The turbulent release of CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 will remain ingrained in the memories of gamers, but the developer aims to redeem itself with the upcoming launch of Project Orion. CD Projekt Red is currently juggling multiple projects, including the next installment of the Witcher saga, but the untitled sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 holds great significance. While specific details are scarce, fans hold certain expectations for the future of the Cyberpunk series.
Even prior to its release, Cyberpunk 2077's main DLC holds promise in offering gamers the desired version of the game. After undergoing extensive updates and revisions, Cyberpunk 2077 has improved significantly, yet Project Orion must deliver something truly exceptional to erase the disappointment caused by the initial game launch. One possible way to achieve this is by taking a completely different approach, such as emphasizing multiplayer gameplay.
Cyberpunk 2077's Scrapped Multiplayer
From the very first glimpse of Cyberpunk 2077, gamers sensed its immense ambition. Understandably, its development took a considerable amount of time. Yet, as more revealing trailers and behind-the-scenes looks were unveiled leading up to its release, Cyberpunk 2077 appeared almost too good to be true.
Regrettably, the reality fell short of expectations, with delays, controversies, and a significantly scaled-back version upon launch. Disappointed fans discovered that the game lacked certain promised elements, such as additional iconic characters to choose as childhood heroes alongside Johnny Silverhand, more intricate hacking and netrunning capabilities, NPCs with greater independence, and multiplayer features.
While Cyberpunk 2077 was still in development, CD Projekt Red made a promise to their eager fans that a multiplayer mode would be incorporated into the game at some point after its release. This gave players the thrilling prospect of pitting their augmented V against other players in intense encounters that would encompass Cyberpunk 2077's key features such as hacking, driving, and fast-paced combat. However, the developer ultimately decided that their focus needed to be on enhancing the single-player experience, leading to the unfortunate cancellation of the multiplayer mode. Thankfully, a glimmer of hope emerges with Project Orion, which offers a fresh opportunity to reintroduce multiplayer on a grand scale.
Why Project Orion Should Be Multiplayer
In the later stages of 2022, CD Projekt Red surprised fans by revealing plans to create a follow-up to Cyberpunk 2077, temporarily named Project Orion. The response from the community was varied, with certain individuals advocating for the studio to concentrate on improving the initial installment before venturing into a sequel, while others eagerly anticipated witnessing CD Projekt Red's potential redemption.
In an effort to expand the Cyberpunk franchise and explore the limitless possibilities of its dystopian universe, Project Orion aims to deliver a unique sci-fi experience that could potentially be enhanced through multiplayer features. During a developer presentation in 2022, CD Projekt Red expressed its intention to incorporate multiplayer into its upcoming single-player games, making it highly likely that this feature could be integrated into the Cyberpunk series. The advantage of focusing on multiplayer right from the beginning is the opportunity to seamlessly integrate it into the game, rather than adding it as an afterthought post-release.
While the demand for single-player AAA games remains strong, modern games are increasingly incorporating multiplayer and online elements to foster community engagement. Given the vibrant and diverse world of Cyberpunk, the addition of multiplayer has the potential to greatly enhance the in-game experience. By immersing real-life players within the game's fabric alongside intricately designed NPCs, the level of challenge and engagement offered by multiplayer can surpass what a single-player game can achieve, ultimately leaving a lasting impression on players and further enriching the Cyberpunk universe.
Cyberpunk 2077's sequel, code-named Project Orion, is in development.