Polish developer CD Projekt Red has numerous projects in development currently, and one of them is an entirely new IP. The game is in development under the codename Project Hadar. While it’s still early days for this game, and not much is known, there are some key details that have been revealed so far.
When will Project Hadar be released?
CD Projekt Red has only confirmed the existence of a new IP and has not shared when it could be released, or even a projection of when the studio wants to launch the game.
Preorder Project Hadar
Preorders for CD Projekt Red’s new IP are not available yet, which makes sense given the game hasn’t even been announced or assigned a release date.
Project Hadar new IP trailer information
As of yet, CD Projekt has not released any official trailers for its new IP.
Project Hadar new IP platforms
CD Projekt has not announced any platforms for its new IP, but given the developer’s history, it can be safely assumed the game will come to PC and console.
Project Hadar new IP story, setting, and characters
Since Project Hadar has not been announced officially, there isn’t much to go on at this stage. However, the developers have confirmed what the game is not, and that is a “cosmic horror in feudal Japan.” Executive Michal Nowakowski said previously on social media, “It’s definitely NOT a cosmic horror in feudal Japan.”
Given that Project Hadar is a new IP, it stands to reason it will take place in a new, original universe featuring brand-new characters. The word “Hadar” has many definitions, including a fossil site in Ethiopia and a star in the Centaurus constellation, but there is no telling if however the word may be defined is in any way associated with what the product might be when it’s done.
CD Projekt developer Maria Mazu told GamesRadar that they were “so happy” to learn they would get to make a new IP. “I feel like it only makes sense given how many kinds of people we have on this, like the storytelling side of things but also our artists,” Mazur said. “It feels like a waste not to invest all that into something new or something that comes straight from us. I am very excited about Hadar.”
Project Hadar game engine
Project Hadar is likely to be developed with Epic’s Unreal Engine, though this is not confirmed. CD Projekt has a deal in place with Epic to make more of its games using Unreal Engine 5 as well, including The Witcher 4, and it would make sense for the deal to cover CD Projekt’s other games. But again, this is not confirmed.
Who’s developing Project Hadar?
CD Projekt is developing Project Hadar. As of October 31, 2024–which is when the latest data was published–CD Projekt said it had 18 people working on Project Hadar. This was actually down from 20 people at the end of July 2024. As you can see in the chart below, the overwhelming majority of CD Projekt’s developers are working on Polaris, which is the codename for The Witcher 4.
CD Projekt has evolved in recent years to become a bigger studio that is making multiple games simultaneously. In addition to Hadar and The Witcher 4, CD Projekt’s teams are working on a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, a remake of the original Witcher, and a Witcher spin-off called Sirius.
Project Hadar development news
CD Projekt announced Project Hadar in October 2022. At the time, the studio said the game was “created from scratch” and was, at the time, in the “earliest stages of the creative process.” At the time, the studio made it clear that it was not developing an actual game yet, but instead putting together the “foundation” for a game.
No one should expect Project Hadar to be released anytime soon. The Witcher 4 is the studio’s current main focus, and it just entered full production at the end of 2024.
CD Projekt making a new IP is a major development for the studio, as the company is best known for its adaptations of other creator’s works. The Witcher is based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s novel series, while Cyberpunk 2077 is based on Mike Pondsmith’s role-playing game.