Today, Cyberpunk 2077 is widely regarded as one of the best RPGs of the generation. Between years of updates, the critically acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion, and the success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, many players consider CD Projekt Red’s sci-fi epic one of gaming’s greatest comeback stories.
However, according to the studio’s leadership, the damage caused by Cyberpunk 2077’s disastrous launch may never be fully repaired.
Cyberpunk 2077’s Launch Still Haunts CD Projekt Red
When Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December 2020, it quickly became one of the most controversial game releases in recent memory.
The game arrived plagued by technical issues, performance problems, bugs, crashes, and missing features—particularly on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The backlash became so severe that Sony temporarily removed the game from the PlayStation Store, while CD Projekt Red faced lawsuits from investors and a major blow to its reputation.
It took years of post-launch support and hundreds of millions of dollars in continued investment to rebuild Cyberpunk 2077 into the game many players originally expected.
While the studio eventually succeeded in transforming public perception, co-CEO Michal Nowakowski believes some damage remains permanent.
“I’m Not 100 Percent Convinced”
Speaking in a recent interview with EDGE Magazine for the Knowledge newsletter, Nowakowski reflected on what many fans describe as CD Projekt Red’s redemption arc.
Despite the game’s current success, he admitted that he isn’t entirely convinced the studio has fully regained the trust it lost during Cyberpunk 2077’s troubled launch period.
“I’m not 100 per cent convinced we went through the full redemption arc.”
He continued by acknowledging that some players may never fully forgive the studio for the state Cyberpunk launched in.
“I’m convinced that we lost the faith of some people indefinitely, and that’s a fair thing.”
It’s an unusually candid admission from a studio executive, particularly considering how dramatically public opinion surrounding Cyberpunk 2077 has shifted over the last several years.
The Witcher 4 Faces Huge Expectations
The lingering shadow of Cyberpunk’s launch is particularly relevant as CD Projekt Red prepares for its next major release.
The studio is currently developing The Witcher 4, one of the most anticipated RPGs in the world. While excitement remains incredibly high, many fans still remember the promises and marketing surrounding Cyberpunk 2077 prior to launch.
As a result, some players are approaching The Witcher 4 with a level of caution that likely didn’t exist before 2020.
Nowakowski appears fully aware of that reality.
While he hopes The Witcher 4 can continue rebuilding trust, he also recognizes that earning back confidence from disappointed players is a process that takes years rather than months.
A Tougher Industry Than Ever Before
Beyond Cyberpunk, Nowakowski also discussed the increasingly competitive nature of the gaming industry.
According to him, modern developers face more challenges than ever due to the sheer number of games launching each year and the constant battle for player attention.
“There’s an unprecedented number of games being launched every year, and the fight for attention is tougher than it ever was.”
The executive emphasized that long-term success depends on a studio’s ability to continue funding future projects through successful releases, something that becomes increasingly difficult in today’s crowded market.
One Of Gaming’s Greatest Comebacks
Despite Nowakowski’s reservations, Cyberpunk 2077 has undeniably achieved something remarkable.
Few games have managed to recover from a launch as catastrophic as Cyberpunk’s. Through years of updates, community feedback, technical improvements, and the release of Phantom Liberty, CD Projekt Red transformed the game from a cautionary tale into one of the industry’s strongest redemption stories.
Whether the studio has fully regained the trust of every player remains debatable.
What isn’t debatable is that Cyberpunk 2077’s journey has become one of the most fascinating chapters in modern gaming history—and CD Projekt Red’s next challenge, The Witcher 4, may ultimately determine whether that redemption arc is truly complete.
