CD Projekt Red, Techland get grants from Polish government for video game research

It looks like The Witcher 3's successors may get even more wonderful.

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Several of Poland's largest game developers have received grant money from the country's National Center for Research of Development, with CD Projekt Red getting more than $7 million.

The Witcher 3 developer submitted for proposals (via WCCFTech) to the organization, laying out various areas of game development in which it hoped to gain better insight. The proposals, all of which were approved, were for:

  • City Creation: Comprehensive technology for the creation of “live”, playable in real-time, cities of great scale based on the principles of artificial intelligence and automation and taking into account the development of innovative processes and tools supporting the creation of high-quality open world games.
  • Seamless Multiplayer: Comprehensive technology enables the creation of unique gameplay for many players, taking into account the search of opponents, session management, replication facilities, and support of a variety of game modes along with a unique set of dedicated tools.
  • Cinematic Feel: Comprehensive technology for providing a unique, film quality RPG with open world, also taking into account innovative solutions Process and unique set of dedicated tools.
  • Animation Excellence: Comprehensive technology enabling a significant increase in quality and production of complex face and body animations for open world RPG games, also taking into account the innovative process solutions and a unique set of dedicated tools.

The multiplayer proposal is perhaps the most intriguing, given that all of CD projekt red's previous titles have been single-player only. Whether this could be in advance of Cyberpunk 2077 or some unannounced title is uncertain, but it will be interesting to see what the developer comes up with. 

An additional proposal for GOG.com was also approved, focusing on a “generic support cross-platform multiplayer gaming software for popular consoles and operating systems”.

"Developing videogames is a hyperinnovative activity, but also one which carries substantial financial risks, involves continuous R&D work and requires much experimentation and prototyping along the way," CD Projekt Red president  Adam Kicinski said in a statement. "The GameINN program – a fruit of our industry’s collaborative efforts – will, in the coming years, enable Polish developers to carry out nearly 40 projects worth 191 million PLN. I am confident that the resulting innovative solutions will further elevate the quality of Polish videogames and enhance our competitiveness on the global stage. Indeed, our industry now has the potential to become the champion of the modern Polish economy."

Techland received two grants, one for " developing a prototype for an action RPG set in an original fantasy world, played in FPP (first person perspective) and using DX12 technology," possibly for its planned open-world RPG.

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