The Cyberpunk 2077 patch 2.3 introduced several intriguing but subtle features, sparking speculation among fans, particularly about the appearance of new gambling billboards referencing a Pacifica casino. While these billboards seemed new, they were actually present since the Phantom Liberty expansion but were previously confined to Eden Plaza in Dogtown. Patch 2.3 expanded their spawn locations across Night City, which led to rumors of a potential casino DLC. However, this was likely a bug related to new advertising billboards tied to a YA Muramasa motorcycle quest, rather than an intentional tease for a casino expansion.
Beyond the billboards, patch 2.3 also brought new quests and vehicles linked to a mysterious location called the Plex, an interconnected metroplex on the East Coast. This area, mentioned sparingly before, is now referenced in multiple quests, suggesting it might be the “Chicago gone wrong” city hinted at by CD Projekt Red’s Mike Pondsmith as part of Cyberpunk 2’s development. This aligns with lore indicating Chicago’s recovery after a government-created plague and hints at a multi-city setting for the upcoming sequel, further supported by in-game lore and new vehicle designs tailored for this environment.
The video also highlights an Easter egg connecting The Witcher 3 with Cyberpunk 2077, revealing a cut quest where Geralt visits Night City, predating the Cyberpunk game by years. This connection is deepened in Phantom Liberty, where a shard and urn at a spaceport suggest Geralt brought Yennefer’s ashes to Night City, tying the two game universes together and showing CD Projekt Red’s penchant for subtle cross-game storytelling and future game teasers within existing titles.
On a technical front, patch 2.3 added support for FSR 3.1 frame generation and XESS 2.0 upscaling technologies, though the implementation has been mixed, with some players experiencing performance drops using FSR 3.1 alone. The best current setup appears to be combining XESS with FSR 3.1 for improved visuals and performance. Additionally, the update introduced new photo mode poses exclusive to female characters and added a meditation-related apartment item tied to a secret Zen master questline, showcasing the patch’s blend of gameplay, technical improvements, and hidden content.
Finally, a mysterious pulsing map icon seen in gameplay footage on Switch 2 and Mac versions hints at a hidden gem indicator feature that has yet to be officially released or widely noticed. This could signify ongoing development for future updates or content expansions beyond patch 2.3. Overall, while patch 2.3 didn’t deliver massive new content, it sprinkled numerous subtle hints and secrets that fuel anticipation for Cyberpunk 2 and future expansions, maintaining fan engagement with the evolving world of Night City.
