New Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel to Be Directed by Mastermind Behind Phantom Liberty

According to reports, Gabe Amatangelo, the lead of Cyberpunk 2077 DLC Phantom Liberty, has been confirmed to direct the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 sequel by CD Projekt Red. Despite facing issues since its launch in 2020, CD Projekt Red seems confident in the future of the series with the start of a new direction through Phantom Liberty, with Amatangelo carrying on the momentum into Cyberpunk 2077 2.

The development of Cyberpunk 2077 was tumultuous, leading to the departure of several key team members, including Mateusz Kanik, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, and Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, who played crucial directorial roles in the game's development. Even the game's director at launch ultimately stepped down from continued support, with Adam Badowski taking the role of CD Projekt Red's Studio Head. However, Gabe Amatangelo took on the responsibility of directing Cyberpunk 2077 in 2021, just a year after joining CD Projekt Red.

Amatangelo, who has a wealth of experience in the gaming industry, was brought on as creative director of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020 when the game's development was struggling. Following his successful contributions to the team, he was appointed as the new game director when Badowski stepped down in 2021. Now firmly entrenched in his role at CD Projekt Red, Amatangelo has confirmed that he will be directing the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, codenamed Project Orion, which is set to be built on Unreal Engine 5. Although little is known about the sequel, it is clear that it will require a significant amount of work and is not likely to be revealed for several years.

CD Projekt Red's upcoming DLC, Phantom Liberty, has been in development under game director Amatangelo for over three years. The overhaul of Cyberpunk 2077 is highly anticipated by fans, who are excited about the game once again. Despite not yet being released or reviewed, CD Projekt Red seems confident in Amatangelo's work. Additionally, Amatangelo is pleased with the situation, stating that the company's board has provided the team with the necessary time and resources to "make it right." Beyond improving the game, Amatangelo has also worked to enhance CD Projekt Red's culture, ensuring that developers have a healthy work-life balance and that Phantom Liberty has been developed without crunch. The hope is that the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 will maintain this positive culture throughout its development.

Cyberpunk 2077 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Phantom Liberty launches on September 26.