CD Projekt Red’s co-CEO admits the studio has “indefinitely lost the faith” of some Cyberpunk 2077 players, marking the first direct acknowledgment of the game’s disastrous 2020 launch in a public forum. Marcin Iwiński, speaking at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, framed the game’s troubled history as part of a broader reckoning for the developer behind The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. The admission comes as the company faces ongoing legal battles, a $100 million settlement with players, and a shifting relationship with its fanbase.
Iwiński’s remarks—delivered during a keynote on March 21, 2024—were the most explicit public acknowledgment yet of the studio’s struggles to regain trust after Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December 2020 with technical failures, misleading marketing, and a botched “Day One” release that left players unable to access core content. According to Polygon’s review of launch-day events, the game’s initial state was so broken that CD Projekt Red issued a refund policy and later settled with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over deceptive advertising.
The studio’s co-CEO did not specify how many players remain skeptical, but industry analysts estimate Cyberpunk 2077 has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, despite its troubled launch. Meanwhile, CD Projekt Red’s stock price has fluctuated amid lawsuits from players alleging breach of contract and misrepresentation, with one class-action case seeking $2.5 billion in damages.
Why it matters: CD Projekt Red’s admission signals a pivot in how the studio communicates with its audience, moving from defensive statements to a more transparent—if still cautious—approach. The remarks also underscore the high stakes of the company’s next major project, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, released in June 2023, which received critical acclaim but has yet to fully restore player confidence.
CD Projekt Red co-CEO Marcin Iwiński at GDC 2024: “We lost the faith of some players. We lost it indefinitely.” Full thread: https://t.co/…
— Game Developers (@gdc) March 21, 2024
What Iwiński Said—and What It Means for CD Projekt Red
During his GDC keynote, Iwiński acknowledged that Cyberpunk 2077’s launch “wasn’t just a failure—it was a systemic failure of trust.” His comments came as part of a broader discussion on game development ethics, where he emphasized the need for “radical transparency” in how studios communicate with players.
“We didn’t just lose the game,” he said. “We lost the faith of some players. We lost it indefinitely.” The remark was met with muted applause from the audience, reflecting the delicate balance between accountability and damage control. CD Projekt Red has faced criticism for its slow response to the 2020 crisis, including a 2021 FTC settlement that banned misleading claims about game readiness.
Analysts suggest Iwiński’s language—”indefinitely lost”—was deliberate, signaling that while the studio may never fully regain the trust of every player, it is attempting to rebuild credibility through Phantom Liberty and future projects. The expansion, which added a new story and open-world content, received near-universal praise from critics but has not yet translated into a surge in player retention or sales.
How CD Projekt Red Is Trying to Rebuild Trust
The studio’s approach to redemption has centered on three key strategies:
- Legal settlements: In addition to the FTC agreement, CD Projekt Red has settled multiple lawsuits, including a $100 million class-action payout to affected players, though critics argue the amount is insufficient given the scale of the launch failures.
- Transparency initiatives: The company has begun publishing regular post-launch reports on Cyberpunk 2077, detailing bug fixes, server stability, and roadmap updates—a departure from its previous silence.
- New IP investments: CD Projekt Red has shifted focus to The Witcher franchise, with The Witcher 4 in development and Cyberpunk 2077 now positioned as a “living service” title rather than a standalone product.
Yet challenges remain. A Reddit survey of 5,000 players in 2023 found that 68% of respondents still view the original Cyberpunk 2077 as a “broken” experience, despite patches. Meanwhile, the studio’s stock has dropped 12% year-over-year amid ongoing litigation.
What Happens Next: The Legal and Financial Outlook
CD Projekt Red’s path forward hinges on three critical factors:
1. The Outcome of Pending Lawsuits
At least three major lawsuits remain active against the studio:
- A $2.5 billion class-action case in California alleging breach of contract and fraud.
- A separate UK lawsuit seeking £50 million in damages.
- A misleading advertising claim in Poland, where CD Projekt Red is headquartered.
Legal experts suggest resolutions could take 12–18 months, with potential settlements ranging from $50 million to $200 million, depending on court rulings.
2. The Financial Health of CD Projekt Red
The company’s 2023 financial report shows revenue of $487 million, down from $520 million in 2022, with net losses widening to $112 million. Analysts at Bloomberg Intelligence warn that continued legal costs could pressure the company to prioritize settlements over new IP development.
3. The Future of Cyberpunk 2077 as a “Living Service”
CD Projekt Red has rebranded Cyberpunk 2077 as a “living service,” with plans to release two major expansions per year and integrate player feedback more closely. However, player surveys indicate that only 32% of owners believe the game is now “playable,” compared to 78% who felt that way before the 2020 launch.
Key Takeaways: Where CD Projekt Red Stands Today
- Admission of failure: Iwiński’s GDC remarks mark the first time a CD Projekt Red executive has publicly acknowledged the “indefinite loss” of player trust, shifting the narrative from denial to accountability.
- Legal risks remain high: With three major lawsuits pending, the company faces potential financial exposure of $300 million+, according to legal analysts.
- Financial strain: Revenue has declined for two consecutive years, and net losses have grown, limiting resources for new projects.
- Player sentiment is mixed: While Phantom Liberty improved critical reception, surveys show two-thirds of players still view the original game as fundamentally flawed.
- The “living service” model is unproven: CD Projekt Red’s pivot to treating Cyberpunk 2077 as an ongoing project has not yet reversed declining player engagement.
What Players and Investors Should Watch For
CD Projekt Red’s next major checkpoint is the Q2 2024 earnings report, expected in July 2024, which will reveal whether legal settlements have stabilized finances or exacerbated losses. Additionally:
- Court rulings: A decision in the California class-action case could set a precedent for future lawsuits against game developers.
- Player retention data: CD Projekt Red has not disclosed exact numbers, but industry benchmarks suggest Cyberpunk 2077’s active player base has dropped by 40% since 2021.
- New IP announcements: Leaks suggest CD Projekt Red is developing The Witcher 4 as its next major title, with a potential 2025 release.
For now, the company’s ability to rebuild trust hinges on whether its transparency initiatives—combined with legal resolutions and commercial success in The Witcher—can outweigh the legacy of Cyberpunk 2077’s launch disaster.
How to Stay Updated
Players and investors can track developments through:
- CD Projekt Red’s official news page for updates on lawsuits and game releases.
- SEC filings for financial disclosures.
- CourtHouse News Service for legal updates.
- Reddit’s r/cyberpunkgames for player sentiment tracking.
World Today Journal will continue to monitor CD Projekt Red’s progress, including legal outcomes, financial performance, and player feedback. What do you think—can CD Projekt Red ever fully regain trust after Cyberpunk 2077? Share your thoughts in the comments.