A sequel to the critically acclaimed Cyberpunk 2077, currently referred to by the codename Project Orion, is actively being developed by CD Projekt Red. Since the project’s announcement in 2022, details have emerged gradually, but the Polish studio has remained largely silent on specifics. Mike Pondsmith, the creator of the Cyberpunk franchise, has unveiled some insights into this anticipated sequel, confirming it will introduce a new city alongside Night City.
New City to Join Night City in Sequel
Pondsmith, who crafted the original Cyberpunk tabletop RPG that inspired the video game, discussed Project Orion in an interview with the Polish media outlet TVGRY at the Digital Dragons Conference. Although he expressed that his role in this sequel isn’t as hands-on as it was with the original title, he has had the opportunity to review the scripts.
“Last week I had the chance to speak with different departments and see their progress, like, ‘Oh look, this is the new cyberware, what do you think?’” Pondsmith recounted. His enthusiasm highlighted ongoing collaborations within the development team.
One significant revelation from Pondsmith is that Project Orion will feature an additional city, expanding the game’s universe beyond Night City. He, however, opted not to disclose further specifics about this new locale, only hinting at its ambiance.
He mentioned, “I spent considerable time with an environment designer, who described how the new place in Orion functions… because there’s another city we visit. I can’t say much more than that, but yes, there is an additional city.”
Pondsmith reaffirmed that Night City remains a central element in the sequel, characterizing the new city as reminiscent of a “Chicago gone wrong.” He elaborated, “I recall seeing it and recognizing the vibe they were aiming for; this truly does fit, and it doesn’t evoke Blade Runner — it feels more akin to a distorted version of Chicago. I believe this concept will work well.”
Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City is recognized for its intricate detail
Photo Credit: CD Projekt Red
Project Orion: Expanding Horizons
The inclusion of two fully developed cities is set to significantly broaden the scope of Project Orion, promising a more expansive gameplay experience than Cyberpunk 2077. This is particularly notable given the intricate design of Night City, which saw further expansion with the Phantom Liberty DLC introducing a new district named Dogtown.
Despite the exciting new features, CD Projekt Red has maintained a level of secrecy about the sequel since its initial announcement as Project Orion. At that time, the studio indicated the game would aim to “carry the Cyberpunk franchise further and continue harnessing the potential of this dark future universe.”
In a recent job posting, the Boston studio, which is overseeing the development of the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, mentioned that the game would include “the most realistic and reactive crowd system in any game to date.”
Developing using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5, Project Orion is expected to be available on both PC and current-generation consoles, although a release date has yet to be officially announced, suggesting the game may still be several years from launch.
In addition to Project Orion, CD Projekt is also engaged in the development of The Witcher 4, with potential release expected no earlier than 2027. Multiple projects are underway within The Witcher universe, including a complete remake of the original game from 2007.
