Project Hadar: CDPR's Biggest Game Yet Nears World-Building Finish

Ever wondered what CD Projekt Red is cooking up behind closed doors? The studio's mysterious Project Hadar is apparently its biggest undertaking yet, and the world-building phase is almost done.

We first heard about Project Hadar back in 2022, and since then, details have been scarcer than a Witcher's coin. But joint studio CEO Michał Nowakowski recently told PAP Biznes that the project is chugging along nicely. In fact, he says it's "our biggest undertaking to date, taking us several years." That's saying something, considering CDPR has Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3, and even the upcoming Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 in its lineup.

So, what's the holdup? According to Nowakowski, the team now has a coherent vision for the game's world and its key elements. They're nearly finished building that world and conceptualizing the important stuff, which means they've started properly working on the game. However, it's not yet in pre-production, so don't expect a big reveal anytime soon.

There are "small prototypes" in the works, and CDPR is testing some gameplay elements. That's about as concrete as it gets for now. If you're hoping for a trailer or a release date, you might want to temper those expectations. The studio is clearly taking its time with this one.

What makes Project Hadar so special? It's CD Projekt Red's first-ever fully proprietary IP. Everything else the studio has done, from The Witcher to Cyberpunk, has been based on pre-existing content—books, tabletop RPGs, or other source material. This is a completely original world, built from scratch. That's a big deal, and it's why the project is so exciting, even among the many other games CDPR has in development.

Of course, CDPR has a lot on its plate. There's the Cyberpunk 2077 movie with Paramount that the boss is "excited" about, and one star is already trying to join the cast. But Project Hadar remains a tantalizing mystery. With world-building nearly complete and prototypes in testing, it's inching closer to becoming a reality—just don't hold your breath for a reveal this year.

What do you think Project Hadar will turn out to be? Are you excited for CDPR's first original IP? Let us know in the comments!