The Leak That Wasn’t Supposed to Happen
Borys Niespielak, a respected Polish gaming journalist with connections deep inside CD Projekt Red, just accidentally (or deliberately) spoiled what appears to be a surprise announcement planned for The Game Awards tonight. According to discussions spreading across Reddit and gaming forums, Niespielak mentioned that a third “IYKYK” project from CD Projekt is slated for 2026 release and was supposed to be kept under wraps until the big reveal. Now fans are scrambling to figure out what this mystery game could be, with theories ranging from Witcher 3 DLC to something completely unexpected.
The timing is suspicious. The Game Awards airs tonight at 4:30 PM PT, CD Projekt has been conspicuously quiet about what they’re showing, and Niespielak has a proven track record of accurate insider information dating back to the Cyberpunk 2077 days. When he speaks about CD Projekt projects, people listen. The fact that he characterized this as something that “was supposed to be a surprise” suggests either he jumped the gun on embargo timing or he’s deliberately building hype for whatever CD Projekt plans to unveil in just a few hours.
What Does IYKYK Mean
For those not fluent in CD Projekt’s project codenames, the company uses internal designations for games in development before official titles are announced. The “IYKYK” reference likely connects to CD Projekt’s publicly known pipeline of projects announced during their 2022 strategy update. At that time, the studio revealed they were working on multiple games simultaneously, including Project Polaris (the next mainline Witcher game), Project Sirius (a multiplayer Witcher spin-off), Project Orion (Cyberpunk 2077’s sequel), Project Canis Majoris (The Witcher 1 remake), and Project Hadar (an entirely new IP).
The mention of a “third” project suggests this isn’t Polaris or Orion, the two most prominently discussed games in development. That leaves several possibilities. Could it be related to Project Sirius, the multiplayer Witcher game being developed by The Molasses Flood that CD Projekt essentially restarted in 2023 after the initial work didn’t meet expectations? Is it connected to Project Canis Majoris, the Witcher 1 remake being handled by Fool’s Theory? Or is this something completely off the radar that hasn’t been publicly acknowledged yet?
The 2026 release window is particularly interesting. CD Projekt joint-CEO Michal Nowakowski confirmed in a recent earnings call that The Witcher 4 (Project Polaris) will not launch in 2026, meaning 2027 at the earliest. Cyberpunk 2 is even further behind in development. So what CD Projekt project could realistically hit 2026? A remake of an existing game makes sense from a timeline perspective. So does DLC for an existing property. Or it could be a smaller-scale project that doesn’t require the years of development time the mainline RPGs demand.
The Witcher 3 DLC Theory That Won’t Die
One persistent rumor that keeps circulating involves additional DLC content for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Yes, that game launched in 2015, a full decade ago. But hear this out. The game recently received a massive next-gen update in 2022 that brought it to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S with improved visuals and performance. It continues selling extremely well, with CD Projekt frequently citing it as a revenue driver. The Netflix series has introduced millions of new players to Geralt’s world. Creating new story content for an existing, beloved game makes far more business sense than starting from scratch.
Rumors about a third Witcher 3 expansion have bubbled up periodically over the past year. Some Polish forum discussions referenced by Niespielak and other insiders have mentioned Fool’s Theory, the studio currently handling the Witcher 1 remake, potentially working on new Witcher 3 content alongside that remake. The expansion would supposedly introduce a new region, continue Geralt’s story in some capacity, and leverage the updated next-gen engine to deliver something that feels fresh despite being DLC for a decade-old game.
This theory aligns with the 2026 timeline. DLC doesn’t require the same multi-year development cycles as full games. Fool’s Theory employs numerous veterans who worked on Witcher 2 and Witcher 3, meaning they intimately understand the engine, systems, and world. CD Projekt could position new Witcher 3 content as a bridge between the Survivor trilogy’s conclusion and The Witcher 4’s eventual arrival, keeping fans engaged with the franchise while buying more development time for Polaris.
Or It’s Something Completely Different
The alternative is that Niespielak is referencing a project nobody has correctly guessed yet. CD Projekt has been notoriously secretive about certain initiatives, and their 2022 strategy update acknowledged they’re working on more projects than what was publicly detailed. Could there be a mobile Witcher game in development? A smaller-scale spin-off targeting a different genre entirely? A collaboration with another studio that hasn’t leaked yet?
There’s also Project Sirius to consider. That multiplayer Witcher game effectively restarted development in 2023 after CD Projekt wasn’t satisfied with the initial direction. The studio cut costs, reassessed the project, and gave themselves time to reevaluate. Could Sirius be back on track with a 2026 target? The game was described as offering multiplayer gameplay on top of a single-player experience including a campaign with quests and story. That’s ambitious, but if development has progressed smoothly since the reset, two and a half years is reasonable for a project that already had foundational work completed.
Then there’s the wild card: Project Hadar, CD Projekt’s entirely new IP being developed from scratch. That project was described as being in the earliest conceptual stages as of 2022, which typically means it’s years away from announcement. But what if development accelerated? What if CD Projekt wants to establish this new universe earlier than expected to diversify their portfolio beyond Witcher and Cyberpunk? A 2026 launch for a brand-new IP would be aggressive but not impossible if the game’s scope is manageable.
Why Borys Niespielak’s Word Matters
Borys Niespielak isn’t some random Reddit leaker making wild claims for attention. He’s an established Polish gaming journalist who has appeared on popular podcasts discussing CD Projekt Red’s projects, often with insider knowledge that proves accurate months later. During Cyberpunk 2077’s troubled development, Niespielak correctly reported on performance issues affecting PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions long before the disastrous launch. His sources within CD Projekt and the Polish gaming industry have repeatedly proven reliable.
When Niespielak says something is happening, he’s typically operating from actual knowledge rather than speculation. The fact that he characterized this mystery project as “supposed to be a surprise” suggests he either got his embargo timing wrong and revealed something too early, or he’s strategically building anticipation for a reveal he knows is imminent. Either way, his track record means fans and media take his statements seriously rather than dismissing them as baseless rumors.
The Polish gaming industry is relatively tight-knit, with journalists, developers, and insiders maintaining close relationships. Information flows more freely than in larger markets, and someone with Niespielak’s connections can access details that wouldn’t leak through traditional channels. That proximity to sources is both a strength and a potential liability, as it makes keeping surprises under wraps increasingly difficult when journalists are actively discussing what they’ve heard behind closed doors.
What to Expect Tonight
If Niespielak’s information is accurate and CD Projekt really does have a surprise announcement planned for The Game Awards, what form will it take? The most likely scenario is a brief teaser trailer or developer message at the end of tonight’s broadcast. CD Projekt hasn’t officially confirmed their presence at the show, which could indicate they’re saving everything for maximum surprise impact. A quick 60-90 second trailer revealing a new project with a 2026 window would generate massive buzz heading into the new year.
Alternatively, this could be part of a larger CD Projekt segment where they provide updates on multiple projects simultaneously. Imagine a scenario where they briefly touch on The Witcher 4’s progress, announce the mystery 2026 project, and maybe even tease something Cyberpunk-related. That would position CD Projekt as having a robust pipeline of content coming over the next few years rather than the perception that they’re only working on two massive RPGs that won’t arrive until the late 2020s.
There’s also the possibility that Niespielak’s information relates to something that won’t actually be shown tonight despite original plans. Game announcements get shuffled, delayed, or canceled all the time. What was supposed to be a Game Awards reveal could have been pushed to a future State of Play, a dedicated CD Projekt showcase, or held back entirely if the project isn’t ready for public consumption yet. In that case, Niespielak’s comments would be accurate about the project existing and targeting 2026, but the timing of the reveal might have changed.
FAQs
Who is Borys Niespielak?
Borys Niespielak is a respected Polish gaming journalist with established connections inside CD Projekt Red. He has a proven track record of accurate insider information dating back to Cyberpunk 2077’s development and regularly appears on Polish gaming podcasts discussing industry news.
What is the IYKYK project?
IYKYK likely references CD Projekt’s internal codenames for projects in development. The company has publicly announced several projects including The Witcher 4 (Polaris), Cyberpunk 2 (Orion), a Witcher remake (Canis Majoris), a multiplayer Witcher game (Sirius), and a new IP (Hadar). The “third” project Niespielak referenced remains unclear.
Could this be Witcher 3 DLC?
It’s possible. Persistent rumors suggest Fool’s Theory, the studio working on the Witcher 1 remake, might also be developing a third expansion for Witcher 3. The game continues selling well, recently received a next-gen update, and DLC would fit a 2026 timeline better than a full new game.
When are The Game Awards 2025?
The Game Awards 2025 airs tonight at 4:30 PM Pacific Time, 7:30 PM Eastern Time, or 12:30 AM GMT on December 12. The show streams live on YouTube, Twitch, and multiple other platforms.
Has CD Projekt confirmed they’re at The Game Awards?
No. CD Projekt has not officially confirmed their presence at tonight’s show, which could indicate they’re planning a surprise announcement or simply aren’t participating this year. The lack of confirmation has fueled speculation about potential surprise reveals.
When is The Witcher 4 coming out?
Not in 2026. CD Projekt confirmed The Witcher 4 (Project Polaris) will not launch in 2026, meaning 2027 at the absolute earliest. The game is currently in full production with plans to have around 400 developers working on it by mid-2024.
What other projects is CD Projekt working on?
Beyond The Witcher 4, CD Projekt is developing Cyberpunk 2 (Project Orion), a Witcher 1 remake (Canis Majoris) with Fool’s Theory, a multiplayer Witcher game (Sirius) with The Molasses Flood, and an entirely new IP (Hadar). Two more Witcher games will follow after Polaris, creating a new trilogy planned for release within six years.
Why would CD Projekt announce something now?
The Game Awards provides a massive global platform with over 154 million viewers. Announcing a 2026 project now gives CD Projekt over a year to build marketing momentum while addressing perceptions that the studio has nothing coming soon. It would also help maintain franchise visibility between major releases.
Conclusion
Borys Niespielak’s revelation about a secret CD Projekt project planned for 2026 has ignited speculation hours before The Game Awards begins. Whether it’s Witcher 3 DLC, the multiplayer Sirius project, something related to the Witcher 1 remake, or a complete wild card nobody has guessed, the possibility of a surprise announcement tonight adds extra intrigue to an already packed show. CD Projekt’s silence on their Game Awards participation makes this even more tantalizing. Are they genuinely absent, or are they saving everything for a surprise reveal that will dominate gaming conversations tomorrow? Set those reminders for 4:30 PM PT and prepare to find out if Niespielak’s insider knowledge pans out. After years of turbulent development, multiple delays, and the slow rebuilding of trust following Cyberpunk 2077’s disastrous launch, CD Projekt could use a win. A surprise 2026 project that excites fans without overpromising would be exactly the kind of positive momentum the studio desperately needs heading into the home stretch of The Witcher 4’s development. Whether tonight delivers that moment or leaves fans still guessing, the speculation alone demonstrates how much goodwill CD Projekt still commands despite everything. The Witcher and Cyberpunk universes remain beloved, and fans are hungry for literally anything new to sink their teeth into while waiting for the next generation of adventures.