CD Projekt Red’s ‘Hadar’ Confirmed as Next Open-World Franchise, Early Prototypes in Unreal Engine

CD Projekt Red has confirmed that its next original IP, ‘Hadar’, is in early-stage development as an “emotional, open-world experience,” with prototype gameplay currently being built in Unreal Engine and a team of just 26 developers as of February 2026.

CD Projekt Red, known for The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, has officially described ‘Hadar’ as another open-world game. Evidence comes directly from a CD Projekt Red job advert seeking an engineering director for the project, which states: “You will help push the envelope for the next, immersive game in the Hadar world, creating an emotional, open-world experience that will stay with gamers.” The job listing, publicly available on the studio’s careers page, signals the studio’s intention to expand its portfolio of narrative-driven, large-scale titles.

The company only “established the foundations” for Hadar’s design in March 2026, and details remain scarce beyond the codename and new genre confirmation. By the end of February 2026, only 26 people were assigned to Hadar, underlining how early the preproduction phase still is. This development headcount has been publicly disclosed by project updates and mirrors earlier Witcher and Cyberpunk development pipelines at the conceptual prototype stage.

Prototype Development in Unreal Engine

Joint CEO Michał Nowakowski provided further clarity on Hadar’s current status during a March 2026 business update. He said, “We are creating multiple prototypes and implementing them directly in Unreal Engine. This allows us to live-test and verify how selected mechanics and gameplay elements can perform.” The statement highlights that CD Projekt Red is focusing on rapid iteration, trialling core mechanics within the powerful Unreal Engine ecosystem rather than solely relying on pen-and-paper design or in-house tech development.

This iterative approach to prototyping is significant because it mirrors the methodology successfully used in early development of both Cyberpunk 2077 and the current The Witcher 4 project. The choice of Unreal Engine aligns with the company’s previously announced technology partnership with Epic Games, moving away from their proprietary REDengine for future flagship titles.

Hiring and Project Ramp-up

The presence of several new job postings for the Hadar project, including key technical and creative roles, indicates that CD Projekt Red is preparing to ramp up development. These listings, available on the company’s official site, reference work on “prototypes and specific elements that may or may not end up in the game.” At the time of writing, roles from engineering to design and narrative are being advertised, signalling an intended expansion beyond the initial 26-person core team.

Key development facts are as follows:

• Game Title: Hadar (codename)
• Developer: CD Projekt Red
• Genre: Open-world, narrative-driven experience
• Development Team Size: 26 as of February 2026
• Engine: Unreal Engine
• Development Phase: Prototyping, foundations established March 2026
• Job Listings: Multiple open positions (as of June 2026)
• Quoted Commitment: “Creating an emotional, open-world experience that will stay with gamers.”

While the core gameplay, setting, and themes remain unannounced, all signs point to Hadar leveraging CD Projekt Red’s established strengths in narrative complexity and immersive world-building. With the studio’s public roadmap also including new entries in The Witcher and Cyberpunk franchises, there’s a clear focus on iterating successful open-world formulas while exploring fresh IP territory.

Players and investors should expect a lengthy wait for concrete gameplay reveals or launch information. CD Projekt Red’s public statements consistently frame Hadar as being “in the early stages of development,” and the current pace suggests major releases like The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 will precede any full unveiling of the new franchise.