CD Projekt RED Chief Focus: Player Experience Across Markets
During a discussion at Lucca Comics & Games in Italy, Pavel Sasko, the mission director at CD Projekt RED, shared reflections on how the Polish developer approaches players inside and outside national borders. The interview, conducted with Russian journalists from the portal GameGuru, explored the studio’s philosophy and its decisions in a way that many studios avoid in public conversations. The exchange was part of a broader effort by CD Projekt RED to speak candidly about its creative process while navigating a challenging geopolitical landscape.
Asked for the most honest, direct answer possible from the people who work on games, Sasko emphasized a focus on storytelling and player experience rather than market segmentation or external agendas. He described a mindset that prioritizes the creation of memorable journeys and enduring narratives, rather than tailoring content to a specific audience segment or economic forecast. The sentiment reflected a commitment to the craft of game design itself and to the diverse range of players who engage with the studio’s titles, regardless of their country of residence or political context.
In Sasko’s view, the core aim is to ensure that players feel a sense of beauty and wonder when they play. The message he conveyed suggested that this emotional resonance should be universal, transcending national boundaries. He asserted that the emotional impact of a well-crafted game is shared by all players and should be accessible to everyone, including gamers in Russia, who represent part of the global audience that CD Projekt RED serves.
Earlier in the year, CD Projekt, the parent company of CD Projekt RED, paused sales of its products in Russia while continuing to operate its social media channels for the region. This decision occurred amid a broader set of strategic moves and public statements made by the company as it navigates the complexities of the current international climate. Reports indicated that a member of the company’s press service team responsible for Russia remained in position during this period, underscoring the company’s effort to maintain communications and respond to questions about its stance and actions in the market.
Additionally, the studio has continued to engage fans online by sharing gameplay footage from ongoing projects, including an updated version of the popular role-playing game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This ongoing presence signals a continued commitment to fan engagement and product development while the company evaluates how to balance market realities with its creative ambitions. The updates have been catalogued by observers as part of CD Projekt RED’s broader strategy to keep players informed about progress and upcoming improvements, even as transactional sales in certain regions are paused.