CD Projekt Red's ambitious sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 will expand beyond the neon-soaked streets of Night City to include a second metropolis described as "Chicago gone wrong," according to Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith. This revelation came during Pondsmith's appearance at the Digital Dragons event, offering fans a glimpse into the future of the cyberpunk universe.
Expanded World and Deeper Social Commentary
While details remain scarce as CD Projekt Red focuses on developing The Witcher 4, the studio has confirmed that players will return to the familiar territory of Night City alongside this new Chicago-inspired urban sprawl. This dual-city approach represents a significant expansion of the game world compared to the original Cyberpunk 2077.
The development team has expressed intentions to tackle major social issues in the sequel, including homelessness and wealth inequality—themes that align perfectly with cyberpunk's tradition of social critique. This suggests a potentially more nuanced and thought-provoking narrative than its predecessor.
Who's Crafting Night City's Future?
Anna Megill, whose impressive credits include Control and the upcoming Fable reboot, has been confirmed as the sequel's lead writer. Megill's experience with complex narratives and world-building could bring fresh perspective to the Cyberpunk 2077 universe, potentially addressing some of the storytelling criticisms of the original game.
The involvement of franchise creator Mike Pondsmith also suggests a commitment to maintaining the authentic cyberpunk vision that has defined the tabletop RPG since its inception.
Development Timeline Remains Unclear
Fans eager to jack back into Night City will need to exercise patience. CD Projekt Red has made it clear that The Witcher 4 remains their primary focus at present, placing the Cyberpunk sequel further down their development roadmap.
Given the studio's history of extended development cycles and the ambitious scope suggested by a dual-city setting, it's reasonable to assume we won't be seeing the Cyberpunk sequel for several years. However, this extended timeline may work in the game's favor, allowing developers to fully realize their expanded vision while avoiding the launch issues that plagued the original release.
As development progresses, we'll continue to monitor for further announcements about this exciting expansion of the Cyberpunk universe.