During today's CD Projekt Group strategy update, the company announced a plethora of new content in development, including a new IP named Hadar. This is a dramatic announcement, given that the company's reputation has been built on turning third-party source content into engaging video games.CD Projekt Red is beloved for TheWitcher series and infamous for the disastrous launch of Cyberpunk2077 in December 2020. Since the launch of Cyberpunk, many gamers felt the studio's reputation was permanently damaged.During the update for investors, in addition to announcing a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, CDPR announced its own original IP, currently called Hadar. Comments exploded beneath the post, with fans wondering what Hadar meant. Some felt it was a Hebrew word, with no clear answer on what the word translates to in English. According to CD Projekt, the title has been in "IP incubation" since late 2021. Based on the post, it appears actual game development hasn't started. However, it's clear that this is an original IP meant to stand alongside Cyberpunk 2077 and TheWitcher in CD Projekt's library. The studio stated that a "strike team" is currently working on the conceptual phase of development, building a foundation for the game.
The studio also commented that it is developing the game "from scratch," a first for the studio that usually bases games on popular existing material. TheWitcher is based on a Polish fantasy novel series, with Cyberpunk being based around an existing tabletop RPG. During the investor phone call, the studio said, "We are working exclusively on a foundation for this new setting."
Some have praised CDPR's transparency in laying out its plans for the next decade with such candor. Others questioned if the open nature of the announcements is a response to the controversial launch of 2020's Cyberpunk 2077. Despite the glitches, bugs, and poor performance on older consoles, Cyberpunk has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to several quality-of-life updates.
CDPR's TheWitcher3 is widely considered by many to be one of the best video games of all time, praised for the sheer amount of choices and content within The Witcher 3. Many gamers feared CDPR had lost its edge amid the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, but today's announcement reminds fans that the studio is very much alive, and dedicated to a long-term creative vision.
While the studio didn't describe what type of game Hadar will be, CDPR repeatedly referred to itself as a developer of RPG games during the investor call. Therefore, it makes logical sense that Hadar will be an RPG of some variety. Studio head Adam Kicinski was quoted as saying, "We are here to create revolutionary role-playing games with memorable stories that inspire gamers."
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