Releasing Cyberpunk 2077 In Its Poor State “Was For Sure Wrong,” CD Projekt Admits
CD Projekt Red’s joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski has publicly admitted that launching Cyberpunk 2077 in its technically deficient state in December 2020 “was for sure wrong.” The admission comes years after the game’s infamously problematic launch, which prompted Sony to take the rare step of removing the title from the PlayStation Store, resulting in thousands of refunds.
In an interview with The Game Business, Nowakowski addressed various factors that contributed to the launch decision. He cited COVID-19 as a contributing factor, explaining that the pandemic affected team morale and caused exhaustion in unexpected ways. He acknowledged that external voices encouraged release, including people outside the studio and members of the fanbase. The development team itself also wanted to “push it out the door.”
Nowakowski pushed back against the theory that investor pressure was the primary driver, suggesting the decision involved multiple competing interests rather than simple financial motivations. The statement represents a rare acknowledgment from studio leadership about one of gaming’s most notorious launches, which has since become a defining reference point in industry discussions about crunch culture, unrealistic timelines, and the consequences of releasing unfinished products. Since launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has received extensive patches and updates, with the studio continuing to support the title.