CD Projekt Red has absorbed The Molasses Flood, a Boston-based game developer known for titles like The Flame in the Flood and Drake Hollow, following a merger that took effect on April 1, 2025.
CD Projekt acquired The Molasses Flood in 2021, and under their ownership, the studio began working on “Project Sirius,” a multiplayer Witcher game. The team at The Molasses Flood brought significant experience, with several veterans having previously worked on major franchises such as Bioshock, Halo, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band. Following the merger, The Molasses Flood ceased to exist as a separate legal entity, with CD Projekt Red Inc. assuming all rights and obligations.
According to an official statement from The Molasses Flood, the merger will not affect the availability or distribution of their existing games, The Flame in the Flood and Drake Hollow, which will continue to be published by CD Projekt Group. This announcement was made alongside the news that Damian Isla, co-founder of The Molasses Flood, would be leaving the studio.
In a LinkedIn post, Isla confirmed his departure, stating that his last day at the studio was the last Monday before the merger took effect. Isla viewed the merger positively, believing it would break down organizational barriers and better integrate The Molasses Flood’s team into CD Projekt Red. He expressed optimism about the future of “Project Sirius,” describing it as “an amazing game, one for the books.” Isla had served as the Design Director for “Project Sirius” for three years.
The acquisition of The Molasses Flood by CD Projekt in 2021 is speculated by industry watchers to have been motivated by The Molasses Flood’s expertise in Unreal Engine, a game engine that CD Projekt Red later adopted for their projects. After the release of Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red transitioned from their in-house REDengine to Unreal Engine. The Molasses Flood’s involvement in “Project Sirius” was significant, and the project’s development cycle was restarted, as acknowledged by CD Projekt in May 2023.
CD Projekt has been expanding its operations, establishing new studios in Boston and Vancouver to work on “Project Orion,” a Cyberpunk sequel. Meanwhile, CD Projekt Red’s Warsaw team is focused on “Project Polaris,” also known as The Witcher 4, which entered full production last year.
