Full Breakdown
CD Projekt Red Reveals Early Details on New Original IP “Hadar”
6/4/2026, 7:59:37 PM
Core Event: CD Projekt Red Discloses Development Direction for Hadar
A job posting for an Engineering Director on CD Projekt Red’s own careers page confirms that the studio’s long-rumored original franchise, codenamed Hadar, is an open-world project. The listing states that the role will “push the envelope for the next, immersive game in the Hadar world, creating an emotional, open-world experience that will stay with gamers.” The posting, together with several additional Hadar-related listings, signals that the studio is moving from concept to prototype development.
Background & Context: CD Projekt Red’s Recent IP Strategy
CD Projekt Red has spent the past two years expanding its established universes—delivering a new Witcher 3 expansion, preparing a Witcher 4 sequel, and working on Cyberpunk 2. Amid these efforts, the studio announced in March 2026 that it had “established the foundations” of a brand-new franchise, marking the first concrete step toward a non-Witcher, non-Cyberpunk title.
Key Figures & Groups: Joint-CEO Michal Nowakowski and Engineering Leadership
Joint-CEO Michal Nowakowski is the public face of the initiative, commenting on the technical approach. The Engineering Director role, highlighted in the job ad, is described as requiring “leadership skills” and “deep technical expertise” to shape future game systems, indicating a senior position that will steer core gameplay architecture.
Timeline: Milestones from Foundations to Staffing
- March 2026: CD Projekt Red announces the establishment of Hadar’s foundations.
- End of February 2026: Staffing count reaches 26 developers dedicated to the project.
- March 2026: Nowakowski provides a technical update on prototype creation.
These dates trace the project’s progression from conceptual announcement to early-stage team assembly.
Data & Statistics: Team Size, Job Listings, Prototype Approach
- 26 personnel were assigned to Hadar by February 2026.
- Multiple job listings (Engineering Director and other roles) have been posted, suggesting an imminent expansion of the prototype team.
- The studio is building “multiple prototypes” directly in Unreal Engine, allowing live testing of mechanics and gameplay elements.
Official Statements & Responses: Summarized Positions
CD Projekt Red’s leadership emphasizes an experimental development pipeline. Nowakowski explained that using Unreal Engine enables rapid iteration: prototypes are built, tested, and evaluated to verify how selected mechanics perform. The Engineering Director posting frames the role as a blend of leadership and technical depth, tasked with driving innovation and delivering “unforgettable gaming experiences.” Both statements underscore a focus on open-world immersion and technical experimentation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are creating multiple prototypes and implementing them directly in Unreal Engine.” — Michal Nowakowski, joint-CEO, CD Projekt Red
- “This allows us to live-test and verify how selected mechanics and gameplay elements can perform," joint-CEO Michal Nowakowski said back in March.” — Michal Nowakowski, joint-CEO, CD Projekt Red
- “In this position, together with the rest of the team, you will help push the envelope for the next, immersive game in the Hadar world, creating an emotional, open-world experience that will stay with gamers.” — CD Projekt Red job listing
- “combine [their] leadership skills with [their] deep technical expertise to shape the future of our game systems, driving innovation and delivering unforgettable gaming experiences.” — CD Projekt Red job listing
What’s Next: Anticipated Prototype Ramp-Up and Future Announcements
The presence of several new job listings suggests that CD Projekt Red will soon expand the Hadar team to flesh out prototype work. Industry observers expect further details on gameplay systems, narrative direction, and a potential public showcase later in 2026 as the studio moves from early testing toward a more defined product roadmap.
