During an investor presentation, CD Projekt studio head Adam Badowski revealed that the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 is officially in the works. However, he emphasized that the project is still in its very early stages. The announcement of the sequel, codenamed Project Orion, comes after the release of “Phantom Liberty,” which will be the final expansion for Cyberpunk 2077.
The news is bittersweet for fans of the game. On one hand, it is exciting to know that a full-scale sequel is in development. On the other hand, it means that there won’t be any more add-ons for Cyberpunk 2077. The decision to focus solely on developing the sequel indicates that CD Projekt Red is committed to delivering an even more ambitious and immersive experience.
Badowski explained that the team working on the sequel consists of experienced veterans who were responsible for designing both Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty. Development of the game is currently taking place in CD Projekt’s Vancouver and Boston studios, with plans to eventually have half of the team working in the US and half in Poland by late 2024.
Given the lengthy development time for Cyberpunk 2077, which took more than eight years, fans may have to wait quite some time before they can get their hands on the sequel. Badowski alluded to a potential release date of sometime after 2030 if development for Project Orion follows a similar timeline. However, the studio’s decision to switch to Unreal Engine 5 for future games may help streamline the development process.
Despite the long wait for the sequel, CD Projekt has big plans for expanding the Cyberpunk 2077 franchise. Chief Commercial Officer Michał Nowakowski stated that while game development will remain at the core of CD Projekt, the studio aims to become popular culture developers. This includes ventures such as the Cyberpunk Edgerunners anime, music based on the games, novels, comic books, and merchandise.
Moreover, CD Projekt recently announced a collaboration with Anonymous Content on a live-action project set in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe. Further details about this project will be revealed as they become available.
In addition to the sequel announcement, CD Projekt disclosed that it has sold over 100 million copies of its primary games, including The Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077. This achievement reflects the studio’s success and popularity among gamers.
Overall, while the news of the sequel is exciting, fans must temper their expectations and be prepared for a potentially long wait. CD Projekt’s dedication to expanding the Cyberpunk 2077 franchise through various media forms demonstrates their commitment to creating an immersive and enduring universe beyond just video games.