CD Projekt Red’s Human-Centric Approach: Scaling Up to 400 Employees for The Witcher 4 Without Relying on AI Workforce Replacement
CD Projekt Red (CDPR) is set to boost production for The Witcher 4 this year, aiming to have approximately 400 employees working on the project. CDPR CEO Adam Badowski emphasized that, although the company explores AI technology to enhance certain processes in game production, it does not intend to replace human workers with artificial intelligence.
“We’d like to have around 400 people working on the project by the middle of the year,” stated Badowski, highlighting the company’s commitment to human resources for the upcoming sequel. Despite the increasing trend of AI implementation in various industries, CDPR believes AI should be a tool to improve processes rather than replace skilled employees.
While CDPR faces various projects in different development stages, including a remake of the first Witcher game and a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, the company affirms its dedication to maintaining a substantial workforce. This decision follows CDPR’s recent workforce reduction, which involved laying off 10% of its employees.
In a broader industry context, AI adoption remains a significant trend, with companies like Square Enix expressing aggressive plans for AI use. Valve has also updated Steam’s policies, requiring game studios to disclose if AI was utilized in the game’s development. Despite this, CDPR remains focused on expanding its team and upholding the essential role of human workers in game development.