CD Projekt Red has "decided to reconsider" Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer direction
The studio wants to bring multiplayer to all its franchises rather than zero in on Cyberpunk
CD Projekt Red has "decided to reconsider" its plan to move wholesale onto Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer development as its next main project, leaving the shape and scope of the online mode unclear.
"Previously, we hinted that our next AAA would be a multiplayer Cyberpunk game, but we have decided to reconsider this plan," CDPR CEO Adam Kiciński says in a new video. "Given our new, more systematic and agile approach, instead of primarily focusing on one big online experience or game, we are focusing on bringing online into all of our franchises one day."
Kiciński also assured fans that "CD Projekt Red makes single-player, story-driven, AAA RPGs. That is not changing. What is changing is our long-term approach to online. And by this, we mean ensuring we are properly prepared to implement online elements in our games where they make sense. We don't want to go overboard or lose our single-player DNA. We want to take thoughtful steps to build robust online capabilities."
For several months now, CDPR and Kiciński have discussed Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer as a standalone product, and a big one at that. It wasn't going to be a mere multiplayer mode added to the base game through DLC, but a full-fat online experience that would sit alongside it. A release date for the multiplayer mode was never set, but 2022 was always the most optimistic estimate.
With the studio now reconsidering the direction of Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer, there's no telling when we'll see it or how it will play. The studio seems to be more interested in building the groundwork for universal online options rather than pouring everything into one specific online mode.
"We are building an online technology that can be seamlessly integrated into the development of our future games," Kiciński adds. "This technology will power the online components we choose to introduce in our games, and will ensure we can do so without any great technological debt. With this technology in place, we can start to grow an online community powered by our own GOG Galaxy platform, which connects gamers both inside and outside of our games."
This news comes on the heels of the studio's new plan to simultaneously develop two AAA IP in 2022 and beyond, with The Witcher 4 being an unannounced but heavily teased parallel to Cyberpunk.
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Cyberpunk 2077 tips | How long to beat Cyberpunk | Cyberpunk 2077 lifepath guide | Cyberpunk 2077 map | How to steal cars in Cyberpunk 2077 | Cyberpunk 2077 best weapons | Cyberpunk 2077 Romance options | Cyberpunk 2077 ending | Cyberpunk 2077 Mantis Blades | Cyberpunk 2077 change appearance | Cyberpunk 2077 builds | Cyberpunk 2077 hacking guide | Cyberpunk 2077 bugs | Cyberpunk 2077 patch notes
Austin freelanced for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Sports Illustrated, and more while finishing his journalism degree, and he's been with GamesRadar+ since 2019. They've yet to realize that his position as a senior writer is just a cover up for his career-spanning Destiny column, and he's kept the ruse going with a focus on news and the occasional feature, all while playing as many roguelikes as possible.
Cyberpunk 2077's surprise car customization update was co-developed by the Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake devs, lets you lower your wanted level on the fly GTA-style
Cyberpunk 2077 is getting a surprise update a year after its once-final update, even after CDPR moved basically every dev to other games: "Sometimes, you want to do it ONE MORE time!"