What Is Cyberpunk 2077 Development and history

Cyberpunk 2077 is a 2020 action role-playing game. It was made by the Polish studio CD Projekt Red and published by CD Projekt. The game is based on Mike Pondsmith’s Cyberpunk tabletop game series.

It is set in the dystopian metropolis of Night City, California. Development started after The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Blood and Wine in 2016. A team of around 500 people used the REDengine 4 game engine.

CD Projekt launched a new division in Wrocław, Poland. They also partnered with several companies to aid production. The game was first announced in 2012.

It was set to release on April 16, 2020. But, it was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges. It finally came out on December 10, 2020.

The total cost to develop and market Cyberpunk 2077 is over $436 million. This makes it one of the most expensive video games ever created.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Cyberpunk 2077 is a 2020 action role-playing game developed by CD Projekt Red.
The game is based on the Cyberpunk tabletop game series and set in the dystopian city of Night City, California.
Development began in 2016 with a team of around 500 people using the REDengine 4 game engine.
The game was originally announced in 2012 and delayed multiple times before its final release on December 10, 2020.
The total cost to develop and market Cyberpunk 2077, including updates and DLC, exceeded $436 million.

Introduction to Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 is an action-packed role-playing game set in the neon-lit city of Night City. It’s developed by CD Projekt Red, known for The Witcher series. The game offers a huge open world to explore, filled with cool cyberpunk features and gameplay.

Overview of the Game

In Cyberpunk 2077, you play as V, a customizable mercenary in Night City’s underworld. You can choose to be a Netrunner, Engineer, or Solo, each with special abilities. This lets you play the game in many ways.

Night City is split into six areas, each with its own feel and challenges. You can walk or drive around, using cars, bikes, and even flying vehicles. The game’s story and choices let you shape the world and its outcomes.

Developers: CD Projekt Red

CD Projekt Red, the makers of The Witcher, created Cyberpunk 2077. They used a team of about 500 people and REDengine 4 for the game’s visuals. They also worked with tech leaders to add features like real-time ray tracing and lip-syncing.

Early Development and Announcement

Cyberpunk 2077 draws from the Cyberpunk tabletop game series, especially Cyberpunk 2020 by Mike Pondsmith. CD Projekt Red, known for the Witcher series, teamed up with Pondsmith. They aimed to bring the cyberpunk world to life in a new way.

Inspiration from Cyberpunk Tabletop Games

The Cyberpunk tabletop games inspired Cyberpunk 2077’s world and characters. CD Projekt Red wanted to make a first-person open-world game that felt like the tabletop. Pondsmith’s help kept the game true to cyberpunk’s spirit.

CD Projekt Red’s Vision and Promises

In 2012, CD Projekt Red announced Cyberpunk 2077 with big plans. They said it would be a game-changer for futuristic RPGs. The excitement was high, especially among fans of cyberpunk 2077 tabletop inspiration, cyberpunk 2020, and cyberpunk rpg.

But, these high hopes led to production hurdles and delays. The CD Projekt Red Cyberpunk 2077 promises and Cyberpunk 2077 expectations were hard to meet.

what is cyberpunk 2077 Based On?

Cyberpunk 2077 is a video game by CD Projekt Red. It takes inspiration from Cyberpunk 2020 and the Blade Runner films. These sources have greatly influenced the game’s world, themes, and look.

Cyberpunk 2020 and Blade Runner Influence

The game’s world is based on Cyberpunk 2020, a tabletop RPG by Mike Pondsmith. It’s set in a future where technology and social class are key. The game also explores what it means to be human in a world of machines, much like Blade Runner.

Incorporating Keanu Reeves as Johnny Silverhand

Keanu Reeves stars as Johnny Silverhand, a famous rock star and rebel. He not only voiced and motion captured the character but also promoted the game. Silverhand’s role in the story adds depth to the game’s cyberpunk themes.

The game’s vision is shaped by these cyberpunk classics and Keanu Reeves. This makes Cyberpunk 2077 a standout experience for fans of the genre.

Production Challenges and Delays

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected Cyberpunk 2077 development. CD Projekt Red had to work remotely, which made the game’s release date hard to meet. The game was first set to come out on April 16, 2020, but was delayed six months to September 17, 2020.

Despite the extra time, Cyberpunk 2077 production challenges kept coming. The game’s release was pushed back again to November 19, 2020, and then to December 10, 2020. The Cyberpunk 2077 COVID delay and fixing technical issues were the main reasons for these delays.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic was tough on game development, including CD Projekt Red. They had to work from home, which made teamwork and integrating game systems harder. The Cyberpunk 2077 COVID delay was because of the pandemic’s effect on their work.

Multiple Release Date Postponements

Cyberpunk 2077 faced many release date changes. The game’s big scope, production issues, and fixing bugs were the main reasons. It was first set for April 16, 2020, but was delayed to September 17, 2020. Then, it was pushed back to November 19, 2020, and finally to December 10, 2020. These changes were to make sure the game was ready and stable when it launched.

Critical Reception and Controversies

Cyberpunk 2077 got mixed reviews when it came out. People loved the game’s story, setting, and graphics. The world of Night City was a big hit, and Keanu Reeves’ character, Johnny Silverhand, was praised.

Praise for Narrative and Graphics

The game’s story and visuals were top-notch, many said. Night City’s cyberpunk world was praised for its immersive feel and detail. Keanu Reeves’ role as Johnny Silverhand was especially well-liked.

Backlash over Technical Issues and Representation

But, the game had big problems with bugs and performance, especially on consoles. Players faced glitches and crashes that ruined their experience. CD Projekt Red’s struggle to fix these issues led to a lot of criticism.

There were also debates about the game’s representation. Some were upset about how transgender characters were shown and the depiction of certain gangs. These issues sparked a big discussion about diversity and representation in games.

Praise for Cyberpunk 2077	Backlash and Controversies
Immersive and detailed world-building of Night City Compelling main story and character development Impressive graphics and visual presentation Keanu Reeves’ performance as Johnny Silverhand	Widespread technical issues and bugs, especially on consoles Concerns over the portrayal of transgender characters Criticism of the representation of certain in-game gangs Disparity between marketing promises and actual game content

Financial Implications and Lawsuits

Cyberpunk 2077, a highly awaited video game from CD Projekt Red, has faced big financial and legal hurdles since its launch. It’s one of the priciest video game projects, with costs over $436 million. The game’s big scope and a team of about 500 people added to the cost.

CD Projekt Red also spent a lot on marketing, including partnerships and trailers. Keanu Reeves’ involvement was part of this. Despite high hopes, the game’s launch was marred by technical problems and controversy, affecting the company’s finances.

Class-Action Lawsuits and Investigations

CD Projekt Red faced legal troubles after Cyberpunk 2077’s launch. Investors sued the company, saying it misled them about the game’s quality, especially on consoles. They claimed the company downplayed the game’s issues, making investors think it was better than it was.

Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection also started an investigation into the company’s marketing. These legal issues added to the game’s troubled start.

Statistic	Value
Lawsuit Settlement Amount	$1.85 million
Investor Shares Purchased	328 shares at $21.30 per share
Game Ratings	Push Square: 3/10, IGN: 4/10
Stock Price Drop	60.5% decline, from $117 to $46.22
Market Capitalization Decrease	$7.2 billion

Post-Launch Updates and Future Plans

After Cyberpunk 2077’s rocky start, CD Projekt Red worked hard to fix the game. They released patches to make the game more stable and bug-free. Sony took the game off the PlayStation Store for a few months to give the developer time to fix things.

The game is now back on the PlayStation Store. A native PS5 version came out in February 2022, along with an Xbox Series X/S version.

Performance Patches and PS Store Removal

CD Projekt Red has been working non-stop to make Cyberpunk 2077 better. They’ve fixed many technical issues, improving the game’s look and feel. The gaming community has praised their efforts, calling the game one of the top RPGs out there.

Announced Sequel and Expansion

CD Projekt Red is not giving up on Cyberpunk 2077. They’ve started working on a sequel, “Project Orion,” and an expansion called “Phantom Liberty.” The expansion is set to come out in September 2023 for PS5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.

This shows CD Projekt Red’s commitment to the Cyberpunk world. They aim to regain player trust with better experiences in the future.

Cyberpunk 2077’s journey has had ups and downs. But CD Projekt Red’s hard work and plans for the future are promising. The sequel and expansion will likely offer a more polished and engaging Cyberpunk experience.

Conclusion

Cyberpunk 2077’s journey is a lesson for the video game world. The game’s big dreams and technical troubles led to a rough start. It faced many issues, including bugs and player anger.

CD Projekt Red learned a lot from this experience. They now know the value of careful planning and clear communication. They also see how important it is to focus on quality.

The game’s story, with its many endings, shows the dark side of Cyberpunk 2077. It makes players think and feel deeply. This shows the game’s complex and sad nature.

Yet, there’s hope for Night City and its people. The game shows that players can make a difference. Cyberpunk 2077’s story is a reminder of the challenges in making games.

The game industry will keep growing, and Cyberpunk 2077’s story will help shape it. It teaches us about balancing creativity, technology, and what players want. These lessons will guide future games.

FAQ

What is Cyberpunk 2077?

Cyberpunk 2077 is a 2020 action role-playing game. It was made by CD Projekt Red, a Polish studio. The game is set in Night City, California, a dystopian metropolis.

When did Cyberpunk 2077 start development?

Work on Cyberpunk 2077 began after The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Blood and Wine in 2016. A team of around 500 people used the REDengine 4 game engine.

When was Cyberpunk 2077 released?

Announced in 2012, Cyberpunk 2077 was set to release on April 16, 2020. But, it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It finally came out on December 10, 2020.

How much did Cyberpunk 2077 cost to make?

The game’s development and marketing cost over 6 million. This makes it one of the most expensive games ever.

Who created Cyberpunk 2077?

CD Projekt Red, a Polish game development company, made Cyberpunk 2077. They are known for the Witcher series.

What is Cyberpunk 2077 based on?

It’s based on Mike Pondsmith’s Cyberpunk tabletop game series. It also takes inspiration from the Blade Runner film franchise.

What are the key features of Cyberpunk 2077?

Cyberpunk 2077 is a first-person action role-playing game. You play as V, a customizable protagonist. The game has flexible gameplay, a vast open-world, and interactive environments.

What were the main production challenges and delays for Cyberpunk 2077?

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected its development. The team had to work remotely, leading to multiple delays. The game finally launched on December 10, 2020.

How was Cyberpunk 2077 received?

Critics praised its narrative, setting, and graphics. However, players were upset by technical issues and representation controversies.

What is the current status and future plans for Cyberpunk 2077?

CD Projekt Red has been fixing technical issues with updates. They plan to support the franchise further. This includes a sequel, “Project Orion,” and an expansion, “Phantom Liberty,” set for 2023.