Ethan Crossfield 
Layoffs have become an increasingly familiar part of the games industry, affecting studios even as major publishers maintain ambitious development schedules. CD Projekt Red is now facing renewed scrutiny after a report said 18 people connected to Project Sirius, its multiplayer Witcher game, were removed from the project.
A Second Setback for Project Sirius
According to Kotaku's Rebekah Valentine, nine people working on Project Sirius were laid off on August 12. Another nine were transferred to different projects within The Molasses Flood, the studio previously associated with Drake Hollow and The Flame in the Flood and later absorbed by CD Projekt Red. That means the project has lost 18 developers, although the available information does not clarify the individual roles affected or how the restructuring will change daily development.
The explanation reported by Kotaku points to a wider change in development strategy. CD Projekt Red has not publicly commented on the reported layoffs, so the studio's precise plans for Project Sirius remain unclear.
The Multiplayer Witcher Game Has Already Been Reworked
Project Sirius was revealed in 2022, but details have remained limited. The game is known to be a multiplayer title set in The Witcher universe, while its platforms, release timing, and specific gameplay systems have not been announced in the source material.
This is not the first major disruption for the project. Development was reportedly rebooted in 2023, when 29 developers were laid off. The latest personnel changes therefore represent a second significant reduction connected to the same game. Although recent development was said to be progressing relatively well, the new departures make it difficult to determine whether production is continuing under the same design and schedule.
CD Projekt Red's Broader Development Slate
The restructuring comes as CD Projekt Red manages one of the industry's more crowded first-party pipelines. The Witcher 4 is positioned as the next mainline entry, while The Witcher 1 remake is also in development. The company is additionally working on a future Cyberpunk 2077 game and a new open-world intellectual property. External teams and studios are involved with some projects, including the Witcher remake.
The timing may also draw attention because Gamescom 2026 is approaching. The Witcher 3's Song of the Past DLC is confirmed for the event, giving CD Projekt Red another prominent Witcher-related appearance while Project Sirius remains largely un discussed publicly.
What Happens Next?
For now, there is no confirmed indication that Project Sirius has been canceled or that another reboot is underway. The most reliable conclusion is narrower: 18 developers are no longer working on the project in their previous capacity, and its production strategy may be changing. CD Projekt Red periodically shares updates on its games, so a future announcement could clarify whether the multiplayer title is advancing, being reshaped, or facing further delays.
Key points
- Nine Project Sirius developers were reportedly laid off on August 12.
- Nine more were moved to other projects within The Molasses Flood.
- The game was previously rebooted in 2023 after 29 layoffs.
- CD Projekt Red has not commented on the reported restructuring.
Expert View
The report signals how difficult it can be to sustain large, long-term projects when a publisher is managing several major franchises at once. For the Witcher community, the key concern is not simply the number of staff affected, but the lack of clarity after an earlier reboot. Until CD Projekt Red explains the project's direction, Project Sirius should be viewed as active but strategically uncertain rather than close to release.
