CDPR downsizes Witcher Project Sirius team

The Cuts and the Quest: Inside CD Projekt Red’s Multiplayer Dilemma

Ambitious development projects rarely proceed without bumps, but when massive studios like CD Projekt Red face internal restructuring, the ripple effects can be significant. Currently, the studio is navigating another phase of change within its ambitious multiplayer Witcher project, internally codenamed Project Sirius, signaling a fresh round of resource adjustments for the team.

New reports indicate that Project Sirius is seeing an exodus of talent, with approximately eighteen developers being affected. This means nine team members have been reassigned to other CDPR projects, while nine others have departed the company entirely. While CD Projekt Red has remained silent on these specific figures, the unfolding situation suggests a necessary recalibration of focus within the studio.

Project Sirius has been an ongoing endeavor since 2022, marked by periods of intense development and some significant turbulence. The project already endured a reboot in 2023 that included its own set of personnel adjustments. This history underscores the difficulty of tackling such a complex vision within the demanding landscape of AAA game development.

Despite these shifts, the core mission remains: to attempt to crack the highly competitive multiplayer games market with a title steeped in the rich lore of The Witcher universe. The team has shown resilience, having expanded again, with late 2025 roadmap updates suggesting that around fifty developers were involved in the project at one point. Whether this figure is accurate now, the recent reports suggest a significant slimming down as the studio seeks to streamline its focus.

The ambition of Project Sirius lies in its potential to redefine how sprawling fantasy worlds can be experienced through cooperative gameplay. However, the roadmap is fraught with questions about execution. Can a co-op Witcher game truly find its footing against other established multiplayer franchises? The challenge isn’t just building a world; it’s figuring out how the interactive mechanics will resonate authentically.

The debate centers on authenticity. While exploring multiplayer systems drawn from the Cyberpunk universe might seem intuitively appealing, integrating them successfully into the Witcher setting requires careful consideration. Experts speculate that an approach inspired by classic action-adventure titles, such as Monster Hunter, could prove to be a more fitting and immersive framework for the game’s unique atmosphere.

Ultimately, Project Sirius stands at a fascinating crossroads—a testament to epic storytelling meeting complex technical challenges. The question remains whether these strategic changes will solidify the project’s trajectory or introduce new obstacles on its quest to bring this legendary world into a shared multiplayer experience.