CD Projekt Red Achieves Better Work-Life Balance, According to Phantom Liberty Director

CD Projekt Red has made significant strides in improving its employees' work-life balance, according to Gabe Amantangelo, the director of the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 expansion Phantom Liberty. In an interview with Bloomberg, Amantangelo stated that the company has implemented new policies to prevent burnout, including a system that alerts management if an employee works extended hours. Employees are also limited in the amount of extra hours they can work. Amantangelo noted, "Fortunately, we have a very healthy work-life balance right now." While some staff members have confirmed this improvement, others have indicated that the issue of work-life balance at CD Projekt Red is still complex. The company has faced criticism for crunch time, low pay, and other issues since 2017, particularly during the development of The Witcher 3. In 2019, CD Projekt Red promised a non-obligatory crunch policy, but it was later revealed that employees were still required to work extra hours on Cyberpunk 2077. The longer development cycle for Phantom Liberty, which is being released two years after the base game, may be a factor in the reduced crunch time. However, it is also possible that the extra time is needed to address the technical issues that plagued Cyberpunk 2077 at launch. Amantangelo praised the company's commitment to reducing crunch, saying, "The commitment to change from a board level is something else, really. I was struck by the humility and willingness to change."