The Witcher’s 18th Anniversary: CDPR Co-CEO Remembers ‘Uphill Battle’ to Launch Geralt’s First Action-RPG, Teases Future Adventures

The video game industry is currently buzzing as CD Projekt Red (CDPR) celebrates the 18th anniversary of its foundational title, The Witcher. The original action-RPG, which introduced players worldwide to the gritty, morally grey Continent and its iconic protagonist, Geralt of Rivia, officially turned 18 on October 26, 2025. This milestone is not just a commemoration of a classic game but a reflection on the challenging origins of what has become a global, multi-million dollar entertainment franchise.

In a recent public reflection that has garnered significant attention from gaming news outlets and investment analysis circles, a CDPR co-CEO offered a candid look back at the game’s difficult launch period, simultaneously igniting excitement with a tease of the franchise’s bright future.

The Initial Struggle: An ‘Uphill Battle’ and a Testament to Persistence

The success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and its subsequent cultural impact might lead one to believe the series was an instant triumph. However, the co-CEO’s statement underscores the reality: the journey for the first game was anything but smooth. The original The Witcher, released in 2007, faced a genuine uphill battle to gain visibility in a highly competitive market dominated by established AAA titles.

CDPR, then a smaller, less-known studio, struggled with both the development process and securing international attention for their ambitious role-playing game. Industry veterans recall the difficulty of pitching the game to publishers and the technical hurdles inherent in creating a large, complex open-world experience with limited resources. These challenges forced the team to make difficult design decisions, ultimately shaping the unique identity and narrative focus of the final product.

• The original game was built on a modified version of the Aurora Engine, presenting unique technical challenges for a debut title of this scale.
• It lacked the immediate name recognition that the later games enjoyed, making global marketing and distribution a formidable task.
• The game’s mature themes and morally ambiguous choices were a departure from typical fantasy tropes, initially a risk rather than a guaranteed appeal.

The co-CEO’s heartfelt acknowledgment of the perseverance required is a powerful reminder of the studio’s deep commitment to its vision, a quality that has become a core element of the CDPR brand, often associated with high-quality content and developer ambition.

“More Adventures Ahead”: The Future of The Witcher IP and High-CPC Keywords

The anniversary message culminated in an exciting hint about the future of the IP, explicitly promising “more adventures ahead.” This tease aligns perfectly with the studio’s previously announced development pipeline, which features multiple projects set within the rich fantasy world of The Witcher.

Investors and gamers alike are keenly focused on CDPR’s next steps, with the promise of future content driving significant interest and discussion around CDPR stock and next-gen RPGs. The use of the phrase “more adventures ahead” serves as a strategic reassurance of the long-term franchise value.

• Project Polaris: The most anticipated project, this is the official codename for the next main installment in the series, widely referred to as The Witcher 4. It is poised to kick off a brand new trilogy.
• Project Canis Majoris: A full-scale remake of the original 2007 The Witcher, being developed by an external studio composed of former CDPR veterans, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 technology. This aims to introduce the challenging initial story to a new generation of players on modern hardware.
• Project Sirius: A separate, multiplayer-focused title from The Molasses Flood, which aims to diversify the franchise’s offering and tap into the lucrative live service games market, a key area for high cost-per-click (CPC) advertising.

The strategic deployment of new titles aims to maintain the high IP valuation and ensure a constant stream of premium gaming content. The shift to Unreal Engine 5 for the new trilogy is a significant business decision, streamlining future development and facilitating the creation of truly immersive open-world RPGs.

Market Implications and Developer Legacy

The celebration of The Witcher’s 18th anniversary comes at a pivotal time for CDPR. Having successfully navigated the post-Cyberpunk 2077 recovery, the company is now intensely focused on rebuilding its reputation and delivering on its ambitious future roadmap. The reminder of the original game’s difficult birth is a conscious effort to leverage the studio’s Cinderella story narrative, connecting with fans who appreciate their history of overcoming adversity to deliver critically acclaimed games.

The legacy of the first Witcher game is cemented in its narrative depth and the introduction of a choice and consequence system that felt genuinely impactful, distinguishing it from many contemporary fantasy RPGs. As the co-CEO noted, the initial struggle was a necessary precursor to the global phenomenon the series has become. The promise of more adventures is a clear signal that the development teams are fully engaged in delivering the next generation of The Witcher, maintaining the core DNA of deep storytelling while embracing modern game development and monetization strategies.

Ultimately, the 18th anniversary of The Witcher is more than just a historical footnote; it is a powerful piece of corporate communication that acknowledges the past’s difficulties while confidently setting the stage for a highly anticipated future, promising Geralt’s legacy will live on in the digital marketplace for years to come. The gaming community is watching closely for the next official reveal.

Source Note: This article is based on recent public statements and social media posts by the CDPR co-CEO regarding The Witcher’s 18th anniversary and confirmed details from CD Projekt Red’s official development roadmap and financial disclosures.