As entrepreneurs, especially in Europe’s diverse market, managing expectations amid ambitious promises can become second nature, whether it’s your own startup or observing those of industry leaders. CD Projekt Red’s bold declaration to release three new Witcher games within six years of the first sequel sparks questions about balancing ambition with practicality. After all, this is the same studio behind the massively successful Witcher 3 that spent years recovering from the high-profile struggles of its post-launch Cyberpunk 2077 release.
In games, as in startups, timeline promises can define a brand. Let’s explore CDPR’s announcement as a startup case study where ambition walks the line between foresight and over-promise.
The Centerpiece of CDPR’s Strategy
CD Projekt Red aims to release all three entries in the next Witcher trilogy, Witcher 4, 5, and 6, within six years of Witcher 4’s release. Based on projects like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3, six years for three AAA RPGs is an ambitious push. Moving to the Unreal Engine 5 system for development suggests CDPR seeks tech reliability, which has been a struggle for many companies using internal engines. If Witcher 4 releases as anticipated in 2027, the saga will conclude around 2033 or 2034.
What does this mean for us as entrepreneurs? It’s a reminder that scaling promises can sound alluring, but execution is everything. CDPR’s team grew from 250 developers in 2015 to over 447 for Witcher 4 alone. Building resources is essential when scaling plans, but resources alone don’t guarantee ideal results.
Breaking Down Their Business Narrative
CDPR claims shorter development cycles are possible now with advanced tools like Unreal Engine. While technology boosts predictability, past delays (Cyberpunk’s multiple pushbacks, Witcher 3’s struggles) leave critics cautious. Timing is tricky, and two lessons emerge:
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Community trust heavily relies on past credibility. As startup founders, it’s tempting to promise expansive features, fast delivery, or revolutionary products. Without evidence that meets those claims, you risk eroding trust among your customers.
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Project scaling means learning iteration cycles. Unreal Engine likely gives CDPR an initial edge in game development, similar to how embracing AI for our team at Fe/male Switch accelerates optimized outputs like the Startup Gamepreneurship Methodology. While tools reduce repetitive tasks, human adaptability remains key.
What Entrepreneurs Can Take Away From CDPR’s Approach
Here’s how CDPR’s plans apply to entrepreneurs:
1. Ambitious Roadmaps Must Include Flexible Milestones
CDPR’s “six years for three games” approach reminded me of early-stage startups looking for quick scaling without testing market cycle limits. Be aggressive, but never box yourself into rigid windows if deliverables need improvement. For developers, it’s scalability of their game tech; for us, it’s scalability of our marketing frameworks or AI-driven innovations.
2. Community Size Matters Less Than Engagement
447 developers are working on Witcher 4, a necessary scale for larger products. But don’t over-prioritize size economics: focus on the engagement rate of clients early while you refine product value. Big launches look attractive, yet lean efforts like Fe/male Switch’s startup game consistently work because they offer consistent feedback loops.
3. Remember That Your Brand Reputation Is Your Asset
The Witcher 3 celebrates ten years, it’s arguably a CDPR insurance policy for bold claims because legacy success buys customer patience. If Witcher 4 struggles or misses its date, their core fans might still stay. Overpromising erodes credibility faster for founders without previous massive wins.
Most Common Mistakes Startup Founders Should Avoid
Let’s shift and connect CDPR’s timeline challenges to mistakes female entrepreneurs often make during launch phases:
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Overexpansion: Going big sounds nice until your foundational infrastructure proves harder to scale. Overexpansion in staffing or goals without observing industry data (like technological adoption trends within your customer base) leads to project bottlenecking.
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Ignoring Transparency: CDPR’s financial updates and developer webinars clarify expectations, even if delays follow. Regular communication tools within startups (like public Trello roadmaps) help partners avoid uncertainty mid-project.
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Mismanaging Outsourcing: A strong vendor relationship can scale faster but pivots still need strategy. CDPR outsourced technical aspects and restructured existing engines, yet their REDEngine struggles prove even outsourcing requires close oversight.
How European Female Founders Can Apply CDPR’s Business Lessons
Being an entrepreneur in Europe involves balancing organizational projections across nationality-specific clientele while leveraging tech resources. To mirror CDPR’s strategic lessons:
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Plan far, validate early: Broad engagement plans only matter once early Demo Day results back those efforts. I often iteratively test value risk long before scaling outreach during Fe/male Switch game beta applications.
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Effectively communicate growth phases: Unreal Engine changes speed dramatically shift gears. Whether pivoting tech methods or onboarding teammates like CDPR did, press releases clarifying the why behind shifts explain pivots clearly.
Conclusion
CD Projekt Red’s high-profile timeline promise encapsulates the delicate art of balancing creative ambition and practical execution, a lesson startups face daily. As female founders, drawing examples from bold industries like game development reminds us that scaling responsibly is about setting goals that inspire without overpromising. Whether in game design or startups, your timeline should keep moving forward while testing every decision carefully.
Entrepreneurial growth, whether startups or sequels, is about managing resources, nurturing trust, and ensuring deliverables meet value expectations. Like CDPR, learn when to promise what, and make sure resources back each commitment. For those of us growing within Europe's entrepreneurial hubs, that means listening loudly to ourselves, partners, and most importantly, strategic client directions.
FAQ
1. What is CD Projekt Red’s promise regarding the next Witcher trilogy?
CD Projekt Red promises to release the next Witcher trilogy (Witcher 4, 5, and 6) within six years of the launch of Witcher 4, which is expected around 2027. Read about the Witcher trilogy timeline
2. Why has CD Projekt Red shifted to Unreal Engine 5 for development?
CD Projekt Red moved from its proprietary REDEngine to Unreal Engine 5 to enhance development efficiency, improve scalability, and mitigate technical issues such as those seen with Cyberpunk 2077. Learn why CDPR chose Unreal Engine
3. What challenges does CD Projekt Red face with the six-year target for three Witcher games?
The timeline is ambitious considering past delays with AAA projects like Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. CDPR must balance efficient development cycles with maintaining quality, especially with concurrent projects. Explore CDPR’s roadmap challenges
4. What is the estimated release timeline for the Witcher 4, 5, and 6?
The Witcher 4 is projected to launch in late 2027, Witcher 5 around 2030, and Witcher 6 by 2033 or 2034. Check out Witcher timeline projections
5. How has CD Projekt Red scaled its resources for Witcher 4 development?
CDPR grew its development team from 150 people in 2022 to 447 developers as of late 2025 to support the larger scale of Witcher 4. Learn more about CDPR’s team scaling
6. What impact does switching to third-party engines have on CD Projekt Red’s strategy?
Adopting Unreal Engine 5 reduces technical debt and accelerates production but still presents challenges regarding adaptation and alignment with long-term goals. Learn more about CDPR’s switch to Unreal Engine
7. Is CD Projekt Red working on other projects parallel to the Witcher trilogy?
Yes, CDPR is working on a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, the Witcher 1 remake, a Witcher multiplayer spin-off, and a new IP codenamed “Project Hadar.” Explore CDPR's current projects
8. How does CD Projekt Red's Witcher trilogy commitment compare to industry trends?
The plan to release three AAA RPGs in six years is ambitious, as few studios consistently achieve such rapid timelines. Previous trilogies like Mass Effect and The Witcher took longer to complete. Read about industry standards and trends
9. Has CD Projekt Red provided any public demonstrations of Witcher 4?
Yes, CDPR showcased a tech demo for Witcher 4 on PS5 at Epic’s “State of Unreal” event in summer 2025, demonstrating Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities for open-world designs. Watch Witcher 4 tech demo
10. How does CD Projekt Red’s past experiences with delays influence current strategies?
Several delays with Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 have made CDPR cautious about timelines, emphasizing better tools and larger teams to achieve the ambitious 6-year target for the Witcher trilogy. Learn from CDPR’s history with delays
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
