Cyberpunk 2 Moves Into Preproduction—Here’s What CD Projekt Red’s Next Big Bet Means for Gamers

CD Projekt Red has officially pulled back the curtain-at least a little-on the future of Cyberpunk, moving the much-anticipated sequel (codenamed Project Orion, internally called “Cyberpunk 2”) into preproduction. After the stormy launch and eventual redemption arc of Cyberpunk 2077, I’ve been skeptical about CDPR’s every move, but this latest development caught my attention for a few key reasons.

Cyberpunk 2 Enters Preproduction: What’s Really Changing for the Franchise?

• Preproduction officially underway: The concept phase is finished. CDPR is committing resources-and reputation—to a new Cyberpunk title.
• Confirmed: a second city beyond Night City. CDPR is expanding the world, hinting at a fresh vibe and more than just a retread of old ground.
• Phantom Liberty’s success shapes the future: Over 10 million copies sold proves the appetite for more, but also raises expectations astronomically.
• Long wait ahead: With The Witcher 4 not due before 2027, don’t expect “Cyberpunk 2” to drop anytime soon—quality (hopefully) over speed this time.

Let’s get right to it: what’s made this announcement stand out is how cautiously optimistic it feels. This isn’t the bombastic “we’re changing the world!” energy of 2018’s Cyberpunk 2077 hype train. After eating humble pie and winning back some trust with Phantom Liberty, CDPR is taking its time, and to be honest, that’s the smartest play they could make right now.

Mike Pondsmith, the creator of the Cyberpunk tabletop universe, has already teased that we’ll visit a brand new city in this sequel—not just Night City 2.0. That alone is a big deal. Night City was iconic, but by the end of 2077 and its expansion, it started feeling like a sandbox we’d explored to death. A new city (plus Night City’s return) could inject the freshness that the franchise needs, and signals CDPR isn’t content to simply slap a new coat of paint on old assets.

It’s interesting that the team is now calling the project “Cyberpunk 2” internally, ditching the mysterious Orion codename. While that’s not final branding, it shows the studio is focused on building a true sequel, not just a spinoff or expansion. The fact that they’re openly communicating this (rather than hiding behind vague promises) is a step in the right direction after the disastrous communication around 2077’s original launch.

But let’s be real—this is CDPR’s big chance to prove they’ve learned from their mistakes. The mention that “Cyberpunk 2” will release “in due time” (with The Witcher 4 still in the pipeline before 2027) is a clear sign that they’re prioritizing quality over hitting an arbitrary deadline. After the infamous crunch and technical mess of 2077 at launch, most of us would rather wait than repeat that fiasco.

There’s also the shadow of Phantom Liberty’s commercial success. Selling 10 million copies of an expansion is huge, but it’s also a double-edged sword. Now there’s even more pressure on CDPR to deliver a sequel that lives up to the promise of what Cyberpunk should have been from the start. My hope: they use that momentum to innovate and not just play it safe.

What Does This Mean for Gamers?

For RPG fans and sci-fi diehards, the fact that CDPR is taking its time with Cyberpunk 2 is actually good news. We’ve seen what happens when studios rush out ambitious open-world games before they’re ready. This time, the studio is signaling caution: they want to avoid another launch disaster, even if it means a longer wait.

But the most exciting piece is the expansion of the Cyberpunk world. A new city means new stories, fresh lore, and hopefully, a richer cast of characters. CD Projekt needs to show they can build a living, breathing new environment—not just copy-paste quests and gigs. If they get it right, we could finally get the immersive cyberpunk experience that 2077’s marketing promised all those years ago.

Of course, I can’t help but wonder: will CDPR really take their time, or will pressure from investors and the Phantom Liberty sales juggernaut force another rushed launch? The cautious optimism is well-earned, but until we see actual gameplay or meaningful dev updates, skepticism is still warranted. Fool me once, right?

TL;DR: CDPR Bets Big on Cyberpunk’s Future—But They Can’t Afford Another Misstep

CD Projekt Red is putting real resources behind Cyberpunk 2, signaling bigger ambitions and (hopefully) a smarter approach. With a new city on the way and a commitment to a longer development cycle, this could be the comeback the franchise needs—or just another overhyped promise. For now, cautious optimism is the play, but the proof will be in the gameplay, not in PR slides.

Source: CD Projekt Red via GamesPress