Project Sirius: impact of recent staffing changes on development

Intelligence Summary
- Discover the latest staffing changes at Project Sirius, the new Witcher game from CD Projekt Red and The Molasses Flood.
Briefly summarized
- Project Sirius has recently lost nine developers due to layoffs.
- Development on the project was restarted in 2023, following an earlier round of 29 layoffs.
- Kwan Perng has been appointed lead writer for Project Sirius, suggesting a renewed focus on the story.
GAME-scanner analysis
Project Sirius, a multiplayer and single-player game set in the Witcher universe, is facing significant development challenges. The recent layoffs of nine team members, as reported by Kotaku, are part of a broader restructuring within CD Projekt Red. This follows an earlier round of 29 developer layoffs in 2023, indicating that the project is under pressure. The appointment of Kwan Perng as lead writer may be an attempt to stabilize and strengthen the game’s creative direction, especially after the negative response to earlier development updates.
What does this mean for players?
For players, this news may raise concerns about the progress and quality of Project Sirius. The restructuring could lead to delays in the release, affecting expectations for the game. However, the focus on both single-player and co-op multiplayer gameplay still offers the potential for a unique experience within the Witcher universe.
Timeline
2022: Project Sirius is announced as a new title from The Molasses Flood.
2023: The project is rebooted, with 29 developers laid off.
2023: Nine additional team members are laid off, while others are moved to other projects within CD Projekt Red.
2026-08-12: Expected release date for Project Sirius.