LogInCDPR's Michał Platkow-Gilewski commented on Cyberpunk 2077's 2020 launch and the changes within the studio.
CD Projekt's VP of PR & Communication Michał Platkow-Gilewski has recently shared an extensive interview, discussing the catastrophic 2020 launch of Cyberpunk 2077, the studio's upcoming Phantom Liberty DLC, and the changes that took place at the studio in recent times.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Platkow-Gilewski acknowledged that the release of Cyberpunk 2077 was challenging for the studio, describing the past three years as a "bumpy road" for the company and noting that the studio still has to mend its relationship with the players by delivering "what they are capable of".
"The game was shaping up to be amazing, and we were all super hyped. But this hype surrounding us was a big pressure. Then there was the release, and it was not a fairytale anymore," commented the developer on the action-adventure's launch. "After the release it was tough, but I knew that we had the same people. The gamers are the same… we just need to fix our relationship. The only thing we can truly do is just deliver what we are capable of. I have a feeling that soon we will be able to do that and hopefully that will be a new beginning for everyone."
In addition, Platkow-Gilewski commented on the changes within the studio, noting that they are working on eliminating the "crunch culture", decentralizing their development practices to harness the potential of their expanding workforce more effectively, and resolving communication challenges.
The author highlights that CDPR has established a dedicated team focused on enhancing the studio environment, including the cessation of excessive work demands.
Furthermore, Platkow-Gilewski also commented on CD Projekt's decision to cast Idris Elba as Solomon Reed, one of the most notable characters from the upcoming expansion:
"For us, an expansion should be visibly big. In the base game, we have Keanu, so we said, if we're going to do something else significant, we need an actor who can [represent that] and show that this isn't some small side mission, but a big chunk of content that we care about," he said. "For Phantom Liberty, which is more of a spy thriller-themed story – it has a different vibe to the base game – we needed someone who is a match for that. Idris is the next James Bond to me. He has this Bond vibe. When we talk about the character, Solomon Reed, we knew he'd be perfect for it."
You can read the full interview here. Also, don't forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.