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As development on the next Witcher title intensifies, CD Projekt Red is bolstering its creative leadership with seasoned industry talent. The studio recently announced the appointment of Dorian Kieken as its new AI Director—a BioWare veteran with nearly a decade of experience crafting some of the most celebrated RPGs in gaming history, including the Mass Effect series.
Kieken’s impressive eight-year tenure at BioWare, as detailed on his LinkedIn, saw him rise from a producer on Sonic Chronicles to the role of Development Director and co-founder of the company’s Montreal branch.
During that time, he was instrumental in the production of Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, overseeing both core development and post-launch expansions. After departing BioWare in 2015, he ventured into the tech sector to establish AI Redefined (AIR), a startup dedicated to advanced artificial intelligence solutions.
His return to the gaming sphere marks a significant acquisition for the Polish developer. Kieken confirmed his transition to CD Projekt Red in a recent social media update, expressing his excitement about merging his two professional worlds.
“After eight years of developing iconic RPGs at BioWare and another eight years pioneering AI at AI Redefined, I am thrilled to integrate these expertise in my new role as AI Director at CDPR,” he shared.
Following 8 years of building memorable RPGs at BioWare and 8 years of building cutting-edge AI solutions at AI Redefined, it is finally time to bring all of that together in my new role at CDPR as AI Director, responsible for the company’s AI vision and strategy. So excited! pic.twitter.com/J8emmtGEyE
— Dorian Kieken (@doriankieken) February 8, 2026
In his new capacity, Kieken will be “responsible for the company’s AI vision and strategy,” a role that could fundamentally shape how NPCs and systems interact in the upcoming Witcher saga. This move continues a recent trend of high-profile hires for the studio; just months ago, former Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Felix Pedulla joined the team as a senior cinematic designer.
Kieken’s return to game development follows the acquisition of his startup, AI Redefined, by CM Labs late last year. With a blend of AAA RPG heritage and modern AI innovation, his leadership arrives at a pivotal moment for CD Projekt Red as they look to redefine the open-world genre once again.
Industry analysts estimate that The Witcher 4 could see a combined development and marketing budget approaching $800 million, while also hinting at potential new content for The Witcher 3 in the near future.
Source: gamesradar.com
