CD Projekt Red Announces New IP at Warsaw Games Week

In a surprise announcement that has sent waves throughout the gaming community, CD Projekt Red revealed their next major project at this year's Warsaw Games Week. The Polish developer, known worldwide for The Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077, is venturing into entirely new territory with an original IP currently codenamed "Project Nebula."

The announcement came during the studio's keynote presentation, where CEO Marcin Iwiński took the stage to share the news with an enthusiastic audience. "After 15 years of developing within established universes, we felt it was time to create something entirely our own," Iwiński explained. "Project Nebula represents our boldest creative undertaking yet."

A New Direction

While details remain carefully guarded, the brief teaser trailer showcased what appears to be a science fiction setting with fantasy elements. The visuals suggest a blend of interstellar exploration and mystical environments unlike anything we've seen from the studio before.

Game Director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, who previously served as director on The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, shared some insights: "We're combining our storytelling expertise with new gameplay mechanics that we've never attempted before. We're taking everything we've learned from our previous games and applying it to a fresh concept."

"Project Nebula represents the next evolution of our studio's creative vision. We're pushing beyond the boundaries of traditional RPGs to create something truly unique."

— Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, Game Director

Technical Ambitions

The studio confirmed that Project Nebula is being developed on their next-generation REDengine, which has undergone significant improvements since Cyberpunk 2077. The team emphasized their commitment to delivering a polished experience at launch, with development already progressing for over two years.

"We've rebuilt several core systems from the ground up," explained Technical Director Jakub Knapik. "Our animation systems, AI behaviors, and environmental interactions have all been enhanced to support the new gameplay features we're implementing."

Release Timeframe and Platforms

While no specific release date was announced, CD Projekt Red indicated that Project Nebula is targeted for a 2026 release window. The game is being developed for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with the studio taking a "next-gen only" approach to ensure their creative vision isn't compromised.

The company also confirmed their new approach to development transparency, promising regular updates throughout the development process. "We've learned valuable lessons about managing expectations," Iwiński added. "We'll be sharing more details about Project Nebula when we're ready to show meaningful progress."

Industry Impact

The announcement has significant implications for Poland's game development industry, which has grown substantially over the past decade. CD Projekt Red's continued investment in new IPs demonstrates the maturity and confidence of the Polish development scene.

Adam Kiciński, Joint CEO of CD Projekt, emphasized the importance of this new direction for the company's future: "The Witcher and Cyberpunk remain important parts of our portfolio, but creating new worlds and stories is essential for our studio's growth and creative fulfillment."

Industry analysts have responded positively to the announcement, with many seeing it as a strategic move to diversify the studio's portfolio while building on their established strengths in narrative-driven games.

Looking Ahead

CD Projekt Red confirmed that more information about Project Nebula will be revealed at next year's E3, where they plan to showcase early gameplay footage. Until then, fans will undoubtedly analyze every frame of the teaser trailer for clues about what to expect from this exciting new direction for one of Poland's most prestigious game developers.

Warsaw Games Week continues through the weekend, with additional panels featuring CD Projekt Red developers scheduled to discuss their approach to storytelling and world-building in their games.