CD Projekt Red, the studio behind The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, is working on a brand-new game called Project Hadar. A job ad posted on July 23, 2025, revealed exciting details about this game, hinting it will be an action RPG with a big focus on hand-to-hand fighting.
What is Project Hadar?
Unlike The Witcher or Cyberpunk 2077, which were based on books, Project Hadar is a completely original idea created by CD Projekt Red. It will have a fresh setting and characters, not tied to their other games.
The game will mix role-playing elements, like building your character and making choices, with action-packed gameplay. The job ad says they want someone with experience in RPGs that focus on close-up combat, meaning fighting with fists, swords, or other melee weapons will be a big part of the game.
The game is being made with Unreal Engine 5, a powerful tool that should make it look stunning and run smoothly on modern consoles and PCs.
Why the Focus on Hand-to-Hand Combat?
The job ad for a Senior Gameplay Designer asks for someone with at least five years of experience in action or RPG games that emphasize melee combat.
This suggests Project Hadar will have intense, up-close battles, possibly similar to The Witcher’s sword fights, but it could also include fistfights or other weapons like staffs or axes. Unlike Cyberpunk 2077, which focused more on guns, Hadar seems to lean toward physical, in-your-face action.
What Else Do We Know?
- Early Stages: Project Hadar is still in the planning phase, so it’s likely years away from release—possibly not until 2030 or later. The studio is currently shaping the game’s world and story.
- Other Projects First: CD Projekt Red is also working on The Witcher 4, a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, and other titles, so Hadar might come after those, as it’s less far along.
- No Setting Details: We don’t know if the game will be set in a fantasy world, a modern city, or something else entirely. Some fans guess it could be a modern fantasy with magic and monsters in a present-day setting, but that’s just speculation for now.
CD Projekt Red is known for making deep, story-driven games with rich worlds. Project Hadar is their first original idea, giving them freedom to create something totally new.
The focus on hand-to-hand combat could mean thrilling, skill-based fights, and the RPG elements promise a deep story and character choices. Fans are eager to see what the studio does with a fresh universe, especially after their success with The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077’s recovery.
When Can We Expect It?
Since Project Hadar is in early development, don’t expect it soon. The Witcher 4 is set for around 2027, and a Cyberpunk sequel might come after, so Hadar could be a decade away. For now, the studio is hiring people to help build the game’s foundation.
Project Hadar promises to be an exciting action RPG with a focus on close-up fighting, and it’s a chance for CD Projekt Red to show off a brand-new world.
