The Witcher Multiplayer Spin-Off Studio Hit With Layoffs Due to Game Reboot: Report

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The Witcher Multiplayer Spin-Off Studio Faces Layoffs Amid Game Reboot

The Witcher multiplayer spin-off game, internally known as ‘Sirius,’ recently underwent a substantial revamp, necessitating a developmental restart and introducing a ‘new framework.’ This transformation, however, came at a cost, as The Molasses Flood, the studio behind the project, reportedly laid off 29 employees—21 from the US team and eight from Poland. The Boston-based game developer, renowned for the roguelike survival game ‘The Flame in the Flood,’ took the reins of The Witcher multiplayer spin-off in the previous year with direct collaboration from CD Projekt Red. While the original plan included a single-player campaign mode, its current status remains uncertain.

Evolution of The Molasses Flood and The Witcher Project

Established in 2014 by a group of industry veterans who contributed to titles like Halo and BioShock, The Molasses Flood became part of The Witcher’s creators in 2021. A CD Projekt Red spokesperson addressed the workforce changes, stating, “Because the project changed, so has the composition of the team that’s working on it—mainly on The Molasses Flood’s side,” according to a statement provided to Kotaku. In March, CD Projekt Red acknowledged an impairment charge related to Sirius, a financial move often made to write off assets with minimal value to the company. However, during an April financial earnings call, the company clarified that the project was not canceled but undergoing reassessment.

CD Projekt Red’s Vision and Adaptation

Adam Kiciński, CEO of CD Projekt Red, emphasized the unique nature of the ‘Sirius’ project, describing it as an insourced venture that differs significantly from the company’s renowned large-scale productions. In a Q&A session, he highlighted the necessity to explore new ways to extend their franchises to stay competitive in the industry. The multiplayer-focused ‘Sirius’ was unveiled in October the previous year, alongside announcements for a new The Witcher trilogy, ‘The Witcher Polaris,’ and an open-world remake of the franchise’s inaugural game using Unreal Engine 5. The latter, named ‘The Witcher Polaris,’ is in development under Polish studio Fool’s Theory, comprising seasoned The Witcher series staff, and promises a rebuilt version of the 2007 title.

CD Projekt Red’s Ongoing Projects

Beyond The Witcher realm, CD Projekt Red is actively engaged in other projects, including the expansion for Cyberpunk 2077 titled ‘Phantom Liberty.’ Featuring actor Idris Elba as Solomon Reed, an FIA agent for the ‘New United States of America,’ this expansion is anticipated to release this year on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X. During an October presentation, the studio revealed a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, codenamed ‘Orion,’ aiming to further explore the dark future universe. Notably, development on ‘Orion’ is still in its early stages, requiring team expansion for progress.

In conclusion, The Witcher multiplayer spin-off, with its ‘Sirius’ codename, faces a transformative journey marked by developmental challenges and associated layoffs. As CD Projekt Red continues to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the gaming industry, projects like ‘Phantom Liberty’ and ‘Orion’ underscore the studio’s commitment to expanding its diverse portfolio.