CD Projekt boss rejects 'conspiracy theory' against diversity in games: 'We are living in a time where anyone can record complete rubbish and make a story from it'

Michal Nowakowski, joint CEO of CD Projekt, has responded strongly to the accusations that the studio is "in a lot trouble right now" due to "diversity hirings," stating that those peddling such nonsense should "stop looking for conspiracies."

Nowakowski responded to a YouTuber named Endymion who has a history of complaining loudly about diversity and "wokeness".

"CDPR talent leaving?" We have had the lowest rotation in recent years. DEI-driven recruitment? We hire solely on talent and merit, just like we create games based on artistic vision. Why did we choose Unreal Engine? We chose it because it allows us to work more efficiently on our games and stay at the forefront of technology. The Witcher 3 director left? "Yes, it was more than two years ago... Can we now stop looking at conspiracy theories and get back to making cool things?"

It's important to note, as a positive aspect, that CD Projekt makes a point to embrace diversity initiatives, despite Nowakowski’s "on talent and merit alone" comment. The company has signed the Diversity Charter, a document that commits to non-discrimination at work and to policies that promote diversity. The 30% Club, a non-profit organization that aims to increase the number of women on board seats and in executive leadership positions of companies around the world, recognized the company's menstrual leave initiative in 2023. It also created Girls in the Game! a mentoring program and scholarship that helps girls in high schools "take their first step in the videogames industry."

I'm not by nature a corporate cheerleader, but it is clear that these and other programs are good for videogames and the industry. CD Projekt leadership deserves praise for being so forthright about this in public statements.

Adam Kicinski, CD Projekt's chief strategy officer, says that "our mission is to create innovative games for players all over the world and this IS WHY we NEED to empower the potential in our teams." In a message posted on the Diversity and Inclusion page of the studio, he explains. "Diversity of perspectives unlocks creative thinking and increases innovation."

It's nice to see industry executives push back on this kind of ridiculous nonsense. I'd love to see more of it but I have to wonder how the accusations came about. CD Projekt created one of the best-loved videogames ever. When it dropped one of history's most infamous bombs, it spent years transforming it into the most famous videogame redemption story of all-time. It has multiple highly anticipated projects in the works at studios around the globe. Where is the imagined negative effect of diverse hiring? Let alone "dire trouble"? I'm sure that the only place where this is a problem is in people's imaginations.