CD Projekt Red Won’t Replace Devs With AI, Boss Says It Won’t Make The Witcher 5

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CEO Believes AI Is Not Responsible For Layoffs In The Industry!

Story Highlight
  • CDPR boss says the studio won’t lay off devs because of AI, as it is incapable of making entire games.
  • He believes AI is not directly responsible for the recent surge of layoffs in the industry.
  • CDPR only sees AI as a useful tool for developers, but it cannot replace their expertise.

CD Projekt Red is prepping a multitude of anticipated games, so the developer headcount has been rising steadily for a while. Things aren’t so bright for most of the gaming scene, which has seen a huge surge in layoffs and studio closures recently.

However, the CDPR boss believes AI has no direct role in these global dismissals, despite widespread industry speculation about the technology. Instead, he attributes these layoffs to factors like ongoing project cancellations.

Why it matters: CD Projekt Red executives have a moderate approach to AI, which is good news for teams working on its various games currently in development.  

The Witcher 4
CD Projekt Red is developing The Witcher 4 and multiple other games.

During CDPR’s investor call for Q3 2025 earnings, Michal was asked whether the studio would reduce its headcount due to AI tools to aid in game development. However, the executive does not believe that AI use would prompt CDPR to take such drastic actions in the future. 

 I don’t recall a single time when it would be attributable directly to AI. […] And as for reducing headcount thanks to AI – I don’t imagine that.

-CD Projekt Red Co-CEO, Michal Nowakowski.

He argues that AI cannot create entire games from scratch, such as The Witcher 5 or 6, regardless of how much it improves in the future. Therefore, he expects the AI tools to be helpful to the different teams rather than risking their livelihoods.

 it’s [AI] not gonna be making The Witcher 5.

Witcher 4 Tech Demo
The Witcher 4 is not launching next year, as its release window remains unconfirmed.  

The studio has continued its hiring spree of talented developers over the last few months to bolster its teams for Cyberpunk 2 and The Witcher 4, with no signs of major layoffs on the horizon

What do you think of CDPR’s stance on generative AI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

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