CD Projekt#REDengine

File:Marcin Iwiński.jpg

File:CDProjekt-logo.svg

CD Projekt was founded in May 1994 by Marcin Iwiński and Michał Kiciński.{{cite web|url=http://cdprojekt.com/company.asp?id=g_history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040617155324/https://www.cdprojekt.com/company.asp?id=g_history|title=» History|archive-date=17 June 2004|access-date=6 January 2018|website=CD Projekt}} According to Iwiński, although he enjoyed playing video games as a child they were scarce in the Polish People's Republic (which experienced political unrest, martial law, and goods shortages during the 1980s). Marcin Iwiński, in high school, was selling cracked copies of Western video games at a Warsaw marketplace (stalls on the streets with many such products were popular in the newly established and aggressively privatised Third Polish Republic of the 1990s).{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/features/2014/7/16/5884227/cd-projekt-the-witcher-3|title=How The Team Behind The Witcher Conquered Poland|first=Russ|last=Pitts|work=Polygon|date=16 July 2014|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124165950/http://www.polygon.com/features/2014/7/16/5884227/cd-projekt-the-witcher-3|archive-date=24 November 2015|url-status=live}} In high school, Iwiński met Kiciński, who became his business partner; at that time, Kiciński was also selling video games.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-11-06-seeing-red-the-story-of-cd-projekt|title=Seeing Red: The story of CD Projekt|first=Robert|last=Purchese|work=Eurogamer|date=17 May 2015|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108032538/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-11-06-seeing-red-the-story-of-cd-projekt|archive-date=8 January 2020|url-status=live}}

Wanting to conduct business legitimately, Iwiński and Kiciński began importing games from US retailers and were the first importers of CD-ROM games.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.develop-online.net/interview/the-wild-road-to-the-witcher-3/0207553|title=The wild road to The Witcher 3|first=Craig|last=Crapple|magazine=Develop|date=10 June 2015|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160509053559/http://www.develop-online.net/interview/the-wild-road-to-the-witcher-3/0207553|archive-date=9 May 2016|url-status=live}} After Poland's transition to a primarily market-based economy in the early 90s, they founded their own company. Iwiński and Kiciński founded CD Projekt in the second quarter of 1994. With only $2,000, they used a friend's flat as a rent-free office.

When CD Projekt was founded, their biggest challenge was overcoming video game piracy. The company was one of the first in Poland to localize games; according to Iwiński, most of their products were sold to "mom-and-pop shops". CD Projekt began partial localization for developers such as Seven Stars and Leryx-LongSoft in 1996, and full-scale localization a year later.{{cite book|title=Video Games Around the World|page=416|author=Mark J. P. Wolf|isbn=978-0-262-52716-3|publisher=MIT Press|date=15 May 2015}} According to Iwiński, one of their first successful localization titles was for Ace Ventura; whereas previous localizations had only sold copies in the hundreds, Ace Ventura sold in the thousands, establishing the success of their localization approach.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/306897/Hear_how_CD_Projekt_Red_built_its_business_on_the_back_of_Ace_Ventura.php | title = Hear how CD Projekt Red built its business on the back of Ace Ventura | first = Alex | last = Wawro | date = 2 October 2017 | access-date = 2 October 2017 | work = Gamasutra | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171003075833/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/306897/Hear_how_CD_Projekt_Red_built_its_business_on_the_back_of_Ace_Ventura.php | archive-date = 3 October 2017 | url-status = dead }} With their methods affirmed, CD Projekt approached BioWare and Interplay Entertainment for the Polish localization of Baldur's Gate. They expected the title to become popular in Poland, and felt that no retailer would be able to translate the text from English to Polish. To increase the title's popularity in Poland, CD Projekt added items to the game's packaging and hired well-known Polish actors to voice its characters. Their first attempt was successful, with 18,000 units shipped on the game's release day (higher than the average shipments of other games at the time).

The company continued to work with Interplay after the release of Baldur's Gate, collaborating on a PC port for the sequel Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. To develop the port, CD Projekt hired Sebastian Zieliński (who had developed Mortyr 2093-1944) and Adam Badowski. Six months after development began, Interplay experienced financial problems and cancelled the PC version. CD Projekt continued to localize other games after Dark Alliance{{'}}s cancellation, and received Business Gazelle awards in 2003 and 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.gry-online.pl/polski-wydawca.asp?ID=288|title=CDP.pl / CD Projekt|work=Gry-Online|access-date=21 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302095726/http://www.gry-online.pl/polski-wydawca.asp?ID=288|archive-date=2 March 2012|url-status=live}}

File:CD Projekt Red logo.svg

Enthusiasm for game distribution ebbed, and CD Projekt's founders wondered if the company should continue as a distributor or a game developer after Dark Alliance{{'}}s cancellation. With the game cancelled and its code owned by CD Projekt, the company planned to use them to develop their first original game. They intended to develop a game series based on Andrzej Sapkowski's Wiedźmin books (which were popular in Poland) and the author accepted the company's development proposal. The franchise rights had been sold to Metropolis Software in 1997 and a playable version of the first chapter was made, but then left abandoned.{{Cite web|last=Purchese|first=Robert|date=19 May 2015|title=The Witcher game that never was|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-06-16-the-witcher-game-that-never-was|access-date=15 July 2020|website=Eurogamer}} CD Projekt acquired the rights to the Wiedźmin franchise in 2002. According to Iwiński, he and Kiciński had no idea how to develop a video game at that time.

{{quote box|quote=CD Projekt Red created a demo in a year. "It was a piece of crap," chuckles Adam Badowski. "We tried to convince Marcin and Michal not to go on the first business trip with the demo, but they decided..." to show it to a dozen publishers all around Europe on the most expensive and powerful laptop money could buy, Iwiński fills in. "After two weeks of meetings, we get two emails saying, in a very nice British way, 'It's not so good'. So pretty much: 'Boys, go home'. We were shattered. We were like, 'Oh my god we suck'".|source= — CD Projekt co-founder Marcin Iwiński, on publisher rejection of the Witcher demo|width=31%}}

To develop the game, the company formed a video-game development studio (CD Projekt Red Sp. z o.o., headed by Sebastian Zieliński) in Łódź in 2002. The studio made a demonstration game, which Adam Badowski called "a piece of crap" in retrospect. The demo was a role-playing game with a top-down perspective, similar to Dark Alliance and Diablo, and used the game engine which powered Mortyr.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/the-witcher-was-almost-a-diablo-clone-1706288641|title=The Witcher Was Almost A Diablo Clone|first=Patrick|last=Klepek|work=Kotaku|date=22 May 2015|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116114931/http://kotaku.com/the-witcher-was-almost-a-diablo-clone-1706288641|archive-date=16 November 2015|url-status=live}} Iwiński and Kiciński pitched the demo to a number of publishers, without success. The Łódź office closed and the staff, except for Zieliński, moved to the Warsaw headquarters.

Zieliński left the company, and Kiciński headed the project. Although the game's development continued, the demo was abandoned. According to CD Projekt, the development team had different ideas for the game and lacked overall direction; as a result, it was returned to the drawing board in 2003.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/26/the-witcher-was-nearly-a-diablo-inspired-top-down-arpg|title=The Witcher Was Nearly A Diablo Inspired Top-down ARPG|first=Vikki|last=Blake|work=IGN|date=26 May 2015|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126144624/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/26/the-witcher-was-nearly-a-diablo-inspired-top-down-arpg|archive-date=26 November 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/news/the-witcher-originally-developed-as-a-pointandclick-rpg-32945|title=The Witcher Originally Developed as a Point-and-Click RPG|first=Anthony|last=LaBella|work=Game Revolution|date=22 May 2015|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910104754/http://www.gamerevolution.com/news/the-witcher-originally-developed-as-a-pointandclick-rpg-32945|archive-date=10 September 2015|url-status=live}} The team, unfamiliar with video-game development, spent nearly two years organising production. They received assistance from BioWare, who helped promote the game at the 2004 Electronic Entertainment Expo by offering CD Projekt space in their booth next to Jade Empire. BioWare also licensed their Aurora game engine to the company.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamezone.com/originals/the_witcher_2_vs_dragon_age_2|title=The Witcher 2 vs. Dragon Age II|first=Stefanie|last=Fogel|work=GameZone|date=27 September 2011|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229221704/http://www.gamezone.com/originals/the_witcher_2_vs_dragon_age_2|archive-date=29 February 2016|url-status=live}}

The game's budget exceeded expectations. The original 15-person development team expanded to about 100, at a cost of 20 million złoty. According to Iwiński, content was removed from the game for budgetary reasons but the characters' personalities were retained; however, there was difficulty in translating the game's Polish text into English.{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/03/26/interview-cd-projekt-on-the-witcher/|title=RPS Interview: CD Projekt on The Witcher|first=Alec|last=Meer|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|date=26 March 2008|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030114643/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/03/26/interview-cd-projekt-on-the-witcher/|archive-date=30 October 2015|url-status=live}} Atari agreed to publish the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/02/05/atari-to-publish-the-witcher/|title=Atari to publish The Witcher|first=James|last=Ransom-Wiley|date=5 February 2007|access-date=21 October 2015|work=Joystiq|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222103454/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/05/atari-to-publish-the-witcher/|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}} After five years of development, the game brought Wiedźmin to an international audience, and so the company adopted the English name, The Witcher, coined by Adrian Chmielarz.{{efn|Chmielarz's claim to the term "Witcher" is disputed by Sapkowski in the latter's 2005 book-interview (see The Witcher § The name "Witcher")}} The Witcher was released in 2007 to generally positive reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-witcher/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=The Witcher for PC reviews|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105021936/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/the-witcher|archive-date=5 November 2015|url-status=live}}

Sales were satisfactory, and the development of sequels began almost immediately after The Witcher{{'s}} release. The team began the design work for The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, and experimented with consoles to develop a new engine for The Witcher 3. Their development was halted when the team began work on The Witcher: White Wolf, a console version of The Witcher. Although they collaborated with French studio Widescreen Games for the console port, it entered development limbo. Widescreen demanded more manpower, money and time to develop the title, complaining that they were not being paid;{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/financial-dispute-puts-the-witcher-games-on-hold|title=Financial dispute puts The Witcher games on hold|first=Matt|last=Martin|work=Gameindustry.biz|date=29 April 2009|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222103251/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/financial-dispute-puts-the-witcher-games-on-hold|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}} according to Iwiński, CD Projekt paid them more than their own staff members. The team cancelled the project, suspending its development.{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-witcher-2-almost-didnt-happen/|title=The Witcher 2 almost didn't happen|first=Perry|last=Vandell|date=9 November 2013|access-date=21 October 2015|work=PC Gamer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906064854/http://www.pcgamer.com/the-witcher-2-almost-didnt-happen/|archive-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live}} Unhappy with the decision, Atari demanded that CD Projekt repay them for funding the console port development and Iwiński agreed that Atari would be the North American publisher of the sequel of The Witcher 2. CD Projekt acquired Metropolis Software in 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/18/metropolis-joins-cd-projekt-group|title=Metropolis Joins CD Projekt Group|work=IGN|date=18 February 2009|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211215318/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/18/metropolis-joins-cd-projekt-group|archive-date=11 December 2017|url-status=live}}

The dispute over White Wolf was costly; the company faced bankruptcy,{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/cd-projekt-almost-failed-before-the-witcher-2-265199.phtml|title=CD Projekt almost failed before The Witcher 2|first=Joshua|last=Derocher|date=11 August 2015|access-date=21 October 2015|work=Destructoid|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912135856/http://www.destructoid.com/cd-projekt-almost-failed-before-the-witcher-2-265199.phtml|archive-date=12 September 2015|url-status=live}} with the 2008 financial crisis as a contributing factor. To stay afloat, the team decided to focus on The Witcher 2 with the Witcher 3 engine. When the engine (known as Red Engine) was finished, the game could be ported to other consoles.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-the-making-of-the-witcher-2|title=The Making of The Witcher 2|first=Richard|last=Leadbetter|work=Eurogamer|date=18 May 2012|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001075625/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-the-making-of-the-witcher-2|archive-date=1 October 2015|url-status=live}} To develop The Witcher 2, the company suspended development of Metropolis' first-person shooter, titled They.{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2010/01/28/cd-projekt-puts-fps-they-on-hold-to-work-on-witcher-2/|title=CD Projekt puts FPS "They" on hold to work on Witcher 2|first=Stephany|last=Nunneley|work=VG247|date=28 January 2012|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921013058/http://www.vg247.com/2010/01/28/cd-projekt-puts-fps-they-on-hold-to-work-on-witcher-2/|archive-date=21 September 2015|url-status=live}} After three-and-a-half years of development, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings was released in 2011 to critical praise and sales of more than 1.7 million copies.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/we-re-ready-to-move-on-cd-projekt-red-on-the-witcher-hearts-of-stone-and-cyberpunk-2077/0157411|title='We're ready to move on': CD Projekt Red on The Witcher, Hearts of Stone and Cyberpunk 2077|first=Matthew|last=Davis|work=MCV|date=15 October 2015|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018024714/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/we-re-ready-to-move-on-cd-projekt-red-on-the-witcher-hearts-of-stone-and-cyberpunk-2077/0157411|archive-date=18 October 2015|url-status=live}}

After The Witcher 2, CD Projekt wanted to develop an open-world game of a quality similar to their other games, and the company wanted to add features to avoid criticism that it was Witcher 2.5. They wanted to push the game's graphics boundaries, releasing it only for the PC and eighth-generation consoles. This triggered debate on the team, some of whom wanted to release the game for older consoles to maximise profit. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt took three-and-a-half years to develop and cost over $81 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/this-is-how-much-the-witcher-3-cost-to-make/1100-6430409/|title=This is How Much The Witcher 3 Cost to Make|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=GameSpot|date=9 September 2015|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170611123858/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/this-is-how-much-the-witcher-3-cost-to-make/1100-6430409/|archive-date=11 June 2017|url-status=live}} A report alleged that the team had to crunch extensively for a year in order to meet release date deadlines.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/witcher-3-studio-responds-to-crunch-accusations/1100-6422841/|title=Witcher 3 Studio Responds to Crunch Accusations|first=Rob|last=Crossley|work=GameSpot|date=9 October 2014|access-date=17 December 2020}} After multiple delays, it was released in May 2015 to critical praise.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-witcher-3-delayed-again/1100-6424075/|title=The Witcher 3 Delayed Again|first=Rob|last=Crossley|work=GameSpot|date=8 December 2014|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112023548/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-witcher-3-delayed-again/1100-6424075/|archive-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live}} Wild Hunt was commercially successful, selling six million copies in its first six weeks and giving the studio a profit of 236 million złoty ($62.5 million) in the first half of 2015.{{cite web|last1=Kerr|first1=Chris|title=Video: CD Projekt's budget breakdown of The Witcher 3|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/253228/CD_Projekt_Red_reveals_how_much_it_spent_on_The_Witcher_3.php|website=Gamasutra|publisher=UBM plc|access-date=14 October 2015|date=9 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017235703/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/253228/CD_Projekt_Red_reveals_how_much_it_spent_on_The_Witcher_3.php|archive-date=17 October 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web| title = The Witcher 3 sells 6m copies in six weeks| date = 26 August 2015| work = Eurogamer| url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-26-the-witcher-3-sells-6m-copies-in-six-weeks| first = Robert| last = Purchese| access-date = 27 August 2015| archive-url = https://archive.today/20150826180532/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-26-the-witcher-3-sells-6m-copies-in-six-weeks| archive-date = 26 August 2015| url-status = live}} The team released 16 free content downloads and two paid expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/07/2-massive-expansions-announced-for-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt|title=2 Massive Expansion Announced For The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt|first=Daniel|last=Krupa|work=IGN|date=7 April 2015|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103011850/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/07/2-massive-expansions-announced-for-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt|archive-date=3 November 2015|url-status=live}} The team decided that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt would be the final game in the series with Geralt.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/witcher-3-may-not-be-final-witcher-game/1100-6403538/|title=Witcher 3 may not be final Witcher game|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=GameSpot|date=6 February 2013|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112160358/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/witcher-3-may-not-be-final-witcher-game/1100-6403538/|archive-date=12 January 2016|url-status=live}} Regarding the future of the Witcher series, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, game director of The Witcher 3, stated in May 2016 that he hoped to continue working with the series sometime in the future, but had nothing planned at the time.{{cite web|last1=Purchese|first1=Robert|title=No new content for The Witcher 3 after Blood and Wine comes out|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-04-28-no-new-content-for-the-witcher-3-after-blood-and-wine-comes-out|website=Eurogamer|date=10 May 2016|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517080827/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-04-28-no-new-content-for-the-witcher-3-after-blood-and-wine-comes-out|archive-date=17 May 2016|url-status=live}} As of 2017, the series had sold over 33 million copies.{{cite web|url=https://wccftech.com/witcher-33-million-witcher-3-2017-pc/|title=Witcher Series Sells Over 33 Million Copies in 10 Years; Witcher 3 2017 PC Sales Equal PS4/XO Sales|date=23 March 2018|website=Wccftech|archive-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180703193556/https://wccftech.com/witcher-33-million-witcher-3-2017-pc/|url-status=live|access-date=31 August 2018}} A spin-off of the series, Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, based on the popular card game in The Witcher 3, was released in 2018.{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/06/13/gwent-witcher-3-digital-card-game/ | title=Gwent from 'Witcher 3' is now its own digital card game | work=Engadget | publisher=AOL | first=Nick | last=Summer | date=13 June 2016 | access-date=13 June 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613232320/https://www.engadget.com/2016/06/13/gwent-witcher-3-digital-card-game/ | archive-date=13 June 2016 | url-status=live }}

The success of The Witcher 3 enabled CD Projekt to expand. In March 2016, the company announced that they had another role-playing game in development, and that the title is scheduled to be released in the period of 2017 to 2021. They also announced plans for expansion, where the Red division will expand two-fold.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-03-11-is-witcher-dev-cd-projekt-red-exploring-virtual-reality|title=It's been a great year for Witcher 3 dev CD Projekt. Now what?|first=Robert|last=Purchese|work=Eurogamer|date=11 March 2016|access-date=11 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311192531/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-03-11-is-witcher-dev-cd-projekt-red-exploring-virtual-reality|archive-date=11 March 2016|url-status=live}} It also listed itself at Warsaw Stock Exchange, riding on the success of The Witcher 3{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}. In March 2018, the opening of a new studio in Wrocław was announced. Acquired from a studio called Strange New Things, it is headed by former Techland COO Paweł Zawodny and composed of other ex-Techland, IO Interactive, and CD Projekt Red employees.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cd-projekt-red-launches-a-new-studio-to-support-cyberpunk-2077/|title=CD Projekt Red launches a new studio to support Cyberpunk 2077|first=Andy|last=Chalk|date=21 March 2018|website=PC Gamer|archive-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180410093003/https://www.pcgamer.com/cd-projekt-red-launches-a-new-studio-to-support-cyberpunk-2077/|url-status=live|access-date=10 April 2018}} In August 2018, CD Projekt established Spokko, a development studio focused on mobile gaming.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/324877/The_Witcher_creator_CD_Projekt_forms_new_mobile_studio_Spokko.php |title=The Witcher creator CD Projekt has opened a new mobile studio |first=Chris |last=Kerr |date=20 August 2018 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=20 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820235013/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/324877/The_Witcher_creator_CD_Projekt_forms_new_mobile_studio_Spokko.php |archive-date=20 August 2018 |url-status=dead }} The Witcher 3{{'}}s success as well as CD Projekt RED's customer-friendly policies during that period enabled the studio to earn a lot of goodwill within the gaming community. However, the studio's working conditions were questioned after disgruntled employees flooded the company's profile at Glassdoor with negative reviews. Iwinski later responded by saying that the studio's approach to making games "is not for everyone".{{cite web |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=16 October 2017 |title=CD Projekt Red: "This approach to making games is not for everyone" |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/cd-projekt-red-this-approach-to-making-games-is-not-for-everyone |access-date=22 October 2024 |work=Eurogamer}}

Following the successful release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Cyberpunk 2077, the studio's next title, became one of the most anticipated video games of all time.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-12-11-cyberpunk-2077-launches-with-some-real-dystopia-in-tow-opinion|title=Cyberpunk 2077 launches with some real dystopia in tow|first=Rob|last=Fahey|work=Gameindustry.biz|date=11 December 2020|access-date=17 December 2020}} It is an open-world role-playing game based on the Cyberpunk 2020 tabletop system created by Mike Pondsmith. The game was initially introduced in May 2012.{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/11/17/cyberpunk-2077/2/|title=Cyberpunk 2077 is CD Projekt Red's 'Fight Club' — it won't talk about it|first=Dan|last=Crawley|work=VentureBeat|date=17 November 2014|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117054055/http://venturebeat.com/2014/11/17/cyberpunk-2077/2/|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}} The hype for the title, alongside the release of The Witcher TV series on Netflix, enabled CD Projekt to become the most valuable video game company in Europe in May 2020, surpassing Ubisoft.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cd-projekt-surpasses-ubisoft-to-become-europes-mos/1100-6477551/|title=CD Projekt Surpasses Ubisoft To Become Europe's Most Valuable Game Company|first=Hayley|last=Williams|work=GameSpot|date=21 May 2020|access-date=21 December 2010}} The game suffered multiple delays, with the team stressing that they would not release the game until it was ready.{{Cite web|date=18 June 2020|first=Alex|last=Avard|title=Cyberpunk 2077 delayed again: "We won't ship something which is not ready"|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/cyberpunk-2077-delay-november/|access-date=20 June 2020|website=gamesradar}} While management introduced a "non-obligatory crunch" model for the team to lessen the effects of game development on their personal lives,{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cd-projekt-boss-re-commits-to-non-obligatory-crunch-on-cyberpunk-2077/|title=CD Projekt boss re-commits to 'non-obligatory crunch' on Cyberpunk 2077|first=Andy|last=Chalk|work=PC Gamer|date=14 June 2019|access-date=17 December 2020}} management broke their promise and forced all developers to crunch and work six days a week.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/29/21494499/cyberpunk-2077-development-crunch-time-cd-projekt-red|title=Cyberpunk 2077 dev breaks promise, will force employees to work six days a week|first=Taylor|last=Lives|work=The Verge|date=29 September 2020|access-date=17 December 2020}} The game was released in December 2020. The PC version received generally positive reviews and became one of the biggest video game launches for PC. The development cost was fully recouped based on pre-order sales alone.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/cyberpunk-2077/sales-pre-orders|title=Cyberpunk 2077 was profitable for CD Projekt before it even launched|first=Dustin|last=Bailey|work=PCGamesN|date=11 December 2020|access-date=17 December 2020}} However, the console versions were plagued with technical issues and software bugs, with some players reporting that these versions were unplayable. The studio was accused of hiding the poor state of the console versions from its customers during the game's marketing. On 18 December 2020 the game was removed from the PlayStation online store.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/dec/14/cyberpunk-2077-developers-offer-refunds-after-bug-ridden-launch|title=Cyberpunk 2077 developers offer refunds after bug-ridden launch|first=Alex|last=Hern|work=The Guardian|date=14 December 2020|access-date=17 December 2020}} Kiciński acknowledged that the company's approach to marketing the console versions eroded players' trust in the studio, and promised to release patches for the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/12/cost_of_fixing_cyberpunk_2077_irrelevant_says_cd_projekt_red|title=Cost of Fixing Cyberpunk 2077 Irrelevant, Says CD Projekt RED|first=Sammy|last=Barker|work=Push Square|date=16 December 2020|access-date=17 December 2020}}

In early February 2021, CD Projekt Red was hit by a ransomware attack, with the attackers able to acquire the source code to several of the studio's games, including Gwent, The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 as well as administrative files.{{Cite web|title=CDProject Hacked, GWENT Source Code Leaked|url=https://eip.gg/cdprojekt-hacked-gwent-source-code-leaked/|access-date=22 May 2021|website=EIP Gaming|date=10 February 2021 }} The attackers demanded CD Projekt Red pay them a large sum of money within a few days under threat of leaking or selling the stolen code and files. CD Projekt refused to negotiate with the attackers, stating to the press that "We will not give in to the demands or negotiate with the actor", affirming no personal information was obtained in the attack and that they were working with law enforcement to track down the attackers.{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55994787 | title = Cyberpunk 2077 makers CD Projekt hit by ransomware hack | first = Cristina | last= Criddle | date = 9 February 2021 |access-date = 19 February 2021 | work = BBC News}}{{Cite web|last=Schreier|first=Jason|date=25 February 2021|title=CD Projekt Ransomware Hack Severely Disrupts Work on Cyberpunk Updates|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-24/cd-projekt-hack-severely-disrupts-work-on-cyberpunk-game-updates|access-date=22 May 2021|website=Bloomberg}} Security analysts saw the code being auctioned on the dark web for a minimum price of {{US$|1 million}}, and subsequently closed later with the attackers stating they had received an offer that satisfied them.{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/02/cd-projekt-red-source-code-reportedly-sells-for-millions-in-dark-web-auction/ | title = CD Projekt Red source code reportedly sells for millions in dark Web auction | first= Kyle | last = Orland | date = 12 February 2021 |access-date = 19 February 2021 | work = Ars Technica }} Within a week of these auctions, the code was being shared online via social media, and CD Projekt began using DMCA takedown notices to remove postings of its code.{{cite web | url = https://www.vice.com/en/article/cd-projekt-red-uses-dmca-to-take-down-tweets-sharing-stolen-game-code/ | title = CD Projekt Red Uses DMCA to Take Down Tweets Sharing Stolen Game Code | first = Lorenzo | last = Franceschi-Bicchierai | date = 19 February 2021 | access-date= 19 February 2021 | work = Vice}}

In March 2021, CD Projekt Red acquired Vancouver, Canada-based Digital Scapes Studios and rebranded the studio as CD Projekt Red Vancouver.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cyberpunk-2077-dev-acquires-co-developer-digital-scapes-to-create-its-first-canadian-studio/1100-6489514/|title=Cyberpunk 2077 Dev Acquires Co-Developer Digital Scapes To Create Its First Canadian Studio|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=GameSpot|date=30 March 2021|access-date=30 March 2021}} In May, it was reported that Tomaszkiewicz had resigned from studio following workplace bullying allegations.{{cite web |last=Winslow |first=Jeremy |date=4 May 2021 |title=The Witcher 3 Director Leaves CDPR Following "Workplace Bullying" Allegations |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-witcher-3-director-leaves-cdpr-following-workplace-bullying-allegations/1100-6491003/ |access-date=4 May 2021 |work=GameSpot}} In October 2021, CD Projekt Red acquired Boston-based independent studio The Molasses Flood, the developer of The Flame in the Flood.{{cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=22 October 2021 |title=CD Projekt Announces "Ambitious" Game Coming From Newly Acquired Studio |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cd-projekt-announces-ambitious-game-coming-from-newly-acquired-studio/1100-6497318/ |access-date=22 October 2021 |work=GameSpot}}

On 6 October 2022, CD Projekt announced a slew of new projects that were in the works. These included a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, codenamed Orion, and several new titles in The Witcher series. These included a new trilogy of games, the first of which is codenamed Polaris, a standalone game known as Canis Majoris (later confirmed to be a remake of the first Witcher game{{Cite magazine |last=LeBlanc |first=Wesley |title=CD Projekt Red Reveals Codename Canis Majoris Is A Remake Of The First Witcher Game |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/10/26/cd-projekt-red-reveals-codename-canis-majoris-is-a-remake-of-the-first-witcher-game |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026142838/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/10/26/cd-projekt-red-reveals-codename-canis-majoris-is-a-remake-of-the-first-witcher-game |url-status=live |archive-date=26 October 2022 |access-date=3 March 2024 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}}), and a single-player/multiplayer hybrid game from The Molasses Flood.{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Victoria |date=4 October 2022 |title=CD Projekt Red confirms Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, next Witcher trilogy and new IP |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/cd-projekt-red-announces-cyberpunk-2077-sequel-future-witcher-projects-outlined |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}

In December, it was announced that active development on Gwent would end after 2023. Instead of shutting down completely, the game would be controlled by the community, allowing players to determine matters like balance decisions.{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=6 December 2022 |title=CD Projekt Red is ending Gwent support |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/6/23496217/gwent-ending-cd-projekt-red-the-witcher-monster-slayer |access-date=3 March 2024 |website=The Verge |language=en}} 30 members of the Gwent development team were laid off in June 2023.{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Victoria |date=1 June 2023 |title=Witcher developer laying off 30 staff as card game Gwent switches to community-run model |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/witcher-developer-lays-off-30-staff-as-card-game-gwent-switches-to-community-run-model |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}} The game's final update was released in October 2023.{{Cite news |last=Wales |first=Matt |date=18 October 2023 |title=Witcher spin-off Gwent's final update now here, bringing development to end |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/witcher-card-game-gwents-development-now-officially-ended-with-one-final-update |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}

On 20 March 2023, CD Projekt announced its intentions to write-off funds allocated to the development of Project Sirius, and that work would need to be restarted from scratch.{{Cite web |last= |date=20 March 2023 |title=Current report no. 8/2023 |url=https://www.cdprojekt.com/en/investors/regulatory-announcements/current-report-no-8-2023/ |access-date=3 March 2024 |website=CD PROJEKT |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=21 March 2023 |title=The Witcher spin-off Project Sirius sounds like it's being rebooted from scratch |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/the-witcher-spin-off-project-sirius-sounds-like-its-being-rebooted-from-scratch |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}} That May, 29 employees of The Molasses Flood were laid off once changes were made to Project Sirius.{{Cite news |last=Wales |first=Matt |date=15 May 2023 |title=The Witcher spin-off studio The Molasses Flood hit by layoffs after project reboot |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/the-witcher-spin-off-studio-the-molasses-flood-hit-by-layoffs-following-project-reboot |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}} In July 2023, CD Projekt CEO Adam Kiciński announced that they would be laying off around 100 workers—9% of its total workforce—from CD Projekt RED.{{Cite web |date=26 July 2023 |title=CD PROJEKT RED Organizational Update |url=https://www.cdprojekt.com/en/media/news/cd-projekt-red-organizational-update/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230726114734/https://www.cdprojekt.com/en/media/news/cd-projekt-red-organizational-update/ |archive-date=26 July 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Ngan |first=Liv |date=26 July 2023 |title=CD Projekt Red announces third round of layoffs in three months |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/cd-projekt-red-announces-third-round-of-layoffs-in-three-months |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}

REDengine is a game engine developed by CD Projekt Red exclusively for their nonlinear role-playing video games.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/boards/threads/cdpred-red-engine-3-is-a-revolution-in-rpgs.452863629/|title=CDPRED: "RED Engine 3 is a revolution in RPGs"|work=IGN|date=1 February 2013|access-date=25 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819125719/https://www.ign.com/boards/threads/cdpred-red-engine-3-is-a-revolution-in-rpgs.452863629/|archive-date=19 August 2019|url-status=live}} It is the replacement of the Aurora Engine CD Projekt Red had previously licensed from BioWare for the development of The Witcher.{{Cite web|date=15 April 2021|title=RedENGINE Game Development Engine - MYCPLUS - C and C++ Programming Resources|url=https://www.mycplus.com/featured-articles/redengine/|access-date=22 May 2021}}

REDengine is portable across 32- and 64-bit software platforms and runs under Windows. REDengine was first used in The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings for Windows.{{cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/66414/the-witcher-2-dev-diary |title=The Witcher 2 Dev Diary Introduces New Engine |date=10 November 2010 |work=Shacknews |access-date=4 June 2011 |last=O'Connor |first=Alice |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412111535/https://www.shacknews.com/article/66414/the-witcher-2-dev-diary |archive-date=12 April 2019 |url-status=live }} REDengine 2, an updated version of REDengine used in The Witcher 2, also runs under Xbox 360{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/192406/the_witcher_2_announced_nonlinear_with_smoother_combat.html |title=The Witcher 2 Announced, 'Non-Linear' with 'Smoother' Combat |date=25 March 2010 |work=PCWorld |access-date=4 June 2011 |last=Peckham |first=Matt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409181911/http://www.pcworld.com/article/192406/the_witcher_2_announced_nonlinear_with_smoother_combat.html |archive-date=9 April 2012 |url-status=live }} and both OS X{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/30/the-witcher-2-is-coming-to-mac-sold-1-7-million-copies-on-pc-and-xbox-360/ | title=The Witcher 2 Is Coming To Mac | date=30 May 2012 | work=Forbes | access-date=15 August 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229191109/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/30/the-witcher-2-is-coming-to-mac-sold-1-7-million-copies-on-pc-and-xbox-360/ | archive-date=29 December 2019 | url-status=live }} and Linux, however these ports were made using a compatibility layer similar to Wine called eON. REDengine 3 was designed exclusively for a 64-bit software platform, and also runs under PlayStation 4,{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-21-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-confirmed-for-playstation-4-in-2014 |title=The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt confirmed for PlayStation 4 in 2014 |author=Yin-Poole, Wesley |work=Eurogamer.net |date=21 February 2013 |access-date=22 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224001605/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-21-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-confirmed-for-playstation-4-in-2014 |archive-date=24 February 2013 |url-status=live }} Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

REDengine 2 utilized middleware such as Havok for physics, Scaleform GFx for the user interface, and FMOD for audio.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-the-making-of-the-witcher-2|title=The Making of The Witcher 2|last=Leadbetter|first=Richard|date=24 January 2016|work=Eurogamer|access-date=7 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001075625/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-the-making-of-the-witcher-2|archive-date=1 October 2015|url-status=live}} The engine was used for the Xbox 360 port of The Witcher 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/02/01/cd-projekt-red-introduces-redengine-3-latest-iteration-of-in-ho/|title=CD Projekt Red introduces REDengine 3, latest iteration of in-house tech|last=Hinkle|first=David|date=1 February 2013|work=Engadget|access-date=7 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229191849/https://www.engadget.com/2013/02/01/cd-projekt-red-introduces-redengine-3-latest-iteration-of-in-ho/|archive-date=29 December 2019|url-status=live}}

REDengine 3 was designed to run exclusively on a 64-bit software platform. CD Projekt Red created REDengine 3 for the purpose of developing open world video game environments, such as those of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. It introduces improvements to facial and other animations. Lighting effects no longer suffer from reduced contrast ratio. REDengine 3 also supports volumetric effects enabling advanced rendering of clouds, mist, fog, smoke, and other particle effects.{{Cite web|date=18 May 2015|title=The amazing technology of The Witcher 3|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-amazing-technology-of-the-witcher-3/|access-date=22 May 2021|website=PC Gamer}} There is also support for high-resolution textures and mapping, as well as dynamic physics and an advanced dialogue lip-syncing system. However, due to limitations on texture streaming, the use of high-resolution textures may not always be the case.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2014-the-witcher-3-tech-analysis|title=Tech Analysis: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt|website=Eurogamer|date=14 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2015-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-face-off|title=Face-Off: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt|website=Eurogamer|date=23 May 2015}}

REDengine 3 has a flexible renderer prepared for deferred or forward+ rendering pipelines. The result is a wide array of cinematic effects, including depth-of-view, color grading and lens flares associated with multiple lighting. The terrain system in REDengine 3 uses tessellation and layers varying material, which can then be easily blended.

Cyberpunk 2077 used REDengine 4, which supported ray-traced global illumination and other effects.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/new-cyberpunk-2077-details-suggest-mid-2019-release-3452027|title=New Cyberpunk 2077 details suggest mid-2019 release|first=Tatiana|last=Morris|date=22 March 2017|website=GameZone|access-date=23 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623192012/https://www.gamezone.com/news/new-cyberpunk-2077-details-suggest-mid-2019-release-3452027/|archive-date=23 June 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cyberpunk-2077-will-support-nvidia-rtx-ray-tracing-at-launch/|title=Cyberpunk 2077 will support Nvidia RTX ray tracing at launch|website=PC Gamer|date=11 June 2019|access-date=11 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229192303/https://www.pcgamer.com/cyberpunk-2077-will-support-nvidia-rtx-ray-tracing-at-launch/|archive-date=29 December 2019|url-status=live}} On 21 March 2022, CD Projekt announced a partnership with Epic Games after retiring REDengine to use Unreal Engine 5.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/new-witcher-in-the-works-will-use-unreal-engine|title=Next Witcher will use Unreal Engine|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=21 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-witcher-game-in-development-will-use-unreal-engine-5/1100-6501741/|title=New Witcher Game In Development, Will Use Unreal Engine 5|website=GameSpot|date=21 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-witcher-4-unreal-engine-5/|title=The Witcher 4 Is Ditching The REDengine For Unreal|website=TheGamer|date=21 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/cd-projekt-red-tips-new-witcher-game-made-with-unreal-engine-5|title=CD Projekt RED Tips New Witcher Game Made With Unreal Engine 5|website=PCMag|date=21 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/cd-project-red-the-witcher-game-unreal-engine-5-174928261.html|title=CD Projekt Red is developing a new Witcher game that will run on Unreal Engine 5|website=Engadget|date=21 March 2022}} In April 2022, Studio CTO Paweł Zawodny said that the decision to change engines came down to Unreal Engine 5's new focus on open world game design.{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/cd-projekt-red-explains-using-unreal-engine-5-the-witcher-4/|title=CD Projekt Red Explains Why It's Using Unreal Engine 5 for The Witcher 4|website=Game Rant|date=5 April 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/witcher-4-dev-cd-projekt-red-explains-why-its-using-unreal-engine-5/1100-6502196/|title=Witcher 4 Dev CD Projekt Red Explains Why It's Using Unreal Engine 5|website=GameSpot|date=5 April 2022}} Shifting to Unreal Engine 5 also enabled CD Projekt to leave much of the engine-level development to Epic Games, allowing the studio to focus primarily on creating their game.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-witcher-4-unreal-engine-5/|title=The Witcher 4 devs explain why they're using Unreal Engine 5|website=GamesRadar+|date=6 April 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cd-projekt-explains-why-the-witcher-4-is-using-unreal-engine-5/|title=CD Projekt explains why The Witcher 4 is using Unreal Engine 5|website=PC Gamer|date=6 April 2022}}

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In 2008, the company introduced Good Old Games, a distribution service with a digital rights management-free strategy. GOG.com aims to help players find "good old games", preserving old games. To do so, the team needed to unravel licensing issues for defunct developers or negotiate with publishers for distribution rights. To recover old code for conversion to modern platforms, they had to use retail versions or second-hand games.{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/09/16/how-gog-com-save-and-restore-classic-videogames/|title=How GOG.com Save And Restore Classic Videogames|first=Tom|last=Bennet|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|date=16 September 2015|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016073139/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/09/16/how-gog-com-save-and-restore-classic-videogames/|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}} CD Projekt partnered with small developers and large publishers, including Activision, Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, to broaden the service's portfolio of games to triple-A and independent video games.{{cite web | url = http://www.gog.com/news/bigger_fresher_newer_see_whats_new_on_gogcom | title = Bigger. Fresher. Newer. See what's new on GOG.com | date = 27 March 2012 | access-date = 5 April 2012 | publisher = GOG.com | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120329190108/http://www.gog.com/news/bigger_fresher_newer_see_whats_new_on_gogcom | archive-date = 29 March 2012 | url-status = live }}

Despite suspicions that it was a "doomed project", according to managing director Guillaume Rambourg, it has expanded since its introduction.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gog-celebrates-six-years-of-advancing-the-drm-free/1100-6422150/|title=GOG Celebrates Six Years of Advancing the "DRM-Free Movement"|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=GameSpot|date=8 September 2014|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904113659/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gog-celebrates-six-years-of-advancing-the-drm-free/1100-6422150/|archive-date=4 September 2015|url-status=live}} {{as of|2015|June}}, GOG.com sold 690,000 units{{Cite web |url = http://www.gog.com/news/news_gog_galaxy_home_to_over_half_of_the_witcher_3_wild_hunt_pc_gamers |title = News: GOG Galaxy home to over half of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt PC gamers |date = 12 June 2015 |access-date = 12 June 2015 |website = GOG.com |archive-url = https://archive.today/20150611164729/http://www.gog.com/news/news_gog_galaxy_home_to_over_half_of_the_witcher_3_wild_hunt_pc_gamers |archive-date = 11 June 2015 |url-status = live }} of CD Projekt Red's game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt redeemed through the service, more than the second largest digital seller Steam (approx. 580,000 units{{cite web |url=http://steamspy.com/app/292030 |title=The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt |publisher=Steam Spy |date=11 June 2015 |access-date=11 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613055518/http://steamspy.com/app/292030 |archive-date=13 June 2015 |url-status=live }}) and all other PC digital distribution services combined.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/more-people-playing-witcher-3-on-gog-than-on-steam/1100-6428013/ |title=More People Playing Witcher 3 on GOG than on Steam – CD Projekt's digital distribution service edges out Steam and all other PC platforms. |first=Alex |last=Newhouse |date=11 June 2015 |access-date=11 June 2015 |publisher=GameSpot |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150611233043/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/more-people-playing-witcher-3-on-gog-than-on-steam/1100-6428013/ |archive-date=11 June 2015 |url-status=live }} As of 8 July 2019, every third Cyberpunk 2077 digital pre-order was sold on GOG.com.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CDPROJEKTRED/status/1148227436007567361|title=#DidYouKnow — every third copy of the digital version of #Cyberpunk2077 for PC so far has been pre-ordered on @GOGcom!|date=8 July 2019|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709201721/https://twitter.com/CDPROJEKTRED/status/1148227436007567361|archive-date=9 July 2019|url-status=live}} Income from GOG.com (known internally as CD Projekt Blue) accrues to CD Projekt Red.

{{quote box|quote=The moment we start becoming conservative [and] stop taking creative risks and business risks, and stop being true to what we're doing, that's when we should worry. And I am not worried. Our values and our care for what we are doing and – hopefully what gamers would agree with – care for gamers is what drives this company forward. It's my personal horror to become a faceless behemoth of game development or publishing or whatnot. As long as I am here I will be fighting for this not to happen.|source= — CD Projekt Red founder Marcin Iwiński, on maintaining independence|width=30%}}

The company claims to focus on certain aspects and features of a game at a time, in order to ensure quality.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-06-19-witcher-3-dev-on-next-gen-avoiding-an-average-crappy-game|title=Witcher 3 dev on next-gen, avoiding an "average, crappy game"|first=Mike|last=Williams|work=Gameindustry.biz|date=19 June 2013|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222093241/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-06-19-witcher-3-dev-on-next-gen-avoiding-an-average-crappy-game|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}} The company focuses on the development of role-playing games, with the team working on established franchises with a fan base and introducing lesser-known franchises to a wide audience.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/174151/what_the_witcher_taught_cd_projekt_.php?print=1|title=What The Witcher Taught CD Projekt About RPGs|first=Tom|last=Curtis|work=Gamasutra|date=16 July 2012|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071329/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/174151/what_the_witcher_taught_cd_projekt_.php?print=1|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} The studio has been praised for prioritising quest design over the size of the game world in its open-world games.{{cite web|url=http://killscreendaily.com/articles/how-cd-projekt-red-reinventing-open-world-witcher-3/|title=How CD Projekt RED Is Reinventing The Open World In Witcher 3|first=Patrick|last=Doolin|work=Kill Screen|date=28 January 2014|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030175533/http://killscreendaily.com/articles/how-cd-projekt-red-reinventing-open-world-witcher-3/|archive-date=30 October 2015}}

CD Projekt Red opposes the inclusion of digital-rights-management technology in video games and software. The company believes that DRM is ineffective in halting software piracy, based on data from sales of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. CD Projekt Red found that their initial release (which included DRM technology) was pirated over 4.5 million times; their DRM-free re-release was pirated far less.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/witcher-dev-publishers-use-drm-as-smokescreen-to-cover-their-a-es/1100-6416136/|title=Witcher dev: Publishers use DRM as "smokescreen" to cover their a**es|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=GameSpot|date=12 November 2013|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916223147/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/witcher-dev-publishers-use-drm-as-smokescreen-to-cover-their-a-es/1100-6416136/|archive-date=16 September 2015|url-status=live}} The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077 were released without DRM technology.{{cite web|url=http://cdpred.com/no-drm-in-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-an-open-letter-to-the-community/ |title=No DRM in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – an open letter to the community |publisher=CD Projekt Red |first=Marcin |last=Iwinski |date=30 October 2013 |access-date=28 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103075045/http://cdpred.com/no-drm-in-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-an-open-letter-to-the-community/ |archive-date=3 November 2013 }} The team believes that free downloadable content should be an industry standard. The company demonstrated this by releasing several free DLC for Wild Hunt.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/witcher-3-devs-cd-projekt-red-think-dlc-should-be-free-1516457|title=Witcher 3 developer CD Projekt Red thinks free DLC should be industry standard|first=Ben|last=Skipper|work=International Business Times|date=21 August 2015|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120215354/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/witcher-3-devs-cd-projekt-red-think-dlc-should-be-free-1516457|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live}}

According to Studio Head Adam Badowski, CD Projekt Red avoided becoming a subsidiary of another company in order to preserve their financial and creative freedom and ownership of their projects.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-03-07-cd-projekt-independence-is-a-crucial-part-of-a-our-strategy|title=CD Projekt RED: "Independence is a crucial part of our strategy"|first=Dan|last=Pearson|work=Gameindustry.biz|date=7 March 2013|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921211413/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-03-07-cd-projekt-independence-is-a-crucial-part-of-a-our-strategy|archive-date=21 September 2015|url-status=live}} In 2015, Electronic Arts was rumoured to be attempting to acquire CD Projekt, but this was denied by Iwiński who said that maintaining the company's independence was something he would be fighting for.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-09-15-we-are-not-talking-with-anyone-regarding-selling-cd-projekt-red-or-gog-period|title=We are not talking with anyone regarding selling CD Projekt Red or GOG. Period.|first=Robert|last=Purchese|work=Eurogamer|date=15 September 2015|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019234845/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-09-15-we-are-not-talking-with-anyone-regarding-selling-cd-projekt-red-or-gog-period|archive-date=19 October 2015|url-status=live}} Financial details on development, marketing and release costs are freely published, citing being "open in communication" as one of the company's core values.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/the-past-present-and-future-of-the-witcher-3-1736499084|title=The Past, Present, And Future Of The Witcher 3|first=Patrick|last=Klepek|date=14 October 2015|website=Kotaku|publisher=Gizmodo Media Group|access-date=17 June 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20151015213645/http://kotaku.com/the-past-present-and-future-of-the-witcher-3-1736499084|archive-date=15 October 2015|url-status=live}}

The company used to follow Rockstar Games' business model, where the company works on a single project with a large team and avoids working on multiple projects at the same time.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-04-27-cd-projekt-games-will-follow-the-rockstar-model|title=CD Projekt wants to emulate "the Rockstar model"|first=Matthew|last=Handrahan|date=27 April 2016|access-date=28 April 2016|work=Gameindustry.biz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428093455/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-04-27-cd-projekt-games-will-follow-the-rockstar-model|archive-date=28 April 2016|url-status=live}} In March 2021, they changed their strategy. From 2022 onward, they will work on multiple AAA games in parallel.{{Cite web|date=30 March 2021|title=CD Projekt updates its strategy|url=https://www.cdprojekt.com/en/media/news/cd-projekt-updates-its-strategy/|access-date=19 December 2021|website=CD Projekt}}

In December 2021, CD Projekt agreed to pay $1.85 million while negotiating to settle a class-action lawsuit over the problematic release of Cyberpunk 2077, a game which at launch had several technical issues that many users experienced.{{Cite web|last=Obedkov|first=Evgeny|date=16 December 2021|title=CD Projekt to pay investors less than $2 million in class-action settlement|url=https://gameworldobserver.com/2021/12/16/cd-projekt-to-pay-investors-less-than-2-million-in-class-action-settlement/|access-date=10 January 2022|website=Game World Observer}}{{Cite web|last=Hollister|first=Sean|date=16 December 2021|title=Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt will pay just $1.85 million in proposed class-action settlement|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/16/22839181/cyberpunk-2077-cd-projekt-1-85-million-proposed-class-action-settlement|access-date=10 January 2022|website=The Verge}}{{Cite web|title=CD Projekt Red will pay only $1.85 million to settle 'Cyberpunk 2077' lawsuit|url=https://www.engadget.com/cyberpunk-2077-lawsuit-settlement-cd-projekt-095416106.html|access-date=10 January 2022|website=Engadget|date=16 December 2021 }}

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