Update 2.1 Marks the Conclusion for Cyberpunk 2077 as Developer CD Projekt Red Turns Attention to Other Projects
CD Projekt Red, the developer behind Cyberpunk 2077, is set to roll out the “last big update,” Update 2.1, on December 5, 2023. This update coincides with the release of the Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition and signifies the culmination of major updates for the three-year-old game. The developer has officially confirmed that the team will now shift its focus towards the sequel, codenamed Orion, and the next mainline Witcher game, codenamed Polaris.
Global Community Director Marcin Momot hinted at this transition in a post on Twitter, suggesting that CD Projekt Red had “one more patch for Cyberpunk 2077” in the pipeline. In response to inquiries, a spokesperson from the developer confirmed, “To echo Marcin Momot’s tweet, Update 2.1 is meant to be the last big update.”
The move aligns with CD Projekt Red’s strategic shift outlined in its November 2023 financial earnings report, where nearly half of the staff, post the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 expansion Phantom Liberty, are now dedicated to the development of Witcher 4. The Cyberpunk 2077 team has been reallocated to work on the main game, Phantom Liberty, the Ultimate Edition, and a portion of developers in transition.
Notably, former Cyberpunk 2077 staff are set to contribute to the development of Orion and the next Witcher game, with a new studio being established in the U.S. for the sequel. The core team, including game director Gabe Amatangelo, is currently at this location, with additional hires planned. Orion is still in the conceptual phase, and pre-production is yet to commence.
CD Projekt Red, intent on avoiding the challenges faced during Cyberpunk 2077’s launch, has implemented significant changes to its development processes. With a focus on rebuilding player trust, the studio has extended the development cycle for Cyberpunk 2077.
Details about Orion remain sparse, as it is in the early conceptual phase. Igor Sarzyński, the narrative director for Cyberpunk 2077, expressed a desire for the series to undergo an evolution similar to The Witcher. While major gameplay decisions are pending, CD Projekt Red is open to adapting elements such as the perspective from first-person to third-person based on what enhances the player experience.