Cyberpunk 2, officially codenamed Project Orion, marks CD Projekt Red’s ambitious return to the cyberpunk universe after the rocky launch of Cyberpunk 2077. The game is being developed primarily at CDPR’s Boston studio, established in 2022 to tap into North American talent and better capture Western sci-fi storytelling nuances. This expansion allows CDPR to focus separately on its major franchises, with the Polish office working on The Witcher 4. The leadership team includes veterans from previous Cyberpunk projects alongside new industry talents, signaling a blend of experience and fresh perspectives aimed at delivering a polished and evolved RPG experience.
The sequel is being built entirely in Unreal Engine 5, moving away from the proprietary Red Engine to avoid past technical pitfalls and improve optimization, especially on consoles. CDPR is emphasizing seamless world streaming, hyper-dense environments, realistic character interactions, and the most advanced and reactive crowd system yet seen in any game. These technical advancements aim to create deeper immersion and more dynamic gameplay, addressing criticisms from Cyberpunk 2077’s launch regarding AI and world interactivity. The development is still in early pre-production, with over 100 developers currently assigned and a long-term roadmap that suggests a release likely post-2028, possibly around 2030.
In terms of setting and story, Cyberpunk 2 will take place after the events of 2077 but is expected to expand beyond Night City to include new locations such as a mysterious urban complex called The Plex, which spans from Boston to Washington DC. The game aims to capture a distinctly American vibe, reflecting the new Boston studio’s influence and a desire to authentically represent Western cultural details. The narrative will explore deeper social themes like homelessness and dystopia more poignantly, with a strong focus on player choice and branching storylines inspired by lessons learned from both Cyberpunk 2077 and its Phantom Liberty expansion.
Gameplay improvements are expected to include enhanced AI, more meaningful life paths, and richer world interactions. CDPR is focusing on making player choices more impactful throughout the game rather than just at the start, and is considering whether to maintain the first-person perspective or incorporate third-person elements for greater player expression. Multiplayer features are also planned, with development underway to create online components resembling Grand Theft Auto Online’s model, aiming to build a sustainable long-term revenue stream through recurrent consumer spending.
Regarding characters, the story of V is concluded, but legacy characters like Johnny Silverhand may return in cameo roles, with Keanu Reeves expressing interest in reprising the role. A major fan-favorite, Morgan Blackhand, is confirmed alive within the timeline and is expected to play a significant role in the sequel, potentially linked to new locations like The Plex. CDPR and Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith are closely collaborating to ensure lore consistency while expanding the universe. Overall, Cyberpunk 2 promises to be a narrative and technical evolution designed to deliver a more immersive, ambitious, and polished experience for the next generation of players.
