As live-service games continue to capture the gaming industry’s attention, CD Projekt Red’s CEO, Michal Nowakowski, remains optimistic about the enduring appeal of single-player games like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. He confidently states that these immersive, narrative-rich titles are here to stay, even as the industry explores new directions. Over time, trends have shifted, but Nowakowski believes that the essence of engaging single-player experiences will persist despite the buzz surrounding live-service models.
In recent years, single-player games, driven by compelling stories, such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, have built a dedicated fan base and an ever-growing audience. For example, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree in 2024 shows this genre’s sustained popularity. Yet, in the midst of this, the gaming industry has seen the emergence of “games as a service.” These are games continually updated with fresh content and monetized to ensure long-term player engagement. Still, for Nowakowski, who heads the company behind iconic titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3, there’s no fear that this newer model will overshadow the beloved single-player genre.
The CEO emphasized in CD Projekt Red’s latest board report that “cutting-edge single-player games” will remain a significant part of the industry. Nowakowski acknowledges the evolving landscape but has faith that the solid foundations of single-player games can adapt and thrive alongside newer trends.
With an impressive array of titles under its belt, CD Projekt Red is poised to continue its focus on narrative-driven gameplay, assuring fans these games will “continue to enjoy great popularity.” The studio is currently working on multiple projects, including a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 and the much-anticipated The Witcher 4.
Out of all the projects in the pipeline, The Witcher 4 stands out as the one generating the most buzz. Recent announcements from CD Projekt Red include updates on their upcoming Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 games, noting that Project Sirius is still in pre-production and that The Witcher 1 remake remains in its conceptual phase. Concrete details on The Witcher 4 are scarce, but the anticipation is palpable. Players can expect the deep single-player storytelling that CD Projekt Red’s CEO promises to uphold as a hallmark of the studio’s future endeavors.
