CD Projekt Red CEO Skeptical of Fully AI-Generated Games

Michał Nowakowski, joint CEO of CD Projekt Red, is not convinced that the industry is ready for the rise of fully AI-generated games. Despite acknowledging that such titles are inevitably on the horizon, the head of the studio behind The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2077 remains cautious about the direction these AI-first developers are taking.

Speaking to Edge’s Knowledge newsletter, Nowakowski recounted a recent conversation with an individual running a primarily AI-based studio. The developer claimed they could generate 40 prototypes in a single week and launch a finished game within three weeks. While Nowakowski acknowledged the efficiency, he expressed clear reservations: "Maybe that's going to be successful, but I have some doubts whether this is really the path to follow."

Nowakowski’s skepticism arrives at a time when the "fight for attention" in the gaming industry is more intense than ever. With thousands of titles competing against films, social media algorithms, and television for a player’s limited time, he argues that the sheer volume of games hitting the market makes standing out an increasingly difficult task.

"But as long as you have a fresh idea, with a soul, with legs, you should have a genuine shot at being successful," Nowakowski said. His comments suggest that for CD Projekt Red, human intent and creative "soul" are the defining factors that separate a lasting experience from the noise of algorithmically generated content.

This sentiment echoes concerns raised by developers across the industry. A recent inquiry by GamesRadar, which spoke to over 30 game developers, highlighted widespread anxiety regarding the use of AI. Common concerns among the dev community include the ethical implications of scraping artists' work, the impact on junior-level roles, and potential legal and environmental issues associated with the technology.

As for the future of the studio itself, CD Projekt Red is currently working on the next entry in The Witcher saga, though they have stated they are not looking to transform into a company that releases a major title every single year. The team appears focused on maintaining their standard of quality, keeping the human element at the center of their development process even as the industry pivots toward new, automated tools.