Episode 63: CD Projekt burns bridges with partners, players, and its own future (News show)

CD Projekt has botched Cyberpunk’s launch to get it out the door in 2020. The follow-up has included empty refund promises and throwing platform partners under the bus. We discuss the financial reasons behind the rush and the impact the failures have had on the share price and company value. TIME STAMPS [00:02:11] CD Projekt Red’s pattern of gaslighting and deception around Cyberpunk 2077 [1:03:00] Devotion announced and then immediately canceled for GOG [01:09:45] Keywords Studios acquisitions [01:11:35] Quick Hits [01:19:05] EA outbids Take-Two for Codemasters [01:23:15] Discord raises another $100 million [01:27:40] Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo team up for safer gaming SOURCES Cyberpunk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CyberpunkGame/status/1338390123373801472?s=20 CDPR Emergency Board Meeting: https://www.cdprojekt.com/en/wp-content/uploads-en/2020/12/call-transcript_en.pdf Sony refund announcement: https://twitter.com/AskPlayStation/status/1339737360184078336?s=20 Rami Ismail explains what certification is: https://twitter.com/tha_rami/status/1338978911678590984?s=20 CD Projekt / GOG changes mind on release of Devotion: https://twitter.com/GOGcom/status/1339227388438306817?s=20 Acquisition of High Voltage Software, Inc.: https://irpages2.equitystory.com/websites/rns_news/English/1100/news-tool---rns---eqs-group.html?article=31515082&company=keywords Acquisitions of Indigo Pearl and Jinglebell: https://irpages2.equitystory.com/websites/rns_news/English/1100/news-tool---rns---eqs-group.html?article=31521811&company=keywords Electronic Arts Reaches Agreement for Recommended Acquisition of Codemasters Group Holdings PLC: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201213005036/en/Electronic-Arts-Reaches-Agreement-for-Recommended-Acquisition-of-Codemasters-Group-Holdings-PLC Discord raises $100 million as its social hub hits 140 million users (GamesBeat): https://venturebeat.com/2020/12/17/discord-raises-100-million-as-its-social-hub-hits-140-million-users/ Our Shared Commitment to Safer Gaming (Xbox Wire): https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/12/14/shared-safety-principles/