CD Projekt Red Issues Statement on Cyberpunk 2

CD Projekt Red has issued a new statement on Cyberpunk 2 (formerly known internally as “Project Orion”) as part of its latest financial update, offering some more clarity on the sequel’s development while simultaneously announcing Cyberpunk 2077‘s latest sales milestone. According to the update, as reported by IGN, Cyberpunk 2077 has surpassed 35 million copies sold, giving CD Projekt Red a strong foundation as it continues work on its next project. In addition to the latest sales numbers, the financial update included several notable details about how the development of Cyberpunk 2 is progressing behind the scenes.

Cyberpunk 2077‘s continued success remains one of CDPR and the gaming industry’s biggest surprises of the last five years. Despite an immensely rough launch in 2020, the action RPG has risen to such prominence that it has become the studio’s primary source of revenue. That financial stability now sets the stage for CDPR’s next major Cyberpunk game, which is slowly coming to fruition even as The Witcher 4 remains a top priority.

Cyberpunk 2 Is Real, But It’s Still Early

In a statement tied to its Q1 2025 financial results released in May, CDPR confirmed that Cyberpunk 2 had entered pre-production. This was also when the game’s former internal title “Project Orion” was scrapped in exchange for Cyberpunk 2, although that is also most likely a temporary placeholder. As of October 2025, about 135 developers are assigned to the project, which is up from 116 just a few months earlier.

What We Know About Cyberpunk 2 So Far

While Cyberpunk 2 is still early in development, that hasn’t stopped CDPR from divulging certain details about it according to where it’s currently at in the process. Those details have been few and far between, but a few key tidbits have surfaced in recent months:

• Cyberpunk 2 will reportedly introduce a second major city
• CDPR may be aiming for more reactive crowds, more varied play styles, and improved world systems in Cyberpunk 2
• Cyberpunk 2 job listings point to potential online or multiplayer systems

Cyberpunk 2 will reportedly include a second city. According to franchise creator Mike Pondsmith in an interview with Polish gaming channel tvgry at the Digital Dragons Conference, this new locale is meant to feel like “Chicago gone wrong,” with a grittier, perhaps more dystopic vibe than the neon noir of Night City. Night City, however, will presumably still be in the mix.

CDPR job listings have also pointed to certain possibilities for Cyberpunk 2. While those job listings are no longer posted, according to Video Games Chronicle, they once called for the role to “work in close collaboration with the systems design team to create the most realistic and reactive crowd system in any game to date.” Additionally, the role would be responsible for “memorable combat encounters” and “divergent experiences that cater to all available play styles.” Finally, even more job listings seemed to confirm a potential online mode with multiplayer for Cyberpunk 2, after it was scrapped for Cyberpunk 2077.

What Cyberpunk 2 Could Bring to the Table

There is room to speculate on what Cyberpunk 2 could bring to the table in terms of features, mechanics, and systems, given what is already anticipated for the game. Some of Cyberpunk 2077‘s biggest criticisms might also point to various improvements Cyberpunk 2 could offer to its predecessor’s formula.

• Deeper side content and open-world activity
• Reactive NPC populations and dynamic city life
• Systemic, player-driven playstyle variety
• More stable performance and fewer technical issues with Unreal Engine 5
• Potential for online or multiplayer elements
• More variety in world exploration

Of course, these are all speculative in nature, though some do rely on info CDPR has already offered — like more variety in world exploration with a second city in mind. However, others still feel like more of a given, like the potential for better performance on Unreal Engine 5 and more reactive NPCs, since that was initially a major point of criticism for Cyberpunk 2077.

When Cyberpunk 2 Might Actually Arrive

The more pressing question is when Cyberpunk 2 might actually arrive. According to the financial update, CD Projekt co-CEO Michał Nowakowski suggested that the next Cyberpunk game likely won’t see the light of day until at least 2030. This is, of course, due to the developer’s top priority at the moment, The Witcher 4, which was already revealed at last year’s Game Awards.

For now, Cyberpunk 2 remains years away, but CDPR’s latest update makes it clear that the sequel is steadily taking form nonetheless. With Cyberpunk 2077 continuing to stand out and the studio ramping up development across multiple teams, fans may have a long wait ahead, but at least they have a clearer picture of where the franchise is headed.

Released

December 10, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol