CD Projekt Red's Project Hadar: First Details Revealed - An 'Emotional, Open-World Experience' That Will Stay With Gamers

A single job listing has just peeled back the curtain on CD Projekt Red's most mysterious project. Tucked away on the studio's careers page, the description for an Engineering Director role on "Project Hadar" reads: "an emotional, open-world experience that will stay with gamers." This is the first real detail about the studio's first wholly original IP, a universe not born from novels or tabletop games, but built from scratch. With only 24 developers attached and the game still in pre-production, this tantalizing glimpse raises huge questions: What kind of world is this? And how does it fit into CDPR's already packed slate of Witcher and Cyberpunk sequels? Let's break down everything we now know about Hadar.

What We Know About Project Hadar

The Engineering Director job posting on CDPR's official careers site provides the first substantive description of the project. It calls for someone to oversee the technical vision for "a brand new IP from CD Projekt Red, an emotional, open-world experience that will stay with gamers." The listing confirms that development is using Unreal Engine 5, with the team actively creating live prototypes in the engine.

As of April 30, 2026, only 24 staff members were assigned to Hadar, down slightly from 26 in February. That tiny headcount confirms the project remains in an early concept and pre-production phase. Joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski stated in March 2026 that the team has "established the foundations" of the new IP, though no public details about the setting, story, or characters have been shared.

The project's codename follows CDPR's tradition of naming projects after stars. Hadar is Beta Centauri, a bright star in the Centaurus constellation, aligning with Project Polaris (The Witcher 4) and Project Orion (Cyberpunk 2). Conceptual work on Hadar began as early as late 2021, and the project was first publicly acknowledged in CDPR's October 2022 strategy update.

CDPR Builds a Universe From Scratch

For nearly 20 years, CDPR has built its reputation on adaptations. The Witcher series draws from Andrzej Sapkowski's novels, while Cyberpunk 2077 is rooted in Mike Pondsmith's tabletop RPG. Hadar marks a historic shift, the studio creating an entirely new universe in-house, with no external source material to lean on.

That distinction carries both creative freedom and risk. CDPR's strength has always been in adapting and expanding existing worlds, adding their own narrative flair. But building a wholly original mythology, complete with its own factions, history, and emotional stakes, is a different challenge entirely. Co-founder Adam Nowakowski confirmed in 2022 that Hadar will be an RPG in the same genre as the studio's other titles, situating it alongside the Witcher and Cyberpunk lines.

The project has been quietly gestating for years. The October 2022 strategy update that introduced Hadar also outlined a multi-project future for the studio, including The Witcher 4, a multiplayer Witcher spin-off, and Cyberpunk 2. At the time, Hadar was little more than a codename. Now, the first real description suggests the team has found its creative identity.

Where Hadar Fits in CDPR's Busy Slate

CDPR is currently juggling multiple major projects. The Witcher 4 (Project Polaris) has 513 developers attached, making it the studio's top priority. Cyberpunk 2 (Project Orion) has 163 staff, and Project Sirius, a multiplayer Witcher spin-off, has 83. To put that in perspective, Hadar's team is roughly one-twentieth the size of The Witcher 4's 513-developer force, a clear sign that it's still in the conceptual sandbox phase.

The studio's roadmap makes clear that The Witcher 4 is the next major launch, likely followed by Cyberpunk 2. Hadar is positioned as the third tentpole franchise, but it is years away from release. Given typical AAA development cycles and CDPR's current focus, a launch before 2030 seems unlikely.

Yet the fact that CDPR is already staffing Hadar with a dedicated team, even a small one, signals long-term commitment. Multiple job listings beyond the Engineering Director role are now live, indicating the studio is preparing to ramp up development. Nowakowski's confirmation that the "foundations" are established suggests that concepts, setting, and core mechanics are locked in, even if no public details have been shared.

What 'Emotional Open-World Experience' Means for CDPR

The phrasing aligns perfectly with CDPR's established DNA: narrative-driven RPGs with rich worldbuilding, strong character arcs, and impactful player choices. A previous Hadar job listing in 2025 sought quest designers "passionate about narrative-driven and emotional design," reinforcing the emphasis on story.

The emotional hook is a core part of CDPR's brand, from The Witcher 3's Bloody Baron quest to Cyberpunk 2077's Johnny Silverhand arc. Players remember those moments not just for their gameplay, but for the weight of their choices and the depth of their characters. By explicitly promising an experience that "will stay with gamers," CDPR is setting high expectations for narrative quality.

Without a pre-existing IP to draw from, the studio must build an entirely new mythology, factions, and emotional stakes. That is a high-risk, high-reward endeavor. Of course, "emotional" is a common recruiting buzzword; whether CDPR can deliver on that promise without established lore remains to be seen. If successful, it could establish a universe as beloved as The Witcher's Continent. If not, it might struggle to find an audience in an increasingly crowded RPG market.

The use of Unreal Engine 5 positions Hadar alongside The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2, ensuring a unified tech pipeline across all future CDPR titles. This consistency should allow the studio to share tools and knowledge across teams, potentially accelerating development once Hadar moves into full production.

Looking Ahead: The Long Road to Hadar's Release

CD Projekt Red's first original IP is still wrapped in mystery, but the description of an "emotional, open-world experience that will stay with gamers" sets a powerful expectation. With only 24 people currently building the foundations, Hadar is a long-term bet, one that could prove CD Projekt Red can build a world from nothing and make players care just as deeply as they do for the Continent. It's a bet worth watching.