Just recently, the official Cyberpunk 2077 account tweeted and shared fan art that was incredible, and the reactions are something else. The tweet reads, “I never stopped fighting, never gave up…” I think this says a lot in combination with the artwork by evaelroy. The artwork features V looking worn out and Nibbles the cat just casually hanging out. While the artwork evokes peace, people in the video game community appear to be emotionally distressed.
Let’s focus on the artwork first. It features V and their cat, Nibbles, sitting by the window. V looks like they just went through hell, which, if you played Cyberpunk 2077, you know is true. As usual, there is rain, moody lighting, and the cyberpunk vibe we all adore. Nibbles, the cat, is the center of the commentary. Several people are worried about the cat getting wet from the rain, which is oddly heartwarming. “Nibbles, get out of the rain!!!” was one of the comments said on Twitter, and honestly, I totally agree. Save the digital cat at all costs!
If we disregard the virality of the artwork, the dominant issue is the emotional ties the game is able to cultivate with its players. The viral thread has meaningful replies, one that stands out is from David Duncan (@ItsChuggHead), who responded with an incredibly heartwarming experience about Cyberpunk 2077 being his light at the end of the tunnel. The quote David mentioned was, “If someone who seems to be eternally damned like V can keep picking herself up and trying to live then so can I.” That is a very motivational quote that I think many of us should take to heart, and sometimes games do stop being just entertainment and become a way for people to cope. Another person said, “The emotions that come from Cyberpunk hurt so much but in a good way,” which is another expression of experiencing the same feeling. The game’s storyline is the unique part.
Additionally, there seems to always be some sort of weird behavior, especially on Twitter. V’s fanart ‘buzz’ was hijacked by some random guy who felt that the neck anatomy gave him an ‘uncanny feeling’ and said his ‘brian tries to figure the picture out.’ To begin with, in case you decide to read this, please check your brain and practise some self-awareness, as the picture is fan art and not a medical textbook. The main issue wasn’t that, the main issue was artistry criticism, rather how people defended the artist for making was what really warmed my heart because it felt like the entire fandom protected their creators.
Relates jokes are also emerging in the comments. One joke stated that “The cat is Arasaka’s spy,” which honestly would be a fantastic game plot turn. Another joke said “The cat did it.” V’s condition was under view, and assuming in Night City, anything cannot be judged. Possibly Nibbles and the corporations are tied.
There is some sociology in play when numerous gamers are requesting features. The constant calling for a DLC to decorate our own apartment was mentioned, and several people asked for apartment customization, which I would fully support. I want to change up V’s place as well. Someone else said that “V needs an official drink”, which honestly is a weird thing to say. What even would it be? A hyper caffeinated drink that has some weird cybernetic enhancers in it?
The tweet is timestamped, and people are “still playing” Cyberpunk 2077 on all platforms, with one even commenting that they “right now [are] playing it on Switch 2.” Wait, isn’t Switch 2 not released yet? Unless they meant something else? The tweet was not that clear, but someone is loving the game from everywhere.
Though Cyberpunk 2077 didn’t have the best launch, the thoughts are mixed because some of the comments show that the game has a special personal connection to its story, unlike the other open-world RPGs. As said, and given the circumstances, people went through their post COVID world was a battle for a lot, and not only that, the themes of never giving up, fighting while struggling, and fighting against all odds is a theme that every gamer and especially the Cyberpunk crowd can relate to.
And equally as important, CD Projekt Red also seems to grasp this connection—by sharing fan art like this, they are acknowledging the degree to which the community has accepted their world and characters. It’s no longer just their narrative; it’s everyone’s who has played it and resonates with V’s story.
There is also the recurring phrase of “Never Fade Away” in the comments apparent here, which is both the cyberpunk game’s song and the whole cyberpunk verse’s ideology. Keep trying, keep living, don’t let the system defeat you. It could be against the corporations in Night City or in real life against personal battles, the spirit is the same, keep fighting; do not stop.
Therefore, in reiteration, the basic Tweet sharing some fan art turned out to be a genuine moment for the Cyberpunk 2077 community. It is here with the gamers explaining the immense help the video game provided them, making cartoon jokes about corporateselling spies, and pleading for advance customization. There are so many different opinions on a video game, which Cyberpunk enjoys.
Also as an aside – if CD Projekt Red, who is probably reading this, is currently going through these tweets, consider the apartment decoration DLC? And an official V drink? Scratch that, make it an entire themed bar update. Call it “Afterlife Expansion” or something. You’re welcome, CDPR.
