CD Projekt Red has provided the first substantial update on Project Hadar, its mysterious new intellectual property, revealing that the team has moved beyond the conceptual stage and begun active game development. CEO Michał Nowakowski disclosed in a recent interview that the studio has finished establishing the "world vision" for the project, a process that consumed several years of work before any actual game development could commence.
Project Hadar was first announced four years ago as part of CD Projekt Red's long-term strategic roadmap. At that time, the studio described it as a codename for an entirely new IP created from scratch within the company, emphasizing that the project was in its earliest creative phases with no game development yet underway. The focus then was exclusively on building the conceptual foundation and setting for this new world.
Development Progress and Timeline
Nowakowski explained that completing the world vision represented the studio's most ambitious undertaking to date. With that foundational work now complete, the team has begun developing the actual game, though it has not yet reached the pre-production phase. Currently, small prototypes are being created and gameplay elements are being tested to explore what the project could become. Despite these early steps, Project Hadar remains years away from release.
CD Projekt Red's Expanding Portfolio
Project Hadar will mark CD Projekt Red's first original intellectual property, as the studio has previously built its reputation on adaptations of existing properties. The Witcher series draws from Andrzej Sapkowski's novels and short stories, while the Cyberpunk franchise originated from Mike Pondsmith's tabletop RPG. The studio is simultaneously developing multiple major projects alongside Hadar, creating an ambitious development schedule across several franchises.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will receive its first expansion in over a decade with Songs of the Past, scheduled for 2027. This marks a significant return to the game following the 2016 expansion Blood and Wine. In preparation for the new content, the studio recently released a remaster of The Witcher 3 across PC and console platforms.
The Witcher 4 is planned for 2028 and will shift the narrative focus to Ciri, Geralt's adoptive daughter, as she assumes his role as a monster hunter. This title launches what CD Projekt Red has announced as an ambitious trilogy spanning six years. If released at regular intervals, The Witcher 5 would arrive in 2031 and The Witcher 6 in 2034. Achieving this release cadence presents a significant challenge given the extended development cycles typical of modern AAA game production. Beyond these titles, the studio is also developing a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel and a multiplayer Witcher game, though neither has received a confirmed release window.
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