Summary
- The Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, code-named Project Orion, will reportedly use a first-person perspective.
- While the decision to make Cyberpunk 2077 first-person was initially met with some skepticism from fans, it ended up being hailed as one of the game’s biggest strengths.
- Project Orion isn’t expected to hit the market before late 2020s at the earliest.
The Cyberpunk 2077 sequel will retain the first-person perspective of its predecessor, according to a newly emerged job listing. The same posting also offers some hints as to the current status of CD Projekt Red‘s upcoming game.
Code-named Project Orion, the follow-up to Cyberpunk 2077 was first announced in October 2022. While CDPR has shared little about the game since then, occasional details have surfaced through the company’s job listings.
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For as great as it is, Cyberpunk 2077 has some undeniable shortcomings, and its catalog of samey, boilerplate bosses is one of them.
In yet another example of this trend, the Boston branch of CDPR that’s in charge of the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel recently posted a job ad for a senior gameplay animator, as first spotted by Reddit user Lymbasy. The February 20 listing states that crafting immersive first-person experiences is one of the main responsibilities of the role. In doing so, the ad appears to confirm that the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel will inherit the gameplay perspective of its predecessor.
First-Person Perspective Is a Key Part of Cyberpunk 2077’s Identity
Back when CDPR first revealed that Cyberpunk 2077 would be a first-person game during E3 2018, that announcement was initially met with some skepticism. A vocal section of the fandom questioned the perspective shift, prompting CDPR to defend the decision to make Cyberpunk 2077 a first-person experience. The studio’s position was eventually vindicated, not least because the first-person perspective ended up being hailed as one of Cyberpunk 2077‘s biggest strengths, which improved its sense of scale and allowed for more intimate cutscenes, ultimately making it incredibly immersive.
With Cyberpunk 2077 selling 30 million copies as of the end of 2024, it’s unsurprising that CDPR seems to be sticking with the first-person perspective for Project Orion, looking to build on its successful template rather than completely revamp it. Moreover, if the previous game is any indication, Project Orion may not be entirely played from the first person, but also provide players with the option of using a third-person camera while driving vehicles.
Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel Seems Likely to Skip This Console Generation
While the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel has been in pre-production since late 2022, the newly emerged job listing suggests that the game still hasn’t left this early stage of development. Project Orion may not enter active production before The Witcher 4 is close to release. The fourth mainline The Witcher game—code-named Project Polaris—only started full production circa November 2024, making it unlikely to hit the market before late 2027. Since this time frame places Project Orion’s tentative release window in the late 2020s or early 2030s, the game could skip the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in favor of only launching for PC and the next console generation, which is forecast to arrive between 2027 and 2028.
- Released
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December 10, 2020
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol