CD Projekt's highly anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, codenamed Project Orion, remains shrouded in mystery, yet Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith has offered tantalizing hints about the game's direction. Pondsmith, who played a significant role in the development and promotion of the original Cyberpunk 2077, which sold over 30 million copies, shared insights into his involvement with Project Orion at the Digital Dragons 2025 conference.
While Pondsmith clarified that his involvement with Project Orion is less hands-on compared to the first game, he remains engaged by reviewing scripts and visiting CD Projekt to monitor progress. During a recent visit, he shared an anecdote about interacting with different departments and providing feedback on new elements like cyberware.
Perhaps the most intriguing detail Pondsmith revealed is the inclusion of a new city alongside the familiar Night City from Cyberpunk 2077. He described this new urban landscape as "like Chicago gone wrong," suggesting a dystopian atmosphere distinct from the Blade Runner-esque vibe of Night City. This comment has sparked speculation about whether the sequel will feature a futuristic version of Chicago or simply a city with a similar feel.
There's ongoing debate about whether Project Orion will expand upon the existing Night City or introduce a new version, and the extent to which these cities will be playable. While much remains unknown, it appears that players might explore two fully realized cities in this sequel.
Every CD Projekt Red Game In Development
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While CD Projekt's current focus is on The Witcher 4, a new studio in Boston is dedicated to working on Project Orion. Earlier this year, CD Projekt revealed that 84 out of its 707 staff members are involved in Orion, which is still in the concept phase. Given its early stage, significant changes are expected, and a release is not anticipated for some time.
In addition to Project Orion, CD Projekt is expanding the Cyberpunk universe with a new animation project on Netflix following the success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. In the near future, Cyberpunk 2077 is also slated to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2.
