Some thoughts on my visit to Warsaw and my first visit to CD PROJEKT RED studios
I have been to Warsaw once before. I was sent here in 2007 as part of a Mass Effect press event. I was here for 3 days in June (I think) and didn't really have much time to see the city or meet the people. Press events are very fast, all business and leave little time to actually get out of the hotel and experience the place you are visiting.
This trip. I'll have been in Warsaw for 10 days. It may not have had the summer weather of my previous visit, but I did get out to see the city (Old Town, the Zoo, Arkada shopping mall and more) and I have a better feel for Warsaw now. It is a great place, one I recommend you visit if you have the opportunity. I had some people on Twitter tell me Warsaw is an ugly city, but I disagree. The mix of historic buildings (recreated after the devastation of WW2), Communist architecture and new, modern development leaves you much to experience. The people I dealt with were all very kind to me. Many people do have some understanding of English, but even those who didn't speak English were forgiving of my inability to speak Polish. Food here is delicious and cheap. It is easy to get around due to the good public transport system or buses and trams. So, if you have the opportunity, come to Warsaw. It's worth the trip.
I had never been to CD PROJEKT RED's studio before. When I was in Warsaw in 2007, I met some developers who told me of their new video game they just made about The Witcher, a national Polish hero. They game me a copy and I've been a fan ever since, but I never visited the studio (most people who don't work for gaming companies rarely visit studios). I can't tell you a lot about the studio, due to secrets and reasons, but I can say a few things:
The studio keeps growing. They now have multiple floors in 3 different buildings in the complex here.
The lobby is filled with trophies, awards and cool CDPR memorabilia.
Just off the lobby, they have their own cafeteria with big screen TV and pool table for relaxation. The food served is vegetarian (as the company founder was vegetarian), but what I ate there was all delicious.
The washrooms are bright red. Red floors, walls, ceilings, and counters.
The rooms in the studio are wide, bright and roomy. No individual cubicles, few private offices. Lots of coworkers working closely with each other, talking and communicating easily.
People here are huge nerds. Desks are decorated with toys, knickknacks and general nerd stuff. To me, that means they're good people.
Coffee machines are abundant.
Walls are decorated with Witcher art, graphics, and memorabilia. I am trying to figure out if anyone would notice if I take the Mike Mignola Dark Horse Witcher comic original art when I leave.
Overall, it's a great studio.
So a thank you to my new, fellow teammates at CD PROJEKT RED and the people of Warsaw for making me feel welcome and at home during my visit. I can't wait to return again soon.
I have been to Warsaw once before. I was sent here in 2007 as part of a Mass Effect press event. I was here for 3 days in June (I think) and didn't really have much time to see the city or meet the people. Press events are very fast, all business and leave little time to actually get out of the hotel and experience the place you are visiting.
This trip. I'll have been in Warsaw for 10 days. It may not have had the summer weather of my previous visit, but I did get out to see the city (Old Town, the Zoo, Arkada shopping mall and more) and I have a better feel for Warsaw now. It is a great place, one I recommend you visit if you have the opportunity. I had some people on Twitter tell me Warsaw is an ugly city, but I disagree. The mix of historic buildings (recreated after the devastation of WW2), Communist architecture and new, modern development leaves you much to experience. The people I dealt with were all very kind to me. Many people do have some understanding of English, but even those who didn't speak English were forgiving of my inability to speak Polish. Food here is delicious and cheap. It is easy to get around due to the good public transport system or buses and trams. So, if you have the opportunity, come to Warsaw. It's worth the trip.
I had never been to CD PROJEKT RED's studio before. When I was in Warsaw in 2007, I met some developers who told me of their new video game they just made about The Witcher, a national Polish hero. They game me a copy and I've been a fan ever since, but I never visited the studio (most people who don't work for gaming companies rarely visit studios). I can't tell you a lot about the studio, due to secrets and reasons, but I can say a few things:
The studio keeps growing. They now have multiple floors in 3 different buildings in the complex here.
The lobby is filled with trophies, awards and cool CDPR memorabilia.
Just off the lobby, they have their own cafeteria with big screen TV and pool table for relaxation. The food served is vegetarian (as the company founder was vegetarian), but what I ate there was all delicious.
The washrooms are bright red. Red floors, walls, ceilings, and counters.
The rooms in the studio are wide, bright and roomy. No individual cubicles, few private offices. Lots of coworkers working closely with each other, talking and communicating easily.
People here are huge nerds. Desks are decorated with toys, knickknacks and general nerd stuff. To me, that means they're good people.
Coffee machines are abundant.
Walls are decorated with Witcher art, graphics, and memorabilia. I am trying to figure out if anyone would notice if I take the Mike Mignola Dark Horse Witcher comic original art when I leave.
Overall, it's a great studio.
So a thank you to my new, fellow teammates at CD PROJEKT RED and the people of Warsaw for making me feel welcome and at home during my visit. I can't wait to return again soon.
