CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2: Development And Release Plans

Aria Freeman

4 min read

Post on May 30, 2025

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The Hype and Initial Development of Cyberpunk 2077

The immense pre-release hype surrounding Cyberpunk 2077 was palpable. Years of carefully crafted trailers, stunning gameplay demos at E3, and a masterful marketing campaign built anticipation to unprecedented levels. CD Projekt Red, fresh off the critical and commercial success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, leveraged their reputation for quality RPGs to cultivate immense excitement.

• Ambitious Scope: The game promised a vast, open-world Night City brimming with detail, a complex narrative with impactful choices, and groundbreaking gameplay mechanics.
• Initial Release Date and Delays: The initial release date was initially set for April 2020, but faced several delays, pushing the launch back to November 2020. These delays, while frustrating for fans, hinted at the sheer scale and complexity of the project.
• Marketing's Impact: The marketing materials masterfully showcased the game’s potential, creating a near-mythical status for Cyberpunk 2077. However, this also set expectations impossibly high.

The game was built using REDengine 4, an engine already proven capable through the Witcher series. However, adapting it for the ambitious scope of Cyberpunk 2077 presented significant technical challenges, contributing to the development hurdles. Optimizing the engine for various platforms, from high-end PCs to last-gen consoles, proved particularly demanding, a factor that would significantly impact the game's later performance issues.

Delays and the Controversial Launch

The multiple delays leading up to Cyberpunk 2077's release were met with a mixture of understanding and frustration. CD Projekt Red cited the need to polish the game and ensure a high-quality experience as the primary reason for the postponements.

• Scale and Complexity: Developing a game of such immense scale, featuring a sprawling city, intricate systems, and a deep narrative, presented unprecedented technical difficulties.
• Crunch Culture's Impact: Reports of significant crunch among developers fuelled ethical concerns and highlighted the pressures associated with meeting ambitious deadlines. This intense work environment, while contributing to the game's eventual release, undoubtedly impacted the final product's quality.
• Launch Disparity: The game released in a significantly different state than what was initially promised and showcased in the marketing material, particularly on last-generation consoles. Performance issues, glitches, and a less-than-stellar experience on older hardware resulted in significant criticism.

The launch was ultimately marred by widespread negative reviews, focusing on the poor performance on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. This led to the game being removed from the PlayStation Store, a severe blow to its reputation and sales.

Post-Launch Patches and Improvements

Following the disastrous launch, CD Projekt Red committed to extensive post-launch support, releasing numerous patches and updates aimed at improving the game's stability, performance, and overall experience.

• Bug Fixes and Performance Enhancements: Patches addressed numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly on last-gen consoles. These updates were crucial in mitigating the negative impact of the initial release.
• New Content and Features: While not initially promised, some patches also added new content and features, demonstrating CD Projekt Red's ongoing commitment to the game.
• Impact on Player Perception: These efforts gradually improved player perception of the game, though the initial damage to the game's reputation remained.

The reinstatement of Cyberpunk 2077 on the PlayStation Store signaled a renewed commitment to improving the game and regaining lost trust. This demonstrated a willingness to address the issues head-on and reinvest in the title.

The Future of Cyberpunk 2077: DLC and Expansions

CD Projekt Red has outlined plans for substantial future content, including significant DLC expansions. This post-launch support represents a significant investment in the game's long-term future.

• Announced Expansions: The "Phantom Liberty" expansion, a major addition to the game, added substantial new content and missions. Further expansion plans remain under consideration.
• Impact on Long-Term Success: The success of these expansions will be crucial in determining the game's long-term viability and reputation. They offer a chance to re-engage players and attract new ones.
• Additional Updates: Ongoing updates and improvements continue to refine and improve the Cyberpunk 2077 experience.

Conclusion

Cyberpunk 2077's development and release was a complex and highly publicized journey. From initial hype and ambitious promises to a controversial launch and subsequent recovery, the game's story serves as a cautionary tale and a testament to the challenges in game development, particularly for large open-world RPGs. While the initial launch significantly fell short, CD Projekt Red's dedication to post-launch support, through patches and expansions like Phantom Liberty, has shown a significant commitment to improving the game. Whether you're a returning player or considering experiencing Night City for the first time, understanding the history of Cyberpunk 2077 development offers valuable context. Stay informed about future updates and expansions related to Cyberpunk 2077 development to fully appreciate its evolution.