Cyberpunk 2 Officially Confirmed and Named
The long-awaited sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 is officially moving forward. CD Projekt RED has confirmed that the project formerly known as "Project Orion" has been officially named "Cyberpunk 2" and has entered pre-production. This marks a significant milestone in the development journey of the anticipated follow-up to their ambitious open-world RPG.
While this announcement confirms the studio's commitment to the Cyberpunk franchise, players should adjust their expectations regarding timing. According to the announcement, the game isn't expected to launch until after 2030, suggesting an extensive development timeline ahead.
What Does Pre-Production Mean for Cyberpunk 2?
The pre-production phase typically involves concept development, early planning, and establishing the foundation for full production. For a game of Cyberpunk's scale, this stage can be extensive, involving world-building, narrative development, and technical planning before full-scale asset creation and programming begin.
This extended development window likely reflects lessons learned from Cyberpunk 2077's troubled launch. The original game faced significant criticism upon release for performance issues and bugs, particularly on last-generation consoles, though subsequent patches and updates significantly improved the experience.
Long-Term Commitment to Night City
The announcement of Cyberpunk 2 entering pre-production demonstrates CD Projekt RED's long-term vision for the franchise despite initial challenges. After the Phantom Liberty expansion and multiple updates successfully rehabilitated the original game's reputation, the studio appears confident in building upon the foundation they've established in Night City.
While details about gameplay features, story elements, or setting remain scarce, this early announcement gives fans confirmation that the Cyberpunk universe will continue to expand in the coming years.
What Can Players Expect?
With such an extended development timeline, Cyberpunk 2 will likely target next-generation hardware platforms beyond what's currently available. The distant release window suggests CD Projekt RED is taking a methodical approach to development, potentially avoiding the pitfalls that affected the original game's launch.
As development progresses, more details about Cyberpunk 2's story, mechanics, and vision will surely emerge. For now, fans can take comfort in knowing that a return to Night City is officially on the horizon—even if that horizon is still quite distant.