Joint CEO stepping down after 30 years
CD Projekt RED co-founder and joint CEO Marcin Iwiński has announced that they are stepping down from their role at the Polish studio, following a near-30-year tenure with the Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 developer. Iwiński made the announcement via an official statement posted Tuesday.
“I am beginning a brand new personal chapter at CD Projekt, as I will submit my candidacy for the role of Chairman to the Supervisory Board, leaving behind my joint CEO role,” writes Iwiński. “I’ve been at CD Projekt for almost 30 years and I have seen it go from a handful of passion-driven rebels to an internationally recognized developer of story-driven role-playing games loved by million globally.”
“When I think about the future of CD Projekt, it is so exciting for me. Today, the company consists of over 1,200 people across offices all over the world. […] It is thanks to that commitment and amazing talent that right now I have the same feeling I had all those years ago — hunger and optimism for what’s ahead.”
Message from Marcin Iwiński pic.twitter.com/jbaAFktzEi
— CD PROJEKT IR (@CDPROJEKTRED_IR) October 4, 2022
Marcin Iwiński founded CDPR with Michał Kiciński in Warsaw, Poland, back in 1984, building up the company through varying roles within the industry, from Polish language localization to minor roles within game development. The studio game into its own with its video game adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s popular fantasy series, The Witcher — The franchise has since gone on to become a globally recognized name, thanks to an excellent series of games and smash hit Netflix TV series.
Iwiński’s announcement was made on a day of major news for CDPR, with the studio not only officially announcing a trilogy of new Witcher titles, but also confirming a sequel to its infamous sci-fi epic Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt RED has also started production on a brand new IP, currently referred to by the mysterious moniker of “Project Hadar”.
Yesterday’s news represents something of a “new dawn” for CDPR, which is looking to reinstate its previously sparkling reputation in the aftermath of Cyberpunk 2077‘s launch controversies. CDPR had previously been considered a safe bet — a studio with an absolute commitment to excellence, and even with the disastrous and fairly maligned Cyberpunk 2077 launch staining that sheen, it is very likely that the studio will go all out for its next run of releases, determined to reestablish confidence in its audience.
