Your persistence with CD Projekt Red’s methodical strategy is about to be examined once more. The Polish studio confirmed Wednesday that Cyberpunk 2 — dropping the “Venture Orion” codename — has formally entered pre-production. This milestone arrives practically three years after the sequel was first introduced, however don’t mistake progress for proximity to your gaming shelf.
The truth test hits more durable than a corpo netrunner’s ICE assault. CD Projekt joint CEO Michał Nowakowski famous their typical journey from pre-production to remaining launch takes 4 to 5 years.
That projected timeline locations Cyberpunk’s sequel round 2030 or 2031, mirroring tendencies seen with Elder Scrolls VI and GTA VI, each of which have endured prolonged improvement cycles. However whenever you’re aiming to hitch the ranks of the best video games of the last decade, that form of inventive runway isn’t simply anticipated—it’s important.
CD Projekt’s useful resource allocation tells the actual story about priorities. Whereas 96 builders work on Cyberpunk 2, a hefty 422 are targeted on The Witcher 4, which entered full manufacturing final 12 months.
Your cyberpunk cravings will stay secondary to Geralt’s subsequent journey — not less than for now. Trade analyst Mat Piscatella from Circana notes this conservative strategy displays classes realized throughout the AAA house.
The sequel guarantees enlargement past Night time Metropolis’s neon-soaked streets. Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith just lately leaked particulars a few new metropolis that “feels extra like Chicago gone unsuitable” reasonably than the Blade Runner aesthetic. Two huge city environments might justify the prolonged improvement timeline, assuming CD Projekt delivers on that bold scope.
One more issue influences the timeline: CD Projekt’s painful classes from 2020’s launch catastrophe. The studio clearly prioritizes avoiding one other crunch-fueled disaster over assembly unrealistic deadlines. The success of Phantom Liberty, which offered over 10 million copies, validates this cautious strategy.
This measured tempo displays industry-wide modifications in AAA improvement expectations. Your tolerance for damaged launches has diminished considerably since Cyberpunk 2077’s technical meltdown. CD Projekt understands that repute restoration requires greater than flashy advertising — it calls for precise high quality at launch.
The announcement coincides with spectacular franchise metrics that justify continued funding. The Witcher 3 has generated roughly $640 million in income whereas promoting 60 million copies, proving CD Projekt’s long-term improvement technique pays dividends when executed correctly.
Your subsequent journey to Cyberpunk’s twisted future could also be years off, however that delay might work in your favor. CD Projekt Crimson’s early dedication to a sequel set in a dystopian version of Chicago alerts actual improvement, not simply vaporware. Positive, it’ll check your persistence greater than these infinite Silverhand flashbacks—however not less than you’ll know what metropolis you’re combating to outlive subsequent.
Your greatest wager? Use this timeline to discover Cyberpunk’s expanded universe — atone for Edgerunners, dive into the tabletop RPG, or lastly full that corpo playthrough you’ve been pushing aside.
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