After Cyberpunk 2077's rocky launch, The Witcher 4 CEO acknowledges the biggest myth in gamedev is a lie: "There's no magic"

GamesRPGThe WitcherCyberpunk 2077After Cyberpunk 2077’s rocky launch, The Witcher 4 CEO acknowledges the biggest myth in gamedev is a lie: “There’s no magic"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesRPGThe WitcherCyberpunk 2077After Cyberpunk 2077’s rocky launch, The Witcher 4 CEO acknowledges the biggest myth in gamedev is a lie: “There’s no magic"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: CD Projekt Red) CD Projekt RedCEO Michał Nowakowski has acknowledged there’s no such thing as “magic” that’ll somehow fix everything in game development as the studio ramps up work onThe Witcher 4and theCyberpunk 2077follow-up. You might have heard of the term ‘BioWaremagic’ before, especially when it comes to past reports about that studio’s history with crunch culture. But it’s a term that many studios have used, referring to the belief that an in-development game will eventually, magically come together in the end and that things will ‘get better’ for crunching developers eventually. Veteran BioWare producer Mark Darrah released anentire rantabout the term, if you’re interested. It’s something that CDPR’s boss has also, now, spoken out against in an interview withEurogamer. While feeling “optimistic” about the studio’s future projects, Nowakowski also thinks about “the more realistic side” that “nothing is granted forever” - especially with Cyberpunk 2077’s turnaround and Phantom Liberty’s shining reception. “And I think it’s something that’s important for us to understand,” he continued. “And I think also for all the people in the company: there’s no magic. There’s only hard work and making sure you stay on the right course… with The Witcher or, you know, with Cyberpunk in the future, it’s only down to us. Everything can fail, but it’s our responsibility to make sure it doesn’t. And remembering and understanding that, I think, is the biggest reason for me to be optimistic, because in the company everyone’s constantly worried - but worried in a good way, if you know what I mean… And if you’re that kind of worried, I think that gives us better chances of being successful in the future than thinking we can’t fail because we’re too big.” While most CD Projekt Red developers work on The Witcher 4, the studio plans to double the RPG’s team next year. 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strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good 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adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' 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a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”