CD Projekt Red has officially absorbed its subsidiary studio The Molasses Flood, marking the end of the smaller Boston-based studio as an independent entity. The team, originally acquired in 2021, had been developing Project Sirius – a long-rumoured multiplayer Witcher spin-off. Now, that development will continue directly under CD Projekt Red, with The Molasses Flood ceasing to exist as a separate legal entity.
A Structural Shift, Not a Shutdown
According to an official statement from CD Projekt, all Molasses Flood employees were offered roles within the larger company, although specific details on who accepted those offers remain private. CDPR described the move as part of a strategy to “ensure even better alignment” on Project Sirius – a title which has faced delays, layoffs, and internal restructuring in the past year.
| Studio | Status | Notable Projects |
|---|---|---|
| The Molasses Flood | Absorbed into CDPR | The Flame in the Flood, Drake Hollow |
| Project Sirius | Still in development | Multiplayer Witcher spin-off |
Insider Tip: When studios are absorbed into larger publishers, it often signals a need for tighter creative control and resource alignment – especially after delays or leadership changes.
What Happened to Project Sirius?
Originally pitched as a multiplayer expansion of The Witcher universe, Project Sirius suffered a major setback in 2024, when CDPR laid off nearly 30 team members and restructured the project’s design direction. According to CD Projekt’s recent earnings call, the merger is expected to remove “organisational barriers” and improve communication and production workflow on Sirius. Damian Isla, co-founder of The Molasses Flood and design director on the project, has since left the company, calling the transition “the end of an era” but expressing optimism about the game’s future.
| Timeline | Event |
|---|---|
| 2021 | CDPR acquires The Molasses Flood |
| 2024 | Layoffs and re-scoping of Project Sirius |
| 2025 | Studio absorbed into CDPR; Isla departs |
Insider Tip: Multiplayer game development is a different beast compared to single-player RPGs. CDPR’s move to centralise development may help bring Sirius to market faster – but it’s also a sign the project needed tighter leadership.
The Bigger Picture for CD Projekt Red
CDPR has been refocusing its portfolio around its biggest IPs – Cyberpunk and The Witcher – while tightening internal processes after the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 and its successful Phantom Liberty expansion. Absorbing The Molasses Flood reflects CDPR’s ongoing effort to unify development pipelines and reduce fragmentation across its global teams. At the same time, The Flame in the Flood and Drake Hollow – The Molasses Flood’s earlier titles – will remain available and continue to be published by the CD Projekt Group, though no new content is expected.
Final Thoughts
While the dissolution of The Molasses Flood marks the end of a distinct voice in indie development, its absorption into CD Projekt Red signals a stronger push to bring Project Sirius to life. With increased resources and a streamlined structure, CDPR is betting on a cohesive internal approach to finally realise its ambitious multiplayer vision for The Witcher franchise. Expect more updates on Project Sirius in the months ahead, likely aligned with CDPR’s long-term roadmap.
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