CD Projekt Issues Last Update for Gwent, Hands Over Control to Fans

CD Projekt Red announced the release of its final significant update for Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, marking the end of full development. Control of the game is now to be managed by the community. The gaming company confirmed the coinciding advent of the October season and the release of Update 11.10, which includes the last card changes executed by CD Projekt Red. In a unique approach, the company is relinquishing Gwent's monthly balance changes to the players, allowing them to decide which gaming cards merit a boost or reduction in power.

This will transpire through the Balance Council, a voting system for passionate Gwent players allowing direct control over alterations. Eligible players are limited to those who have prestiged at least once and achieved Pro Rank or won 25 ranked games in that season.

In December 2022, CD Projekt Red announced that while support for Gwent was fading, the game would stay online for years, with 2023 being the last year for new cards and official esports support. Following the update, a small number of developers will manage the game while the company is planning to lay off around 30 employees by the end of 2023.

Alongside, the firm saw previous layoffs in waves, with a reduction of 29 team members in May from The Molasses Flood, a studio owned by CD Projekt Red working on Project Sirius Witcher game. The company also declared the discontinuation of The Witcher: Monster Slayer and ensuing layoffs at its developer Spokko.

Dealing with the strain and instability of these actions, CD Projekt Red developers, Pawe? Myszka and Lev Ki, initiated the Polish Gamedev Workers Union, intending to provide a support response.

Gwent, celebrating its five-year open beta anniversary in May 2022, was originally launched in a closed beta in October 2016, followed by full RPG spin-off, Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales in 2018, and a single-player standalone expansion, Gwent: Rogue Mage in 2022.