CD Projekt Red is bucking the trend in the gaming industry by significantly ramping up its workforce, even as many other studios face waves of layoffs. The Polish developer, known for iconic titles like The Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077, has been actively expanding its team to support multiple ongoing projects. This strategic move comes after years of well-documented development hurdles, such as the rocky launch of Cyberpunk 2077, where bugs and delays plagued the release. Now, with a firmer footing and increased profits, CDPR is investing in human capital to avoid past pitfalls and drive future successes. It's a refreshing shift that signals confidence in their pipeline, especially in an era where cost-cutting dominates headlines. 🚀

The company's journey hasn't been smooth sailing. Remember those infamous stories of Witcher developers sleeping under their desks during crunch times for the first game? Or the lengthy, troubled development cycle of Cyberpunk 2077, which became one of the longest AAA dev cycles in gaming history? Those experiences taught CDPR valuable lessons about resource management. By bringing on more hands now, they're aiming to distribute workloads more evenly and prevent burnout. It's a proactive approach that reflects their growth from a scrappy studio to a major player in the global market. After all, who wants a repeat of those buggy launches? Not CDPR, and certainly not the fans eagerly awaiting new adventures.

Diving into the numbers, CD Projekt Red's fiscal year 2024 earnings report, released in March 2025, reveals a substantial hiring surge. Back in October 2024, the studio had 650 employees spread across key projects. Fast forward to February 2025, and that number jumped to 707 developers—a clear sign of aggressive expansion. The biggest winner in this growth spree was the Project Orion team, dedicated to the Cyberpunk sequel. They absorbed 20 of the 57 new hires, a smart allocation given Cyberpunk 2077's history. With that game's development taking ages, adding extra talent makes perfect sense to streamline the next entry, though players shouldn't hold their breath for a release date just yet. 📊

Here's a quick breakdown of how the hiring spree played out across different teams:

• Project Orion (Cyberpunk sequel): Added 20 developers, focusing on avoiding past delays.

• Shared Services team: Saw the second-largest jump, handling QA and localizations—essential for polished global releases. 🔧

• The Witcher 4: Grew by 11 devs, building on the beloved franchise's legacy.

• Project Sirius (Witcher spin-off): Gained 7 new members, currently in pre-production.

• Project Hadar (new IP): The only team that shrunk, from 18 to 17 workers, as it's still in early concept phases.

This table summarizes the changes for clarity:

Why the focus on Project Hadar not expanding? Well, since it's still in the earliest stages of ideation, CDPR is wisely prioritizing resources on projects closer to fruition. This selective growth shows a mature approach to project management—no point overstaffing when the ideas are still brewing. 💡

Financially, things are looking up for CD Projekt Red. The 2024 report highlighted higher profits compared to 2023, even with a slight dip in sales. That's a testament to their efficient operations and the enduring popularity of their games. After laying off about 9% of their workforce in 2023, this hiring spike is a heartening reversal. It underscores their resilience and commitment to quality, especially as they juggle multiple ambitious titles. Fans can take comfort in knowing that the studio is not just surviving but thriving, with a workforce ready to tackle the next big thing. In an industry often marred by uncertainty, CDPR's story is a beacon of hope—proving that with the right team, even the toughest challenges can be overcome. 🌟