Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077
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Title	Cyberpunk 2077
Developer	CD Projekt Red
Publisher	CD Projekt
Director	Adam Badowski
Designer	Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz
Platforms	Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia
Released	December 10, 2020
Genre	Action role-playing
Modes	Single-player

Cyberpunk 2077 is an action role-playing video game developed by CD Projekt Red and published by CD Projekt. Set in a dystopian near-future, the game features an open-world metropolis and a branching narrative with multiple endings. It gained wide attention prior to release due to connections with the Cyberpunk 2020 tabletop role-playing game and high-profile marketing, while post-launch work involved substantial patches and expansions.

Gameplay

The player controls V, a customizable mercenary whose skills span swordsmanship-adjacent blades, Marksmanship-style firearms, and cybernetic hacking tied to factions like Maelstrom and corporations comparable to Arasaka in the game's source material. Gameplay blends first-person shooting, stealth comparable to mechanics from Deus Ex, and role-playing progression systems reminiscent of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with attribute trees nodding to Fallout perks and Mass Effect conversation choices. Players can upgrade cyberware at clinics influenced by Riot Games-style tech trees, take on gigs resembling missions from Grand Theft Auto V, and pilot vehicles across Night City districts with driving influenced by Burnout-era handling. Crafting and economy systems allow trade with vendors in markets like those seen in Shadowrun and reputation affects interactions with groups such as Valentinos and 6th Street. Multiple endings depend on alliances and choices between entities evoking Militech, Konpeki Plaza-style intrigue, and individuals tied to the in-game rock scene inspired by acts like Kraftwerk and Nine Inch Nails.

Setting and characters

The narrative unfolds in Night City, a megalopolis influenced by cyberpunk literature from William Gibson, Philip K. Dick, and Bruce Sterling, and visual styles from Blade Runner and Akira. Key characters include Johnny Silverhand, a rocker and revolutionary portrayed by Keanu Reeves, corporate figures echoing executives from Sony-era conglomerates, and fixers resembling operatives from Nocturne-style noir. Corporations in the setting mirror megacorps such as Arasaka and Militech, while street-level groups recall Maelstrom and Tyger Claws. Neighborhoods reference archetypes found in Chinatowns of major cities and entertainment districts akin to Las Vegas and Tokyo. Storylines involve heists, betrayals, and memory questions evocative of Total Recall and political intrigue similar to incidents at World Economic Forum discussions on tech ethics. The cast spans actors and performers who have worked with Netflix, HBO, and major studios.

Development

Development began after the success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt at CD Projekt Red, drawing on licensing from R. Talsorian Games for Cyberpunk 2020. The project attracted talent with histories at studios like Bioware, CD Projekt Red veterans, and cinematic collaborators from Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. Motion-capture sessions involved techniques used in productions such as The Last of Us and Call of Duty cutscenes. Development cycles included delays similar to those experienced by Duke Nukem Forever and coordination across offices that mirrored multinational projects at Ubisoft and Electronic Arts. Publicity included appearances at E3 and partnerships with brands comparable to Microsoft and Epic Games; the soundtrack involved producers who collaborated with artists represented by Universal Music Group.

Release and post-launch updates

The game launched on December 10, 2020, across platforms including consoles distributed by Sony Interactive Entertainment and Microsoft Studios. Early sales paralleled major releases like Red Dead Redemption 2 but technical issues on last-generation consoles prompted removals from some digital storefronts and recalls reminiscent of controversies faced by No Man's Sky and Fallout 76. CD Projekt Red issued patches and roadmaps similar to post-launch recovery strategies used by Rockstar Games and Bethesda Softworks, and developed a next-generation update and paid expansions comparable to The Witcher 3's expansions. Ongoing support included hotfixes, content patches, and collaborations highlighted at events like Gamescom and The Game Awards.

Reception and sales

Critical reception varied: praise focused on narrative ambition and production values akin to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and performances comparable to high-profile casts in Hollywood productions, while criticism targeted stability problems similar to early launches for Assassin's Creed Unity. Awards consideration included nominations from organizations such as BAFTA and the Game Developers Choice Awards, though some accolades were affected by the game's technical state at release. Commercially, initial sales were strong and mirrored blockbuster debuts like Grand Theft Auto V, driving revenue that impacted CD Projekt's market position and investor relations, while refunds and legal actions evoked previous industry disputes involving Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard.

Cultural impact and controversies

The title influenced discussions on ethical design and corporate responsibility alongside debates sparked by works such as Black Mirror and The Social Dilemma. Celebrity involvement from figures associated with Keanu Reeves and cross-media marketing drew attention comparable to collaborations between Marvel Studios and gaming. Controversies included debates about workplace practices at CD Projekt Red with comparisons to crunch discussions at Rockstar Games and Naughty Dog, representation concerns similar to conversations about Watch Dogs and Mass Effect: Andromeda, and legal scrutiny over marketing claims likened to cases involving Konami and Square Enix. The game's recovery through patches and expansions has been analyzed in industry studies alongside turnarounds such as No Man's Sky and Final Fantasy XIV.

Category:Video games