CD Projekt, the renowned video game developer behind iconic RPG franchises like The Witcher and Cyberpunk, has revealed it is actively considering licensing out its intellectual properties for mobile game adaptations. During the company’s recent fiscal year 2023 earnings call, joint CEO Michał Nowakowski confirmed that CD Projekt is assessing opportunities to partner with external studios on potential mobile titles based on their successful IPs.
“The answer is yes, we are considering such a move,” Nowakowski stated when asked about the possibility of licensing The Witcher and Cyberpunk franchises for mobile games. “In fact, we were pursuing, through conversations, opportunities like that. We have nothing to announce just yet, but when the time comes, we would.”
While remaining tight-lipped on specifics, the executive noted that CD Projekt is open to different business models for any such licensing agreements, be it one-time fees or revenue-sharing arrangements with partner developers. “There’s no predesigned business model we’re looking at in this case, whether one-off or shared profits. That’s another story. But when the time comes we’ll definitely share information,” Nowakowski added.
The move would mark CD Projekt’s first major foray into mobile gaming for its biggest franchises. While The Witcher has seen some mobile spin-offs like the Gwent card game and the location-based AR title Monster Slayer, the core RPG series has yet to make the jump to smartphones and tablets. Cyberpunk 2077, the studio’s latest blockbuster release, also remains exclusive to consoles and PC as of now.
Adapting their acclaimed franchises to mobile would allow CD Projekt to significantly expand the reach of their captivating worlds and stories to the rapidly growing mobile gaming market. The potential licensing deals could also provide another revenue stream for the company as it invests heavily into developing the next mainline entries in The Witcher and Cyberpunk franchises.
With The Witcher 4 targeting a new trilogy and Cyberpunk’s pseudo-sequel Project Orion on the horizon, CD Projekt seems keen on leveraging the full potential of its prized IPs across multiple platforms and formats. Mobile gaming, with its ability to attract massive global audiences, likely represents an enticing frontier.
Of course, any such mobile adaptations would need to be handled carefully to preserve the high quality and creative integrity fans have come to expect from CD Projekt’s rich, immersive RPG experiences. But by partnering with the right developers and maintaining a deft hand in overseeing the projects, the Polish studio could very well open new realms of gaming for their legions of fans.