Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel: Explore a ‘Chicago Gone Wrong’ Alongside Night City
Get ready to dive back into the gritty world of Cyberpunk, but this time with a twist! The highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, currently codenamed Project Orion, is set to feature a second city, offering players a whole new urban landscape to explore alongside the familiar Night City.
The revelation came from none other than Mike Pondsmith, the creator of the Cyberpunk IP, during Digital Dragons 2025. While Pondsmith admitted he's not as directly involved with Project Orion as he was with Cyberpunk 2077, he's still kept in the loop. He shared insights into his interactions with the development teams, particularly those responsible for crafting the game's environments.
"I'm not as involved directly, but I see the scripts," Pondsmith stated, according to VGC. "Last week I was wandering around talking to different departments and seeing what they had, like 'this is new Cyberware, what do you think?' I spent a lot of time talking to one of the environment guys, and he was explaining how the new place...because there's another city that we visit, and I'm not telling you anymore than that, but there's another city that we visit. Night City is still there."
The description of this new metropolis is particularly intriguing. Pondsmith, after seeing the city come together, remarked that it didn't give off a Blade Runner vibe, but rather felt like "Chicago gone wrong." This suggests a potentially different aesthetic and societal breakdown compared to Night City, promising a fresh and compelling experience for players.
"I remember looking at it and going, 'I understand the feel that you're going for, and this really does work, it doesn't feel like Blade Runner,'" Pondsmith elaborated. "It feels more like Chicago gone wrong.' And I said, 'yeah, I can see this working.'"
The Cyberpunk 2077 sequel is being developed by CD Projekt Red's new North American arm, with studios in Boston and Vancouver. The core team members behind the original game and its Phantom Liberty expansion are leading development. CD Projekt Red has also brought on veteran developers with experience at Amazon Games, Panic Button, and Blizzard.
While concrete details about the story and gameplay remain scarce, job listings have hinted at the game aiming to deliver the most realistic crowds ever seen in a video game. Furthermore, the Boston studio's involvement suggests Project Orion will have a more authentically American feel than its predecessor.
The prospect of exploring not only Night City but also a "Chicago gone wrong" in the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel is undoubtedly exciting. What kind of characters and storylines will we encounter in this new urban landscape? How will it compare to the familiar districts of Night City? Project Orion has definitely piqued our interest. Share your thoughts and theories in the comments below!
