CD Projekt Learns From 2020 - Next-gen Cyberpunk 2077 Will be Released When Ready
It looks like CD Projekt isn't quite sure whether it will be bale to release next-gen editions of Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt this year. The developer indicated that the PS5 and XSX/S versions of both games may come later.
In yesterday's summary of the first half of 2021, CD Projekt Group announced that the dedicated next-gen version of Cyberpunk 2077 is planned for the end of 2021. However, this is not at all certain. Michal Nowakowski, a member of CD Projekt's management board, said in a in an investor call that the game's debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S could take place at a later date. This is supposed to be the result of lessons learned from last year (i.e. most likely the awful launch condition of Cyberpunk 2077 on PS4 and XONE):
"The goal is to release a next-gen version of Cyberpunk 2077 at the end of this year. However, bearing in mind the lessons we've learned over the past year and the fact that the project is still in development, we can't say for sure that the production schedule won't change."
Nowakowski also didn't rule out a similar delay for the next-gen release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, although in this case it depends on Saber Interactive, the studio responsible for the project. Nevertheless, he assured that CD Projekt still considers this year as the target date for the debut of both games on PS5 and XSX/S.
From the financial report we know that about 40% of CD Projekt RED studio's employees are working on the basic version of Cyberpunk 2077, including the release on 9th-gen consoles. Perhaps Nowakowski's words are just a precaution in case of unforeseen obstacles, such as a possible recurrence of the coronavirus which is making its presence felt again in many countries.
CD Projekt is still in the midst of a "transformation", which may also translate into delays in its plans for Cyberpunk 2077. Gamers can only hope that the debs will get around after all, not only when it comes to release on newer consoles.
