Sagoh
For over a decade, CD Projekt Red has been synonymous with two titans of the gaming industry: the dark, monster-slaying fantasy of The Witcher and the neon-soaked, dystopian sprawl of Cyberpunk 2077. These franchises, rooted in the literary works of Andrzej Sapkowski and the pen-and-paper RPG world of Mike Pondsmith, respectively, have defined the studio’s reputation for narrative-heavy, open-world excellence. However, the Polish developer is currently quietly preparing to break new ground.
Enter "Project Hadar," a mysterious, original intellectual property that represents the most significant shift in the studio’s creative direction since its inception. As the company moves away from adaptations, Hadar stands as the first title built from the ground up entirely in-house. While information remains scarce, recent job postings and official executive statements are beginning to peel back the curtain on what may be the studio’s next magnum opus.
The Genesis of Hadar: A New Foundation
First announced in October 2022, Project Hadar was unveiled as part of the company’s broader long-term strategy. For a studio that has spent its entire history iterating on pre-existing worlds, Hadar is a monumental undertaking. By creating a new IP, CD Projekt Red is essentially looking to establish a brand-new universe where they own every facet of the intellectual property—from the lore and history to the visual language and mechanics—without the constraints of adapting someone else’s vision.
The project is still in the early stages of development, though the studio has reached a critical milestone: the foundational design phase. In March 2024, CEO Michał Nowakowski confirmed that the team had successfully established the core pillars of the universe. This "foundational" work is essential, as it dictates the rules of the world, the tone of the narrative, and the aesthetic constraints that will eventually define the gameplay experience.
Chronology of Development: From Concept to Current Status
To understand where Project Hadar sits in the studio’s massive pipeline, one must look at the timeline of its development:
- October 2022: CD Projekt Red officially reveals the existence of "Project Hadar" during a strategic update, confirming it is an entirely original IP.
- March 2024: CEO Michał Nowakowski announces that the "foundations" of the new IP have been established, signaling the transition from high-level brainstorming to concrete design.
- February 2025: Marcin Blacha, the studio’s Vice President of Narration, issues a public call on social media for an "extraordinary crew" to join the Hadar team, indicating a ramping up of recruitment efforts.
- Present Day: New job listings, specifically for Engineering Directors, have surfaced, providing the most granular detail to date regarding the game’s scope and intent.
While the project is clearly in the pre-production or early development stage, the consistent drumbeat of recruitment suggests that the studio is now shifting its focus toward building the technical infrastructure required to bring this world to life.
The Clues in the Code: What the Job Listings Tell Us
In the gaming industry, job descriptions are often the most reliable "leaks" regarding a title’s direction. For Project Hadar, the recently posted Engineering Director listing has provided a roadmap for what fans should expect.
The job posting explicitly mentions that the successful candidate will "help push the envelope for the next, immersive game in the Hadar world." It continues by stating the studio is aiming for an "emotional, open-world experience that will stay with gamers."
Key Takeaways from the Listings:
- Open-World Focus: The mention of an "open-world" confirms that CD Projekt Red is not straying from their signature genre. They are playing to their strengths, utilizing the engine architecture and design expertise refined during the development of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the post-2.0 update version of Cyberpunk 2077.
- Narrative-Driven Design: A previous writing-focused job listing emphasized a requirement for a candidate "passionate about narrative-driven and emotional design." This confirms that despite the shift in setting, the studio’s "North Star"—the story—remains the priority.
- Single-Player Intent: While the company is experimenting with multiplayer in other projects (like Project Sirius), the emphasis on emotional, narrative-led experiences in the Hadar postings strongly suggests a single-player focus.
Supporting Data: Resource Allocation and Studio Priorities
One of the most telling indicators of a project’s timeline is how the studio allocates its personnel. During a recent earnings report, CD Projekt provided a breakdown of its workforce, which illustrates exactly where Project Hadar sits on their priority list.
| Project | Personnel Count |
|---|---|
| The Witcher 4 (Polaris) | 513 |
| Cyberpunk 2 (Orion) | 163 |
| Project Sirius (Witcher Multiplayer) | 83 |
| Project Hadar | 24 |
With only 24 staff members currently assigned to the team, it is clear that Project Hadar is not yet in full-scale production. The vast majority of the studio’s resources are currently occupied by The Witcher 4 and the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. This suggests that Hadar is a long-term "incubation" project. The studio is allowing a small, elite team to perfect the vision before scaling up the production team, ensuring that the foundation is rock-solid before committing hundreds of developers to the title.
Official Responses and Strategic Implications
The leadership at CD Projekt Red has been careful to frame Project Hadar as a "third pillar" for the company. By balancing the fantasy of The Witcher, the sci-fi grit of Cyberpunk, and the mystery of Hadar, the studio is attempting to insulate itself against market fluctuations and franchise fatigue.
"We are designing specific elements that might be included in the game, creating multiple prototypes," Nowakowski noted during recent investor calls. This approach—prototyping before production—is a direct lesson learned from the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077. The studio is clearly prioritizing stability and creative clarity over aggressive, rushed development cycles.
The strategic implication here is clear: CD Projekt Red wants to be a multi-franchise powerhouse. By owning the Hadar IP, they avoid licensing fees and royalty splits, potentially increasing their profit margins significantly over the long term. If Hadar succeeds, it gives the company a third major engine to drive their growth, allowing them to cycle through releases without the massive gaps that historically plagued the studio.
The Path Forward: What Does "Hadar" Mean for Players?
For fans, the wait for Hadar will be substantial. Given the current staffing levels, it is highly unlikely we will see a gameplay reveal or a title announcement for several years. However, the mere existence of the project is a promising sign for the industry.
In an era where many major publishers are retreating into safe remakes, remasters, and annual sequels, a massive studio like CD Projekt Red betting on an entirely new, original IP is a bold move. It speaks to a commitment to "the art of the game."
We know the studio values "emotional" impact—a quality that has made their previous games staples of the RPG genre. If they can capture that same magic in a world that isn’t beholden to the expectations of book readers or tabletop players, Project Hadar could define the next generation of Western RPGs.
As of now, Hadar remains a shadow on the horizon—a collection of code, early concept art, and high ambitions. But with the team currently building the, as they put it, "extraordinary crew," the foundation is being laid for something that aims to stand toe-to-toe with the legends that came before it. The gaming world will be watching closely, waiting to see if this new, original world can capture the same lightning in a bottle that made the White Wolf and Night City such iconic cultural touchstones.
Asro
