Side Quests can Affect the Main Storyline in Cyberpunk 2077
During a recent interview posted to CD Projekt Red community forums, senior quest designer Philip Weber explained in detail that side quests in Cyberpunk 2077 can interact with the main storyline significantly. CD Projekt Red started this concept with The Witcher 3 where gamers completing the Bloody Baron in Wild Hunt were already continuing a story thread from the main quest. The intent is to deliver an experience that is different every time and a world that feels unpredictable as what seems like a small quest may become something far larger. Cyberpunk 2077 is releasing on Google Stadia, PC, Xbox One and PS4 on April 16th, 2020.
Philip Weber explains how a character may transfer over from a side quest to the main storyline when gamers choose to complete certain side objectives. “Characters you only meet in a side quest would then suddenly show up in the main story. This way, the player never knows what to expect.” This emphasis on side content further expands on what CD Projekt Red was doing with the Witcher and will hopefully remain a staple with their games moving forward as it makes a game more engaging when developers offer player freedom. Some gamers will opt not to do the optional side quests while their friends explain how it benefited their play through to do certain side objectives, which often encourages replaying the game as more people socialize about their experiences as we saw with the Witcher 3 in particular.
CD Projekt Red is focusing on building a game where anything you do can impact the trajectory of the main story and have a ripple effect on the surrounding world of Night City. “Side quests can of course be completely separate stories, but they can also continue the story of a main quest or even set up a new branch in the main storyline,” said Philip Weber.
What are some ways your main storyline in a game was affected by a side quest? Did you experience a lot of overlap between side quests and the main story in the Witcher 3? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Gaming Bolt