I think the most painful thing about CP2077 though is that aspects of it are so unbelievably good. Something as overlooked as characters, which I have to give to CDPR, are a masterpiece in this game. From the voices to the mannerisms and bonds/chemistry they have with each other. This game could be so good, even revolutionary as they touted it, and it is so painfully close.Y'know, there's been a few games that planned shows, merch and 'expanded universe' before the games were even out.
Some of those games were: Cheetahmen, bubsy and Defiance. Never heard of them? That's because they flopped so hard everything was canceled.
I don't think it's a good idea to over-invest and over-hype a project that had not yet proven itself to have lasting impact. The same way games over the past decade tried to become 'esport' by simply throwing money at advertising and pro teams with no one really caring. Remember Heroes of Newerth or <generic moba #2908527>? Or all the battle royale / zombie games?
CP77 won't be a net loss financially but it will be a huge hit on the consumer good will CDPR had cultivated over many years. This game is a flop and has no lasting appeal, and it'll take a lot of time and genuine effort to change this. Can they change this? Yes. But more importantly. Do they TRULY have it in them / want to?
Only time will tell.
But as you say, really it is whether CDPR will or want to make that push over the wall