The standalone Cyberpunk multiplayer game was axed because of 2077’s botched release
CD Projekt has provided a few new details on the decision to scrap a standalone Cyberpunk multiplayer game.
The company previously planned to release a triple-A Cyberpunk multiplayer game following Cyberpunk 2077’s release.
But those plans changed after Cyberpunk 2077’s troubled launch, Philipp Weber, who was senior quest designer and coordinator on that game, told Eurogamer.
After three delays, Cyberpunk 2077 arrived for PC and consoles with a host of technical problems, resulting in refunds being offered and it being pulled from the PlayStation Store.
“We really needed to look at what were the priorities for Cyberpunk [after it launched],” said Weber. “The priority was that the main experience will run for the people in a really good state. And essentially, the switch of priorities meant that other R&D projects had to go away.
“With Cyberpunk, we wanted to do many things at the same time, and we just needed to really focus and say, ‘Okay, what’s the important part? Yeah, we will make that part really good.'”
CD Projekt president and joint CEO Adam Kiciński confirmed in March 2021 that the company had cancelled plans for a standalone Cyberpunk multiplayer game.
“Previously we hinted that our next triple-A would be a multiplayer Cyberpunk game, but we have decided to reconsider this now,” he said.
“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.”
Having turned Cyberpunk 2077’s fortunes around, CD Projekt is reportedly planning to release a Game of the Year edition in 2023.
It will arrive shortly after the launch of Cyberpunk 2077’s first and only expansion, Phantom Liberty.
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