Although Cyberpunk 2077 has reached new heights in 2022, the game wasn’t at that level when it launched. Cyberpunk 2077 was riddled with bugs and glitches which made the game unplayable for many, and they had to issue refunds for the title. Cut to 2022, Cyberpunk 2077 has surpassed Witcher 3 in Peak Concurrent players and had also become one of the bestsellers on Steam.
But, the story doesn’t end there, it seems that CD Projekt Red had a Cyberpunk multiplayer standalone title in the works, but that never saw the light of day. Through a report by Eurogamer, it has been understood that the shaky launch of Cyberpunk 2077 was the reason for scrapping the multiplayer title set in the Cyberpunk Universe.
The senior quest designer and coordinator on Cyberpunk 2077, Philip Webber, told them that after the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, the developers had to reconsider their priorities. Their priority at that time was to make the main experience run perfectly for the people, but due to that, all the other R&D projects had to take a back seat.
I, V, do solemnly swear that I shall faithfully serve the New United States of America.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty – coming in 2023.#Cyberpunk2077 #PhantomLiberty pic.twitter.com/UveFE17CBx
— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) September 6, 2022
There was a plan in the works to release a Triple-A, multiplayer Cyberpunk title almost a year ago, but that plan had to be reevaluated for a more ‘systematic and agile’ approach. Their focus then became making an online experience that could seamlessly be integrated in all of their future title.
However, he added that “CD Projekt Red makes single-player, story-driven, triple-A RPGs – that is not changing”. The change will come to the developer’s approach towards online, where they implement online elements in games only where it makes sense. They do not wish to lose their identity as a single-player developer, but also want to work towards creating an enjoyable online experience.
