CD Projekt Red is pulling support for Gwent: The Witcher Card Game although players will still be able to enjoy the game for years to come the developer has reassured.
The card game will receive new cards and esports tournaments will remain active through next year but these updates will end in 2024 as CDPR moves staff around internally. IGN reported that the developer intends to maintain a small number of staff to keep Gwent running but that remaining team members are moving to other projects.
Gwent will get 72 new cards in three expansions planned for April, July, and September 2023 while there are two esports tournaments still on the cards. Monthly balance updates will continue as normal. CDPR intends to make the game as playable as possible, with a balanced card pool, and include features that should hopefully make Gwent a smooth experience indefinitely.
Gwent first released in closed beta in October 2016 and enjoyed its five-year anniversary this year. On Twitter CDPR staff shared reminiscences of their time spent working on Gwent. Senior Communications Manager Pawel Burza said: "The last 7 years with @PlayGwent were the best years of my professional career. I've met so many amazing people and made so many unforgettable friendships. I'll always look back at this time with a huge smile. Let's make 2023 as epic as possible!"
Gwent was a popular card game within The Witcher 3 and CD Projekt Red went on to launch it as a standalone title that included mobile platforms. An expansion Gwent: Rogue Mage released this summer. But the Polish developer has multiple projects on the go, including a new Witcher game as well as sequels alongside Cyberpunk 2077 support and a new IP, so it has rather a lot on its plate. Sunsetting Gwent frees up more of its talent to work on these other projects but at least Gwent fans will be able to continue to play the game.