Cyberpunk 2077 serves as the primary lesson for CD Projekt RED as the studio prepares for its next major title. The developer has adopted a new workflow to prevent the launch issues that plagued the original game. This shift matters to players because it changes how the studio manages scope and quality control for future releases. The team now prioritizes rapid decision-making over long-term rigid planning.
Studio adopts hybrid workflow to prevent scope creep and improve quality control
The studio is applying these lessons to Cyberpunk 2, which follows the upcoming The Witcher 4. CD Projekt RED replaced its previous long-term meticulous planning with a hybrid model. This new structure relies on short sprints lasting one to four weeks. The team also uses broader milestones to track progress and adjust direction. This approach allows the studio to fix issues while they are still small.
Cross-departmental collaboration is now central to the development process. Audio, narrative, and visual design teams work together instead of operating in isolation. This change aims to reduce friction between different creative disciplines. The Boston division continues to implement these workflow improvements from the Phantom Liberty expansion. The studio ensures that these structural changes are baked into the daily routine.
The studio expects to release Cyberpunk 2 after 2029. This timeline follows the planned 2028 release of The Witcher 4. Igor Sarzynski explained that the team must decide when to fix ideas rather than letting them accumulate. The developer stated that they have many good ideas but need to make a decision to fix them. The studio is now focused on execution rather than endless planning.
Source: IXBT
