
According to official communications from CD Projekt Red, exactly nine individuals were let go from the project. Four of those roles were based in the Boston office, while the remaining five were located in Warsaw. But there is a silver lining for some of the affected staff: nine other workers were successfully transitioned off Project Sirius and offered alternative positions elsewhere within the company to work on separate initiatives.
The headcount dedicated specifically to Project Sirius dropped from 83 developers down to 65. Even with four years of development history behind it, the project shows signs of a prolonged timeline, lacking an imminent release window.
Navigating Shifting Market Demands in European Tech
CD Projekt Red appears cautious about flooding an already crowded market with another online-centric experience, choosing instead to protect its core brand equity.
| Metric | Previous State | Current State |
|---|---|---|
| Total Team Headcount | 83 developers | 65 developers |
| Recent Layoffs | – | 9 employees (4 Boston, 5 Warsaw) |
| Internal Transfers | – | 9 employees reassigned to other projects |
| Original Announcement Year | 2022 | – |
Looking Ahead at The Witcher Franchise Pipeline
Fans are eagerly anticipating other major releases on the horizon, including the upcoming expansion titled Songs of the Past and the highly anticipated fourth mainline installment, The Witcher 4.
Leadership is willing to trim and redirect resources rather than force a flawed online product to market.
How do you view this strategic pivot? Let us know your thoughts on whether traditional single-player studios should continue chasing the multiplayer market.
