Hey everyone, as a die-hard gamer who's been glued to Cyberpunk 2077 since day one, I couldn't help but get excited when Igor Sarzyński, CD Projekt Red's creative director, finally shut down that old fan theory about the elevators. You know the one—where people claimed those slow rides were just sneaky loading screens? Well, in a recent Bluesky rant back in December 2025, Sarzyński put it to rest once and for all, and I've got all the juicy details to share with you. Plus, he dropped some hints about CDPR's massive lineup of upcoming games, which includes not just the Cyberpunk sequel but a whole new Witcher trilogy! Let's dive in and unpack this together.

Igor Sarzyński's Journey at CD Projekt Red

I've always admired how folks climb the ranks in the gaming world, and Sarzyński's story is a real inspiration. He joined CDPR way back in 2011 as a QA tester—yeah, starting from the bottom—and steadily worked his way up. By 2012, he was a cinematic designer, then senior in 2015, lead in 2017, and finally, he became a cinematic director in 2020. Fast forward to January 2024, and boom, he's promoted to creative director! 🚀 That's when he took charge of the narrative for Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and now, he's a key voice for the Cyberpunk sequel, Project Orion. Talk about a glow-up! His experience shows why he's the perfect person to debunk myths; after all, he's been in the trenches for over a decade.

The Infamous Elevator Theory Debunked

Alright, let's get to the meat of it. For years, fans speculated that Cyberpunk 2077's elevators were cleverly disguised loading screens—you know, to mask the game loading assets while you're stuck waiting. But Sarzyński set the record straight in a fiery Bluesky post on December 22, 2025. He called it a "mini rant" and said, "no, elevators in cyberpunk are not 'cleverly concealed loading screens'." Can you believe that? He argued it doesn't make sense because the game handles huge city traversals without loading screens, so why would a simple penthouse visit need tricks? He even added, "we could make it transparent if we wanted. this engine is a miracle. i will not accept slander." That's some serious confidence! To visualize this, here's a shot from the game that sparked all the debate: cdpr-creative-director-debunks-cyberpunk-elevator-theory-and-updates-future-games-image-0. This theory dates back to 2020, with Reddit posts claiming longer elevator times on HDDs versus SSDs, but CDPR devs have tried to disprove it before—only for it to resurface. Sarzyński's final word? Elevators are in Night City because "it makes sense" for the setting, not as a technical crutch. What a relief, right? I mean, as gamers, we've all been there, staring at those doors, wondering if it's loading or just bad design—now we know it's pure immersion!

Why the Switch to Unreal Engine 5?

Now, this part got spicy. After Sarzyński's post, a Bluesky user fired back, asking, "Why'd you dump it for Unreal 5 then?" referring to CDPR's move from their own REDengine to Unreal Engine 5 for future projects. Sarzyński's reply was gold: "we wanna make games, not engines." 😂 That echoes what CDPR's tech VP, Charles Tremblay, said in November 2024—they shifted to streamline multi-project workflows. Think about it: building engines is a huge resource drain, and with so many games in the pipeline, it makes total sense to focus on creating awesome experiences instead of tech headaches. As a player, I'm all for this; it means faster, smoother releases without the engine drama. Plus, Unreal 5 is a powerhouse, so I'm hyped to see how it elevates their upcoming titles.

CD Projekt Red's Current Game Lineup

CDPR has a whopping seven games cooking right now, and as a fan, I'm buzzing with anticipation. Most are based on The Witcher IP, but there's variety for everyone. Here’s a quick rundown of what's in development:

  • The Witcher 4: Officially unveiled at The Game Awards 2024, this is likely the next release. It kicks off a new trilogy, and CDPR plans to deliver all three within six years—by 2031, based on their November 2025 earnings call. How's that for ambition?

  • The Witcher 5 and 6: Sequels to the new trilogy, following Witcher 4. No details yet, but expect epic storytelling!

  • The Witcher Remake: Developed by Fool's Theory, but it's been quiet lately. Hope we hear more soon!

  • Project Sirius: A Witcher spinoff that had a rough start—restarted in 2023 and now handled by CDPR after absorbing The Molasses Flood earlier this year. It's had a public dev cycle, so fingers crossed for updates.

  • Project Orion: The Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, with Sarzyński leading. This one's personal for me; after the Phantom Liberty expansion, I can't wait to dive back into Night City.

  • Project Hadar: A brand-new IP, meaning fresh worlds and stories. CDPR is tight-lipped, but it's exciting to imagine what they'll create.

To make this clearer, here's a table summarizing the projects and their statuses:

Game Title Type Current Status
The Witcher 4 New Trilogy Starter In development, likely next release
The Witcher 5 Sequel Early stages, part of trilogy
The Witcher 6 Sequel Early stages, part of trilogy
The Witcher Remake Remake Quiet, no recent updates
Project Sirius Witcher Spinoff Restarted in 2023, CDPR absorbed dev team
Project Orion Cyberpunk Sequel Led by Sarzyński, in active dev
Project Hadar New IP Under wraps, details scarce

CDPR hasn't confirmed any release dates yet, which is a bummer, but with their six-year plan for the Witcher trilogy, I'm betting we'll see Witcher 4 by 2026 or 2027. As for Project Orion and Project Hadar, they're still in the oven, but Sarzyński's involvement gives me high hopes. 🤩

Final Thoughts and What It Means for Us Gamers

Wrapping up, Sarzyński's debunking of the elevator theory is a win for transparency in gaming—it shows devs care about setting the record straight. And with CDPR's packed slate, the future looks bright. Personally, I'm stoked for Project Orion; after all, Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way with updates, and a sequel could be mind-blowing. But let's not forget the challenges, like Project Sirius's rocky path—it reminds us that game dev isn't always smooth sailing. Still, with Sarzyński at the helm for some projects, I trust they'll deliver quality. So, what do you think? Are you team Witcher or team Cyberpunk for the next big release? Either way, 2025 is shaping up to be an epic year for CDPR fans!