Can you imagine how much anticipation there has been for the next Cyberpunk game announcement for years now? The project nicknamed Orion? Then brace yourself because the latest report has it that we might not be able to play it until 2030. Believe it or not, that year is 2030. Even more, it seems that CD Projekt Red is planning to introduce the multiplayer system in the sequel, which is the reason they are requiring such an extended period for development.
The first person to predict this was a Polish analyst named Matuesz Chrzanowski at Noble Securities. This is the man who disclosed this timeline, directly linking the long wait to the challenges of adding multiplayer to the Cyberpunk universe. This is the most significant shift from the single-player focus of 2077, and it is energizing the entire community—albeit not necessarily in a favorable way.
The reality is that the online response has been… mixed. To break it down further, it can be said that it is overwhelmingly leaning towards “please don’t.” One user, Mike, actually called out: “Please don’t ruin it with multiplayer.” But he is not alone. Another user, KiTA, expressed his view saying: “Who would be that crazy to want multiplayer in Cyberp… Oh. They are going to rewrite it as Live Services. I guess something like GTA5. Just a shame. Dead franchise walking.” Ouch! That is a very harsh view, but it gives voice to the fear that this choice is not about the game but rather about the live-service, always-online money.
The skepticism is more or less universal especially in the wake of the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077. A remark from Drax_Sklounst really resonates: “They didn’t finish 2077 and under-delivered on their promises for the game. What makes you think they won’t do the same for the sequel?” It’s a reasonable point. Trust is a very significant issue here, and CDPR lost a lot of it back in 2020. Gamers are afraid that this multiplayer change is simply another overambitious promise that could result in another chaotic release.
What’s more, there is the issue of competition. An Anonymous user brought up the elephant in the room: “They should just leave the multiplayer; by that time, GTA VI will be full of blast and it will be hard to compete.” Attempting to enter the multiplayer open-world market against a giant like GTA Online? That is a risky move, Cotton. Let’s see if that is the way it turns out.
But hold on! It’s not all bad news! Some gamers have, in fact, already come to terms with the long wait. One gamer, 𝗦𝗺𝟭𝘁𝗵, remarked, “7-9 years wait is of no concern to me if the game is a hugely improved version over the previous one.” And similarly was the remark from Jordan The ImmortalMisfit, “Good they should take their time not to have a buggy product.” After the last time, “take your time” has become the unspoken catchphrase for many people who are following this studio.
However, confusion still reigns. Some people thought it was already confirmed that there would be no more multiplayer in the Cyberpunk universe. eye_of_odin asked, “Didn’t they already say no to multiplayer?” So this news comes as a twist in the tale. It appears that the idea was put on hold for the first game, but now it is a key element of the sequel, which signifies a major change in the direction of the franchise.
So, what does this mean for Project Orion? A wider scope from now on since the multiplayer aspect of the game has just increased the size of the project to be developed that much. Creating a robust and immersive multiplayer experience in a living city like Night City is no small feat. It is not just about allowing players to drive around together; it also means developing systems, economies, and activities that are always enticing to players. This is a completely new arena compared to building a tight, narrative-driven single-player story.
And we should keep The Witcher 4 in mind! Another user, DeeFelt, has voiced a concern that many of us share: “With how CDPR has been going lately I’m super worried about Cyberpunk 2 and TW4.” If the Cyberpunk sequel is taking up time and resources until 2030, what does that timeline look like for Geralt’s next adventure? It’s a lot to unpack.
And thus we are at the point. The path to the next Cyberpunk game has been significantly prolonged and made more complex. CD Projekt Red is making a giant leap of faith by the assumption that all players want to share the neon-lit roads of the future with their buddies. But from the online debates, it seems that a large part of the fan base was simply expecting a bigger, better single-player experience, perhaps on their PlayStation or Xbox.
