The streets of neon graffiti-doused Night City drew in millions of players upon the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in December 2020. Despite a rocky launch, CD Projekt Red’s open-world RPG eventually managed to charm the pants off many fans through continued updates and the high-end Phantom Liberty expansion. Now, all eyes are on the future of the franchise with Project Orion, which is the name of Cyberpunk 2077 sequel. Cyberpunk Orion is the sequel from this CD Projekt Red team with which fans are trying to look for any information that is relevant to the topic.
In this article, we shall take you through everything that we know about Cyberpunk Orion so far. This will include confirmed details, alleged leaks, potential story, as well as what we can expect based on the happenings of the franchise. If you’ve spent many hours in the world of Night City or if you are simply curious about the future of this ambitious cyberpunk saga, then this article is for you. Cyberpunk 2077 is the next entry we will be receiving in this series and it is likely to be one of the most anticipated game releases in a few years.
What is Cyberpunk Orion?
Cyberpunk Orion is the official codename for the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. The project was officially confirmed by CD Projekt Red in October 2022 as part of their long-term development roadmap. As per the announcement of the company, Cyberpunk Orion will ‘take the Cyberpunk franchise further and continue to exploit this dark future universe.’
The name “Orion” in itself is something. Something that is found in science fiction and mythology, typically a powerful hunter or warrior in the night sky. This name choice could imply the developer’s ambition for how big the project would be and how far it would reach. The Cyberpunk Orion is the sequel to a game that sold over 25 million copies despite a rough launch. So expectations are high.
Unlike the original game, which was made by the Warsaw, Poland office of CD Projekt Red, Cyberpunk Orion is being made by a new studio, in Boston, Massachusetts, with support from the Vancouver and Warsaw teams. This is a big change for how CD Projekt Red develops games and it wants to grow worldwide.
Recent Development Updates
In March 2024, CD Projekt Red made the exciting announcement that Cyberpunk Orion has entered pre-production. This is an important milestone in the development of the game which indicates that conceptual work and planning have begun.
The Boston studio leading Cyberpunk Orion‘s development has around 40 developers currently working on the project. As the production reaches maturity, it is expected to scale up and grow significantly, with the number of developers going up to hundreds.
Gabriel Amatangelo has been revealed as the Game Director for Cyberpunk Orion, after having directed Phantom Liberty. His leadership on Phantom Liberty, praised for its story and gameplay, gives hope for what the sequel is heading towards.
CD Projekt Red’s CEO Adam Kiciński stated during an investor call: “The success of Phantom Liberty has validated our belief in the Cyberpunk universe. With Cyberpunk Orion, we’re committed to delivering a title that builds on everything we’ve learned and pushes the boundaries of immersive storytelling even further.
The Leaked Details
In January 2024, apparent details of game development of Cyberpunk Orion got leaked and set the gaming community buzzing. While a live stream from an ex-CD Projekt Red employee took place, documents visible for a short time on his screen appeared to include information about the sequel.
According to these alleged leaks, Cyberpunk Orion may.
- It is set approximately 16-20 years after the events of Cyberpunk 2077.
- Feature an entirely new protagonist with an expanded character creation system.
- Incorporate multiple playable origin stories that significantly impact the narrative.
- Include a larger, more dynamic open world with expanded areas beyond Night City.
- Utilize the Unreal Engine 5 rather than the proprietary REDengine used for Cyberpunk 2077.
CD Projekt Red has neither confirmed nor directly denied these specific details, maintaining its policy of not commenting on leaks or speculation. Nonetheless, the developer confirmed that Cyberpunk Orion will use Unreal Engine 5. Meaning that we will see a shift in technology.
It should be noted that these leaked details should be taken with a pinch of salt. Game development requires multiple iterations to reach the desired outcome, so these things may have been considered in the past. As Jason Schreier of Bloomberg reported: “Early details about games in pre-production often change dramatically by release. What’s on paper today may be completely different from the final product.
Technical Advancements in Cyberpunk Orion
One of the most significant confirmed aspects of Cyberpunk Orion is the shift to Epic’s Unreal Engine 5. This represents a major technical pivot for CD Projekt Red, which previously used its proprietary REDengine for The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077.
According to technical director Jakub Knapik, this engine change brings several advantages: “Unreal Engine 5 provides us with a robust foundation that will allow us to focus more on creating innovative gameplay systems and immersive experiences, rather than spending resources on basic engine functionality.
Switching to Unreal Engine 5 could help Cyberpunk Orion in many ways, technologically.
- Game developers use 3D video cards for translating 3D game data into graphical information, like environment textures.
- Thanks to the Lumen global illumination system, your scene is always lit with dynamic and realistic lighting without baking any lights.
- A standardized engine may offer superior workflow efficiencies, despite the challenges of a proprietary engine.
- Smoother performance on PC and console at launch is possible with better cross-platform optimization.
CD Projekt Red hasn’t given a timeframe for Cyberpunk Orion, but I think we can make some smart guesses based on their current development and past. The announcement confirms pre-production will start in March of 2024, and considering AAA game development cycles these days are quite long, we’re likely looking at a development period of a minimum of 3-4 years at least.
Pawel Sasko, Associate Game Director at CD Projekt Red, offered some perspective during a Twitch stream: “Making games of this scale takes significant time. Cyberpunk Orion is an ambitious project, and we want to ensure we deliver a polished experience from day one.” https://www.twitch.tv/pawesasko.
According to the firm’s current plans, Cyberpunk Orion could drop in 2024.
- 2023-2024: Concept and pre-production.
- 2024-2026: Core production phase.
- Testing, optimization and polishing for 2026-2027.
- 2027-2028: Potential release window.
It is possible that this framework will change due to several reasons, including the introduction of CD Projekt Red’s new “dual-franchise” development approach that ensures an equal focus on The Witcher and Cyberpunk franchises.
Narrative Possibilities for Cyberpunk Orion
For Cyberpunk Orion, we don’t really know what the plot will be, but some possibilities can be imagined based on the lore and various endings of Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty.
In the first game, there were a lot of endings available for V. You could join up with Arasaka, leave with the Aldecaldo’s, be a legend with Rogue in Night City or do one last heist with Johnny Silverhand. Such a sequel will have to resolve these different endings, possibly through.
- Selecting one ending as canonical (similar to how The Witcher 3 handled The Witcher 2’s branching paths).
- Setting the game far enough in the future that the specific ending choice becomes less relevant.
- Introducing an entirely new protagonist with tangential connections to V’s story.
Paweł Sasko, Quest Director for Cyberpunk 2077, provided some cryptic hints during an interview with Game Informer: “The universe of Cyberpunk is vast and filled with complex characters and corporations. With Cyberpunk Orion, we have the opportunity to explore new dimensions of this world that players have only glimpsed so far.
If the leak about a 16-20 year time jump is accurate, Cyberpunk Orion might show a much advanced Night City.
- The corporations that succeeded or failed because of the events of 2077 and the long-term consequences of the Blackwall breach and AI evolution.
- What happened after the heist of the Crystal Palace from Phantom Liberty?
- Netwatch And Developing Rogue AIs Are New Terms In The Cyber World
Gameplay Evolution in Cyberpunk Orion
The initial Cyberpunk 2077 was distilled down to an FPS with elements of both RPGs and immersive sims. In Cyberpunk Orion, we can assume that CD Projekt Red will not abandon these foundations but build upon feedback.
Phantom Liberty made gameplay noticeably better in several areas.
- More dynamic combat encounters.
- Enhanced cyberware functionality.
- Improved vehicle handling.
- More meaningful skill progression.
I think these improvements will be the basis on which Cyberpunk Orion will develop. According to former Senior Gameplay Designer Patrick Mills: “The team learned a tremendous amount through the development of Cyberpunk 2077 and its expansion. Those lessons are invaluable as we look toward the future of the franchise.
Some potential enhancements for Cyberpunk Orion could include gameplay.
- The original game didn’t make full use of the verticality of Night City. The developer may introduce a new feature in Cyberpunk Orion, such as enhanced mantis blade wall-climbing ability, grappling hook, aerial vehicle, etc.
- The hacking mechanics could be expanded much more, perhaps immersing players into deeper realms or networks.
- Destructible and interactive environments will infuse RPG fantasies into Transmorphers. 3D games of the 90s inspired our ultimate vision.
- In the Phantom Liberty expansion, CD Projekt added vehicle combat. Cyberpunk Orion has the opportunity to bring this system to full fruition with dedicated vehicular customization and more extensive chase sequences.
- The systems that allow players to acquire and improve a character’s skills throughout the game are known as RPG systems.
The Cyberpunk 2077 world was received well for its high atmospheric density and visual design, although some critics had issues with NPC behaviour and world interactivity. For Cyberpunk Orion, CD Projekt Red is expected to build an even more immersive and reactive world.
Some developers and industry analysts believe that Cyberpunk Orion will be set in more locations outside Night City. Kyle Rowley, Associate Game Director who recently joined the Boston studio, hinted at this possibility: “Night City was always meant to be the beginning of our exploration of the Cyberpunk world. There’s so much more to this universe that we’ve barely scratched the surface.
Possible new areas that Cyberpunk Orion might visit include.
- Maybe there’s a reason why it’s referenced but not accessible in the original game. A very dangerous place that offers you great rewards.
- Northern California Free State is the area around Night City with different settlements, environments and all.
- An extended edition of the desert outskirts, containing a lot more in it, might also have multiple settlements and factions.
- Crystal Palace: The orbital space station seen at the end of Phantom Liberty could be an interesting zero-gravity setting.
According to the leaks, the time jump could lead to substantial architectural changes and technological advancements in Night City. Urban theorist and game environment consultant Jessica Saunders speculates: “A 16-20 year advancement in the timeline would allow for dramatic restructuring of the urban landscape – corporate wars, climate events, or technological breakthroughs could fundamentally alter Night City’s skyline and infrastructure.
Character and Customization Evolution
The character creation from Cyberpunk 2077 has many customization options but Cyberpunk Orion will reportedly flesh this out even more. The documents claim that there would be multiple playable origin stories, leading to the gameplay’s main narrative evolving like a more detailed Lifepath.
Industry analyst Michael Pachter noted: “Cyberpunk Orion represents CD Projekt Red’s opportunity to fully realize the promise of their character customization systems. We can expect significantly more impactful choices both in character creation and throughout the narrative.
According to player input and industry trends, Cyberpunk Orion might.
- More body types, facial features, and cybernetic options that are not just for flavor.
- The stats and attributes that produce deeper gameplay and dialogue attribute outcomes.
- Expanded romance and relationship systems with NPCs that develop throughout the game.
- Changing looks of the protagonist as per the choices of the user, cybernetics and progress of the game.
Advancements in themes around transhumanism or the enhancement of humans will reflect in the character system too. Alana Pierce, gaming journalist and industry consultant, observed: “With each new cyberpunk narrative, CD Projekt Red has pushed the boundaries of their exploration of humanity in a hyper-technological future. Cyberpunk Orion has the potential to ask even more profound questions about identity in an age where the human form is increasingly malleable.”
Technology and Innovation
A key part of the Cyberpunk universe is near-future tech, which we find pretty interesting. The sequel, Cyberpunk Orion, is possibly set 16-20 years after the original game, hinting at some tech evolution.
Some new technology that is likely to feature in Cyberpunk Orion is
- In 2077, a more integrated connection between our brains and machines will be possible. Entering a video-game-like experience and sharing thoughts with people, while also magically replacing our consciousness in a different body, might just be possible.
- Following the Blackwall events of Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk Orion could feature advanced AIs, either becoming normal citizens of the world or rising as existential threats.
- In Cyberpunk Orion, players may have access to nanomachines as a micro single-use item for body modifications, healing, or manipulating the environment—a larger role than just hinting in the earlier version.
Digital anthropologist Dr. Maya Rivera commented: “The original Cyberpunk 2077 explored technology as an extension of the human body and mind. Cyberpunk Orion has the opportunity to examine the next evolutionary step – where the boundaries between human, machine, and digital consciousness become increasingly blurred.”
Gameplay systems might not just look pretty but also be substantially affected by technology advancements. These ideas could add new categories of cyberware, plus new hacking mechanics and interaction types, feeling both like ‘more of the same’ and a natural evolution of Cyberpunk.
For fans interested in the technological foundations of the Cyberpunk universe, our article on Cyberpunk 2077 provides insights into the augmentations that may evolve in Cyberpunk Orion.
CD Projekt Red’s New Development Philosophy
Does the new Cyberpunk Orion game signify a change in the game development philosophy within CD Projekt Red? After the experience they had with Cyberpunk 2077, the studio changed a few things significantly.
- Multiple studios are collaborating on Cyberpunk Orion, rather than centralizing its development in Warsaw. Development teams in Boston, Vancouver, and Poland are working on the game. This approach is intended to harness various kinds of talent.
- Cyberpunk Orion will be built on Unreal Engine 5 instead of a proprietary engine. This likely means more resources for game content rather than building a game engine.
- More Realistic Planning: The management of CD Projekt Red had come out and said that they will make more realistic timelines during development, along with marketing. “As CEO Adam Kiciński stated, we’ve learnt that it is good to lower expectations and ambitions to practical levels.
The studio’s new model is to not only build various projects in any one cycle, but also draw clearer lines between pre-mediation.
Industry consultant and former BioWare developer Mark Darrah noted: “Cyberpunk Orion represents more than just a sequel – it’s the first major test of CD Projekt Red’s reformed development methodology. The success or failure of this approach will likely define the studio’s direction for the next decade.