A New Direction for Project Sirius
Project Sirius, the ambitious Witcher spinoff first teased in 2022, has faced a turbulent development cycle. In a bid to revitalize the title, the development team has brought on a significant new talent: Kwan Perng, a former senior narrative designer and lead at Bungie. Perng brings extensive experience to the project, having spent four years refining the expansive world of Destiny 2.
Proven Expertise in Narrative Design
Perng recently confirmed his appointment via social media. His track record is impressive, with involvement in several major Destiny 2 expansions, including The Witch Queen and Lightfall. Notably, he served as the narrative lead for The Final Shape, the expansion that concluded the game’s decade-long “Light and Darkness” saga to critical acclaim.
As noted in a review of The Final Shape:
«It's a big improvement from previous campaigns, which at their worst can feel like a meandering tour through destinations—spinning wheels to fill time ahead of the final confrontation. Here, you can see the castle you're progressing towards. The feeling of a journey—of the finality of your destination—gives some necessary stakes.»
Navigating a Difficult Development
Perng’s career recently saw a shift following the widespread layoffs at Bungie in July 2024, where he was among the 220 staff members affected. He subsequently held a role at Eleventh Hour Games before moving to his current position at CD Projekt. Regarding his new challenge, Perng noted:
«It will be some time before I can talk about the project, but in the meantime I've been immersing myself in the dark and eclectic universe of The Witcher. It's humbling to get the opportunity to tell stories in this world and in the company of such talented developers.»
The Future of the Witcher Spinoff
The road to development for Project Sirius has been far from straightforward. Since its inception, the project has undergone multiple reboots and restructuring phases. The studio responsible for the game, The Molasses Flood, has also seen significant internal changes since its acquisition by CD Projekt in 2021. Despite these persistent challenges, the decision to hire a high-profile narrative lead suggests that CD Projekt remains deeply committed to realizing its vision for the game, even if concrete details regarding the project's state remain scarce for the time being.