We underestimated the range of problems on the »Vortex consoles
The state of Cyberpunk became the subject of not only many discussions and articles on the Internet, but also a conference call with investors and representatives of the financial media, in which representatives of the CD Project answered some unpleasant questions from the launch parties and the technical side. You can find his entire transcript in English on the studio’s website, so we will select only some important questions, because he will publish the whole on almost ten densely described pages. Even so, prepare for a proper load of information.
It is said that it is too early to say how many complaints there will be, but the team would rather have customers wait and be convinced by further updates.
Studio co-founder Marcin Iwiński said they did not encourage players to return the game and hope to give the authors a chance to improve Cyberpunk on old consoles. But it is a possibility. Players can request a refund. It is said that it is too early to say how many complaints there will be, but the team would rather have customers wait and be convinced by further updates. Michał Nowakowski, responsible for publishing activities, emphasized that the refund of digital versions on consoles is decided by Sony and Microsoft. According to him, they have their own rules for this, which also apply to Cyberpunk. He also partially answered the question why complaints about digital versions do not take place automatically and why some customers have problems with them, as we wrote this morning.
Nowakowski indicated that he did not think that the version for the old consoles would help if even more developers joined the project. The head of the company, Adam Kiciński, again answered the question of whether more testers would help them and whether the game should not be tested externally. Kiciński explained that they have their own QA team, but also work with other companies. He complained about the consequences of the pandemic, saying that testers from external companies could not try the game from home. They can only test at work, which was a problem because there were fewer testers. But Kiciński does not think that this is the main source of problems.
Sony and Microsoft relied on developers to fix the bugs until they were released. Which, in the end, didn’t happen as the team had planned.
The questions also concerned whether the studio should not postpone Cyberpunk until next year. Michał Nowakowski said the team focused more on the PC version and next-gen than on aging systems. He admitted that they did not devote enough time to this problem. As for the certification process on consoles, Michał Nowakowski assumes that Sony and Microsoft relied on developers to fix the bugs until they were released. Which, in the end, didn’t happen as the team had planned.
The question was also asked whether the developers are convinced that the slowest consoles will be able to offer an acceptable version of Cyberpunk. Michał Nowakowski stated that they planned to deliver the game in much better condition than it is now. Many changes will still come during December, January and February. We’ll see big improvements, but of course we don’t expect the title to look like a PC or next-gen consoles. Michał Nowakowski said that the result will be a well-playable title without glitches and falls.
“We didn’t give the media a chance to review it correctly (console version) and it’s definitely our fault.”
The interviewer wondered why the CD Projekt did not show gameplay from old consoles before the game was released. Marcin Iwiński said the team showed the game, but not on the weakest consoles. The reason was said to be that they updated the game on these systems until the last moment and thought that they would make it in time. That’s why the media got to this version just before the release, which was too late, as the studio now admits. “We did not give the media a chance to review it properly and it is undoubtedly our fault,” said Iwiński. However, he denied that it was an intention. According to him, only the game was corrected until the last moments.
There was also talk about whether it is possible that the price of the console version would fall if the game is not in the same condition as on a PC. Adam Kiciński reiterated that Cyberpunk will go through updates so that it does not crash, does not contain serious bugs, and improves its performance and graphics. According to him, the title is playable even now, which is important according to him. Because it’s not that Cyberpunk doesn’t start or play on consoles. “I fully understand that this experience is far from satisfactory for many people and we are aware of it,” said Kiciński. Probably that is why the Projekt Projekt is not considering any discount on CDs yet. They are said to focus on repairs and ensuring that players are satisfied with the product.
The average score from PC players is growing. According to him, the more time they spend playing, the more they enjoy it.
Could the authors have released the game without the old console version? Adam Kiciński admitted that, in theory, perhaps he did. They could only release the PC version and they couldn’t just release the next-gen version, which is completely different. There are no native next-gen versions yet. Marcin Iwiński stressed that the next-gen version is not ready, but everyone who bought the existing one will receive the promised upgrade for free next year. That’s why the team believes that Cyberpunk customers will not give up, because they can count on the next-gen version without additional investment.
CFO Piotr Nielubowicz said that the initial sales of the game were very good and the feedback from players on the PC is much better than on the consoles. Even PC players have some problems with different configurations, admitted Michał Nowakowski, but this is common. However, he thinks that most PC gamers enjoy Cyberpunk and share their positive impressions. Adam Kiciński said that every day the response is better. The average score from PC players is rising. According to him, the more time they spend playing the game, the more they enjoy it. The response from the consoles is less flattering, but even here the authors are said to hear a lot of good feedback. Adam Kiciński said that it is not the case that the owners of the oldest consoles were just dissatisfied. However, he admitted that the first wave was very negative, especially after the CD Projekt in the campaign showed the PC version. But even satisfied players on old consoles are said to be increasing.
“We underestimated the scale and complexity of the problems, ignoring the signals that the game needed more time to tune in to the basic old consoles.”
Michał Nowakowski also indicated that the behavior of artificial intelligence and NPCs is also counted among developers as bugs. We can probably expect some improvements in gameplay in this regard. Adam Kiciński admitted that after three delays in Cyberpunk, they were too focused on releasing the game as a leader. “We underestimated the scale and complexity of the problems, ignoring the signals that the game needs more time to tune in to the basic old consoles,” said Kiciński. “It was a bad attitude and against our business philosophy. In addition, during the campaign we showed the game mostly on a PC, “he added.
According to him, this led to a loss of trust and reputation, which they had long built. Therefore, the first steps of the study will lead to their acquisition. Kiciński promised to fix Cyberpunk on last-gen consoles. More updates will come during the week. “We really hope that our efforts will restore the trust we have lost,” he added.
