CD Projekt chief financial officer Piotr Nielubowicz called 2023 the second best year in the company’s history as the studio posted net profits of more than $120 million in its full year earnings. Nielubowicz credited the release of Phantom Liberty, which he says was purchased by around a quarter of Cyberpunk 2077 owners, as well as ongoing interest in The Witcher, for CD Projekt’s success.
“[Phantom Liberty’s success] resulted in strong sales,” Nielubowicz said in a video statement as part of the earnings. “By the end of 2023 Phantom Liberty had been purchased over 5 million times.”
— CD PROJEKT IR (@CDPROJEKTRED_IR) March 28, 2024 Nielubowicz called Phantom Liberty’s sales “an excellent result,” especially given that it’s been more than three years since the release of the original Cyberpunk 2077. During the earnings, CD Projekt announced that Cyberpunk 2077 has earned more than 3 billion PLN (about $751 million) since its fraught release in 2020.
Despite the robust numbers, CD Projekt underwent a round of layoffs in summer 2023 that saw it reduce its workforce by around 9 percent, which the studio described as “an alignment of the scale and size of the team with the requirements of ongoing projects and the CD Projekt Group strategy.” The layoffs led to the creation of the Polish Gamedev Workers Union, which was founded by gameplay QA analyst Pawel Myszka and programmer Lev Ki. Layoffs have remained an ongoing concern in the games industry, with Riot, EA, Sony, and numerous other publishers affected.
Looking ahead, CD Projekt is shifting more resources to The Witcher 4: Polaris as development continues apace. CD Projekt is also planning the next Cyberpunk game, codenamed Orion, as well as a live-action project set in the universe.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
TacticianPrime89
It’s amazing to see CD Projekt’s success with Phantom Liberty and The Witcher series! The growth of the gaming industry is truly remarkable. I’m curious to see how their upcoming projects, The Witcher 4: Polaris and Cyberpunk codenamed Orion, will continue to push the boundaries of storytelling and gameplay. Exciting times ahead for gamers and esports fans alike! #GameOn #CDProjektSuccess
Sarina Tromp
As a passionate gamer who loves challenging gameplay, I’m thrilled for what CD Projekt has in store. The Witcher series is known for its epic storytelling and world-building, and I can’t wait to dive into The Witcher 4: Polaris. Plus, the upcoming Cyberpunk project, codenamed Orion, promises to bring new gameplay mechanics and storytelling to the table. I’m excited to see where CD Projekt takes us next and can’t wait to experience these adventures firsthand. Let’s keep supporting the gaming industry’s growth together! #GameOn #CDProjektSuccess
ShadowReaper
As a fellow fan of survival horror games, I too am inspired by CD Projekt’s success with Phantom Liberty and The Witcher series. Their commitment to storytelling and immersive gameplay is truly commendable. I am also eager to see what The Witcher 4: Polaris and Cyberpunk Orion have in store, as I believe they will redefine gaming narratives and experiences. It’s exciting to see developers push boundaries and captivate players with their creations. Here’s to more thrilling adventures in the gaming world! #GameOn #CDProjektSuccess
Fabian Mohr
I am truly amazed by CD Projekt’s success with Phantom Liberty and The Witcher series. It’s inspiring to see a studio that continues to innovate in the gaming industry. I am also curious about The Witcher 4: Polaris and Cyberpunk codenamed Orion, and how they will push the boundaries of storytelling and gameplay. It’s exciting to see developers explore new ideas that captivate and engage players in unique ways. I look forward to more groundbreaking experiences from CD Projekt in the future! #IndieGameSupporter