Summary
It’s a busy time forCD Projekt Red(CDPR). The studio is currently developing four games across its ecosystem; Sirius (The Witcherspin-off), Polaris (The Witcher 4), Orion (Cyberpunk 2077sequel) and Hadar (a new IP). In order to get feedback on all of these projects, the studio is bringing its RED playtesting program to the United States, headquartered at the studio’s new office in Boston (thanks,GamesRadar+).
The requirements to become a CDPR playtester are fairly simple. You need to be at least 16 years old, able and willing to travel to Boston for “on-site activities, “passionate about gaming and eager to share your insights,” and also not involved in game development in a professional capacity.
True Gamers Only
That’s not too complicated, but theFAQ sectionof the program contains a humorous caveat. After you’ve signed up, the selection process will factor in your “gamer profile.” The section reads, “If your gamer profile aligns with what we’re looking for, we’ll reach out to you either through email or by phone to ask about your upcoming availability. All playtests will be scheduled at least a few days in advance.”
Now, what exactly is a top-quality gamer profile? We’re not sure, really. Presumably, CDPR wants a mix of candidates who are experienced with the genre and those who aren’t, to see how their product appeals to both the target market and the non-target market. Between you and me, if you haven’t completed The Witcher 3 on Death March blindfolded while riding a horse named Roach then don’t bother applying.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to play an in-development game, give feedback, answer questions and perhaps even get hooked up to sensory equipment to provide analytical data to CDPR. This is interesting, perhaps if the developers can see where your eyes are drawn, or which parts of the game cause a spike in heart rate, they can pinpoint the most exciting and engaging elements of their demo? It’s a bit dystopian, but interesting nonetheless.
There isn’t much public information about The Witcher 4 except that it’s being built on Unreal Engine 5 and is intended to be the beginning of a new trilogy. The sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 is also being developed on Unreal Engine 5, and is primarily developed by CDPR Boston and Vancouver.
The Witcher
Geralt of Rivia is a witcher, a hunter bred for killing monsters through a series of mutations that give him superhuman abilities. His destiny becomes entwined with that of a young princess, Ciri of Cintra. Andrzej Sapkowski’s six novels and numerous short stories have served as the basis for a series of video games by CD Projekt Red, and a hit TV show produced by Netflix.
