CD Projekt co-CEO Michał Nowakowski has issued a stark warning that video games created entirely by generative artificial intelligence are already being produced, with a wave of such titles expected to hit the market soon. Speaking at the DevGAMM Gdańsk conference in Poland, Nowakowski revealed that he knows for a fact that studios are now operating on a primarily AI-based model, churning out dozens of prototypes in a single week.
AI Studios Producing Games at Unprecedented Speed
Nowakowski recounted a conversation with a studio founder who claimed to run an AI-driven operation. 'I can have 40 prototypes within a week, two weeks from now I can have five games that I chose are going to be the best and, three weeks from now, I’m actually launching a game,' the founder told him. Nowakowski expressed skepticism about this approach, sighing and stating, 'Maybe that’s going to be successful, but I have some doubts whether this is really the path to follow.'
While Nowakowski did not elaborate on the nature of these AI-generated games, industry observers note they are more likely to be mobile titles rather than triple-A productions. The co-CEO emphasized that the biggest challenge facing the industry today is capturing consumer attention in an oversaturated market. He argued that success ultimately depends on having 'a fresh idea, with a soul, with legs,' a comment widely interpreted as a critique of generative AI's role in game development.
Cyberpunk 2077 Redemption Arc Not Complete
In the same interview, Nowakowski reflected on the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020. Despite extensive updates and expansions that have vastly improved the game, he believes the studio has not fully regained the trust of its audience. 'I’m not 100% convinced we went through the full redemption arc,' he admitted. 'I’m convinced that we lost the faith of some people indefinitely, and that’s a fair thing. But I do hope we will be able to make it back – if not with The Witcher 4, then with whatever comes next.'
CD Projekt is currently juggling multiple projects, including The Witcher 4, a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, a new expansion for The Witcher 3 titled Songs Of The Past (slated for 2027), the Witcher spin-off codenamed Sirius, a remake of the original Witcher, and a new IP called Project Hadar. Despite this packed pipeline, Nowakowski stressed that the studio has no intention of releasing major games annually. 'Our dream is to be making more games, although we never want to turn into the studio that’s going to be launching a big game every year,' he said. 'It may happen, but this is not the goal.'
Generative AI Controversy in Gaming
The use of generative AI in game development has sparked backlash against major titles such as Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7, Crimson Desert, and Sega's reboot of Crazy Taxi. While some developers employ AI for administrative tasks, temporary assets, voiceovers, or concept art—often accidentally left in the final product—the technology remains a relatively minor point of contention. Nowakowski's comments suggest that the industry may soon face a more significant shift as fully AI-generated games become commercially available.
