Last year, the American game development studio CD Projekt announced that they were working on new games set in the highly acclaimed Witcher universe. This included a “fully fledged” remake of the first Witcher game and a spin-off game codenamed Project Sirius.
Recent reports, however, indicate that CD Projekt has made significant changes to the framework of Project Sirius after discussions about its scope and commercial potential. These changes have had serious consequences, as insiders have reported that the secondary studio responsible for Project Sirius, The Molasses Flood, has experienced significant layoffs.
Employees laid off after sudden changes in plan in the new Witcher Sipin-Off game
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Project Sirius, being developed by The Molasses Flood, known for their work on Flame in the Flood, was expected to bring an innovative take on the Witcher franchise. Initially, CD Projekt’s vision for the game aligned well with The Molasses Flood’s expertise, as the studio was acquired by CD Projekt in 2021.
A spokesperson from CD Projekt confirmed the changes, stating, “Because the project changed, so has the composition of the team that’s working on it – mainly on The Molasses Flood’s side.” The spokesperson further mentioned that 21 team members in the US and 8 in Poland, who were working on the project outside of the US, were affected by the layoffs.
While a regulatory report indicated the completion of work on a new framework for Project Sirius, resulting in the reversal of certain financial write-offs, the subsequent social media posts from Molasses Flood employees confirmed the layoffs. CD Projekt has also officially confirmed these job terminations.
Yesterday I was laid off from Molasses Flood.
It's not as fun to update the bio this time.
I enjoyed the work I'd been doing until my last day and would love to keep doing that.If anyone has any leads on a narrative and/or tech design position I'd be happy to take a look.
— Robert Bailey (@thrownerror) May 12, 2023
I'm sad to say I was laid off from The Molasses Flood. I'm starting to look for new opportunities now. If you know of a friendly and fun studio that is working on a stylized game and needs an environment artist, please let me know!https://t.co/WG9fyS3hBVhttps://t.co/PQ9eJBRLa5
— Eleanore Falck (looking for work) 🍰💖🌱 (@EleanoreFalck) May 12, 2023
Yesterday was my last day at The Molasses Flood, due to layoffs. I had been working with some of the best people on a multiplayer Witcher title that I was so proud of. If anyone needs a Senior World Builder or Env Artist, please let me know.https://t.co/BKlCYqEmYz pic.twitter.com/YH6qEUV7v8
— Gannon F. Jaspering (@GforGannon) May 12, 2023
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CD Projekt CEO Adam Kiciński had previously stated that Project Sirius would be set in the Witcher Universe but would offer a different experience compared to previous installments. He described the spin-off as targeting a broader audience. In October of the previous year, CD Projekt announced their plans for a new Witcher trilogy and spin-off titles. Since the announcement, the studio has not shared much information about these projects.
As fans eagerly await further updates on CD Projekt’s Witcher games, it remains to be seen how the changes to Project Sirius will shape its final form and the overall landscape of the Witcher franchise.
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What do you think about the future of the Witcher franchise? Let us know in the comments below!