Unraveling the History of Cyberpunk 2077's NUSA: Phantom Liberty Expansion

In Cyberpunk 2077, the United States has undergone significant fragmentation in the decades leading up to the game. Night City, located in California, is treated as a city-state, and California itself has become a "Free State" along with other regions such as Idaho and Oregon. Despite this, the nation still exists in the form of the New United States of America (NUSA). While the base game does not focus on NUSA, it will play a pivotal role in the upcoming Phantom Liberty DLC.

Details about Phantom Liberty are scarce, but it is known that players will explore a walled-off area of Pacifica as part of the narrative. The DLC takes inspiration from spy-thriller tropes, which means that important details will likely be kept hidden until revealed to the player. However, through teasers and in-game lore, it is possible to gain some insight into how the United States operates in 2077.

One key aspect of the United States' government in 2077 is the FIA, or Federal Intelligence Agency. This organization is responsible for maintaining the nation's security and is known for its ruthless tactics. Another powerful group is the Gang of Four, a cabal of wealthy and influential individuals who wield significant political influence. Together, these factions hold immense power and play a major role in the politics of Cyberpunk 2077's world.

Solomon Reed is a familiar name for those following the news about Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's DLC. Played by the talented actor Idris Elba, Reed has been at the forefront of the game's marketing campaign. He is known to be an agent for the FIA, a department of the NUSA that has only recently become prominent in the series.

Although not much is known about the FIA, its potential connection to previous organizations run by the US government in Cyberpunk 2077's timeline could provide some insight into its methods. In the early 21st century, institutions such as the FBI, NSA, and DEA had been dissolved, but their impact was significant. Together with the CIA, they formed the Gang of Four, a collective that orchestrated a coup that caused irreparable damage to the United States for decades to come.

After evidence surfaced that these organizations were acting as an independent force, the FBI and DEA were disbanded, and the CIA was restructured before being incorporated back into the government. The NSA, under the jurisdiction of acting President William Newell, was purged with military force after it was revealed that they were behind the assassination of 13 prominent government officials, including the previous president, Johnathan Seward. Despite military efforts, the NSA was not completely eradicated as they assassinated Tesla Johanneson, a media star who exposed incriminating transcripts from Cyberpunk 2077's First Central American Conflict in 2003, at a later date.

It is possible that the FIA in Cyberpunk is an institution founded by sects of the Gang of Four who reintegrated themselves into the American government. They may have used similar tactics to those in the past to carry out the NUSA's interests. According to the short story 2AM - She Calls, which comes bundled with the Steam version of Cyberpunk 2077, there is a rumor that the FIA has been trying to gain political allies in Night City in 2071. This activity at least parallels the CIA's activities.

During the events of the base game, the second president of the NUSA, Rosalind Myers, is shown to be serving her third term. Although she has a minor role in the base game, appearing only in a short news report denouncing accusations of prominent Cyberpunk 2077 corporation Militech's involvement in the assassination of Saburo Arasaka, she has an active influence over the world at large. She is the one who instigated the Unification War in 2069 to reunite former states.

Before taking on the presidency, Myers served as CEO for Militech, a move that has drawn both praise and criticism. While some view her as a militaristic fascist, others believe that her efforts to reunite all the states could be the key to bringing crime in Night City under control.

This trend of presidents having ties to Militech actually began with Elizabeth Kress, the founder of the NUSA and Myers' predecessor. Prior to her presidency, Kress served as the President of Militech before becoming a senator in Colorado in 2011. Kress took office in April 2019 following the death of her predecessor, former president Blair.

As president, Kress worked to unite the fractured US and remained in power until the 2060s. While she was instrumental in holding the NUSA together during the Fourth Corporate War in the 2020s and was widely regarded as an honest leader by 2045, some critics felt that her actions were motivated primarily by a desire to benefit Militech, which still maintains ties to the NUSA under President Myers.

Although the appearance of Rosalind Myers in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty has not been confirmed, her involvement could provide a captivating glimpse into the inner workings of the NUSA. By incorporating her character, players would gain a deeper understanding of the ideology and beliefs driving the NUSA's leadership, adding a new layer of complexity to the game's plot.

Considering that Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's plot centers around NUSA contracting V and making them pledge allegiance to the nation, the player's choices could have a significant impact on how the NUSA operates beyond its borders. If Rosalind Myers is involved in the plot and interacts with V, players may have the ability to influence the entire NUSA. The potential for different choices to lead Night City to either reintegrate into the country or assert its independence from the rest of the nation is exciting.

CD Projekt Red has promised to reveal more information about Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty in June, which should answer some of the fans' questions. If the ambitious DLC is received well, it could serve as the perfect swan song to cap off the game's years-long redemption arc after its disastrous 2020 launch.

Cyberpunk 2077 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, with the Phantom Liberty DLC set to release this year on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.