CD Projekt Debunks Sony Acquisition Rumors: Maintaining Independence and Pursuing Their Own Path
May-31-2023
Recently, there have been persistent rumors regarding a potential acquisition of CD Projekt by Sony. However, the Polish game developer has officially debunked these whispers, stating that there are no ongoing negotiations about any such deal. Reiterating its commitment to independence, CD Projekt has affirmed its desire to follow its own unique business trajectory and avoid being influenced by external corporations or interests.
The rumors of a takeover have persisted over the years, with Electronic Arts being mentioned as a potential buyer back in 2015, a claim that CD Projekt quickly dismissed. The speculations resurfaced in 2022 after CD Projekt announced a multi-year development plan and the departure of joint CEO Marcin Iwiński. However, industry analysts pointed out that there was no direct indication of an acquisition in these events.
With a recent leak suggesting that Sony planned to purchase CD Projekt, the studio has taken the unusual step of directly addressing and dismissing the claim. CD Projekt Red PR representative Ola Sondej firmly stated on Twitter that the studio is not in any such talks with Sony. This sentiment was echoed during the Q&A portion of CD Projekt's quarterly investor call, with CEO Adam Kiciński reiterating that the company is "not for sale" and intends to "remain independent."
While some believed that Sony might be looking to counteract Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision-Blizzard with the purchase of CD Projekt, this reasoning doesn't quite hold up under scrutiny. While CD Projekt has released highly successful and critically acclaimed single-player RPGs like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, these games do not carry the same presence and value as franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.
In conclusion, CD Projekt has emphatically dismissed the recent rumors of an acquisition by Sony, maintaining its commitment to charting its own course and preserving its independence. Their impressive sales figures, which recently passed the 50-million-copy milestone for The Witcher 3, demonstrate that CD Projekt is far from needing a corporate intervention. With the upcoming expansion for Cyberpunk 2077, Phantom Liberty, set to be showcased at the Summer Game Fest on June 8, the studio continues to demonstrate its dedication to creating innovative and exciting gaming experiences for its fans.