Cyberpunk 2077 sequel Project Orion officially in the works

CD Projekt Red is planning a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel codenamed Project Orion.

The studio quietly announced the sequel in a batch of strategy materials released via its investor relations account. Project Orion is described as a full-fat "Cyberpunk 2077 sequel that will prove the full power and potential of the Cyberpunk universe." It will be developed by the core CD Projekt Red team. 

Nothing else is known about the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel at this stage, but judging from CDPR's updated production guide, it appears that the project is in pre-production at the absolute most. 

The main CD Projekt Red Twitter account echoed the news in its own post. "Orion is a codename for our next Cyberpunk game, which will take the Cyberpunk franchise further and continue harnessing the potential of this dark future universe," a brief statement reads. 

"Another project we want to focus on is Orion," CDPR president and joint CEO Adam Kicinski said in a video presentation, "the next Cyberpunk game that will fully unleash the potential that this universe offers. Our ambitious plan will require a lot of work, dedication, and further growth of the team."

As it happens, Kicinski also announced a new CDPR studio opening in North America to help support that team growth. 

As a standalone sequel, Project Orion shouldn't be confused with Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, the first expansion for the original game which is currently occupying roughly half of CDPR's considerable staff. It is currently the only planned Cyberpunk 2077 expansion, which suggests work on Project Orion may begin or accelerate after the DLC is finalized. And CDPR has confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty will be a paid expansion.

Among many other major announcements, CDPR also confirmed The Witcher 4 is the start of a new trilogy; a new IP separate from Cyberpunk and Witcher; and a new third-party Witcher game also in development.