Amidst CD Projekt Layoffs, the Witcher and Cyberpunk Devs Unite to Create New Studio, Blank

Published 06/03/2023, 10:10 AM EDT

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When last year CD Projekt announced that they were working on a new Witcher title, the fans were elated. However, since then the studio has hit some snags. The studio has laid off multiple employees citing changes in the Witcher series. This has made fans question the direction their beloved RPG game is going in.

Amidst all these layoffs, developers from The Witcher and Cyberpunk have banded together to form their very own studio. Surprisingly, this is the second studio to spawn from ex-CD Projekt staff. Earlier, Rebel Wolves formed from the collaboration of ex-CD Projekt staff. Now the members of the new studio Blank have high hopes for their upcoming studio as well.

The Witcher and Cyberpunk devs leave CD Projekt to form Blank

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The latest studio founded by ex-CD Projekt staff is led by Mateusz Kanik. Kanik worked for fifteen years at CD Projekt, serving as Game Director of Cyberpunk and working on the entire Witcher series. Currently, the new studio is home to a small team of ten members. All ten members of Blank have previously worked in CD Projekt in different capacities. Kanik and his team have worked in design, narrative, sound, and art in CD Projekt.

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In a statement, Kanik expressed his hopes for his new studio Blank, “After working for years in an increasingly conservative industry, we’re ready to make bold, impactful projects that share our unique creativity and values.” The studio is hopeful of making advances in the game industry in the future with its very own perspective.

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Blank even has a project lined up and is looking to add a staff of up to sixty people for it. They are looking for like-minded people to add-on to their team in developing an apocalypse-themed game. Blank co-founder Marcin Jefimow has expressed, “Our game development philosophy comes from our own stories and experiences.”

This news of a new studio from ex-CD Projekt staff comes when the earlier studio is facing some issues of its own. CDPR recently laid off some employees for the upcoming Witcher spin-off. The studio was also rumored to be acquired by Sony. Though CEO Adam Kiciński has come forward to claim the studio is not for sale.

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What are your thoughts on the new studio spawned by the Witcher and Cyberpunk developers? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Written by:

Ajitesh Rawat

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Ajitesh Rawat is an up-and-coming eSports writer at EssentiallySports. An avid gamer himself, Ajitesh grew up just like the majority of the gamers out there by simply falling in love with Need for Speed and Grand Theft Auto. He likes to dive into these vast imaginative worlds and experience the fun himself.
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Edited by:

Harshita