CD Projekt Red CEO Admits Cyberpunk 2077 Never Finished Its Redemption, Puts Hopes on The Witcher 4

CD Projekt Red’s co-CEO Michał Nowakowski says Cyberpunk 2077’s troubled 2020 launch left a permanent scar on the studio’s reputation, admitting, “I’m not 100% convinced we went through the full redemption arc.” Nowakowski hopes The Witcher 4 will win back gamers who “lost faith.”

Cyberpunk 2077, launched in December 2020 after three delays, quickly became known as one of the industry’s most disastrous triple-A releases. The game suffered from significant technical flaws, leading to widespread refund offers, the unprecedented removal from the PlayStation Store, and lawsuits alleging CD Projekt misled investors about the title’s condition. Six months of relentless bug-fixing led to its reinstatement on Sony’s marketplace in June 2021, after CD Projekt stated Cyberpunk 2077’s performance had reached a “satisfying” level.

Despite massive improvements and strong sales, Nowakowski maintains the studio’s name has not fully recovered. In his appearance at an Edge in Person talk at DevGAMM Gdańsk, Nowakowski acknowledged the heavy toll of the launch, stating the period was “heartbreaking” and emphasising the lasting impact on CD Projekt Red’s most valuable asset—its reputation. The game has since accrued an 88% positive rating on Steam and surpassed 35 million copies sold, achieving these numbers faster than the acclaimed The Witcher 3, according to official CD Projekt figures. However, Nowakowski is clear: “I’m convinced that we lost the faith of some people indefinitely, and that’s a fair thing.”

Redemption Undone: Cyberpunk 2077’s Lasting Impact

At the DevGAMM Gdańsk event, Nowakowski offered unvarnished reflections on the consequences of Cyberpunk 2077’s rocky debut. He told the audience:

• “I’m not 100% convinced we went through the full redemption arc.”
• “We lost the faith of some people indefinitely, and that’s a fair thing. But I do hope we will be able to make it back – if not with The Witcher 4, then with whatever comes next.”
• “Our reputation was our biggest asset. That’s what was at stake… the key priority was putting it back on an upward path.”

At launch, negative press and widespread disappointment dominated not only player sentiment but also financial and industry narratives. Following the initial release, PlayStation pulled Cyberpunk 2077 from its digital storefront in an unprecedented move, citing “issues with the performance.” CD Projekt Red implemented intensive update and patch cycles, including six months of major fixes, before Sony reinstated the title in June 2021. At the time, CD Projekt officials declared Cyberpunk 2077’s technical state had reached a level they considered “satisfying.”

Despite a transformative post-launch overhaul, including the lauded “Phantom Liberty” expansion and a steady positive review trend on platforms like Steam (with an 88% positive rating as of the latest tallies), Nowakowski unequivocally recognised the limits of these improvements: “I’m convinced that we lost the faith of some people indefinitely, and that’s a fair thing.”

The Witcher 4: A Bid for Redemption

Looking ahead, Nowakowski staked the studio’s comeback on future projects, with The Witcher 4 representing a focal point: “I do hope we will be able to make it back – if not with The Witcher 4, then with whatever comes next.” The Witcher 4 follows in the wake of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, a title credited with over 50 million sales and near-universal critical acclaim. CD Projekt Red faces the challenge of leveraging these historic successes to restore trust eroded by Cyberpunk 2077’s launch.

“The one positive that came from Cyberpunk 2077’s launch was that the studio was ‘left with seasoned, battle-hardened veterans – leaders who were able to carry a different kind of challenge on their shoulders,’” Nowakowski offered, suggesting the adversity has sharpened their creative and operational approach moving forward. The company’s leadership is intent on learning from both the triumphs and mistakes, aiming for a launch with The Witcher 4 that re-establishes confidence among longtime fans and sceptics alike.

Key Facts – CD Projekt Red, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Witcher 4:

• Cyberpunk 2077’s launch in December 2020 led to PlayStation Store removal, massive refunds, and lawsuits.
• Six months of patches culminated in its June 2021 return to Sony’s marketplace.
• As of 2025, Cyberpunk 2077 has sold 35 million copies, faster than The Witcher 3.
• Steam reviews now stand at 88% positive.
• Leader Michał Nowakowski admits, “I’m not 100% convinced we went through the full redemption arc.”
• CD Projekt Red’s focus is to win back faith, with hopes pinned on The Witcher 4.

Nowakowski’s remarks serve as a rare, candid acknowledgment that commercial recovery does not always equate to regaining trust.