Summary
The sequel toCyberpunk 2077, codenamedProject Orionby CD Projekt Red, might feature multiplayer. The prospect of a multiplayer game built onCyberpunk 2077’s foundations could have some promise, but it might also spell trouble for the franchise, and CDPR may be better off avoiding online play altogether.
Although the company has always been known for its bespoke single-player games, comments from CD Projekt Red back in 2022 suggest that futureCyberpunkandThe Witchergames will have multiplayer. It’s important to note that CD Projekt Red has yet to outright state that a futureCyberpunk 2077game will have a multiplayer component, but since the IP is arguably the studio’s most relevant in the current generation, it seems extremely plausible that it would want to capitalize on it by including multiplayer in some capacity, as this would drive engagement and increase longevity. And, of course, there are many ways that gaming companies can enjoy significant profits with multiplayer games.
CDPR was once planning a multiplayer mode forCyberpunk 2077, but the company scrapped it in favor of strengthening the base game.
A Multiplayer Cyberpunk 2077 Game Could Be Complicated
CD Projekt Red’s reputation took a major hit withCyberpunk 2077, but the company and the game have bounced back, and now many players are excited about theupcomingProject Orionsequel. Indeed, there is good reason to be optimistic about the future of theCyberpunk 2077franchise, but CDPR ought to be thoughtful in its approach, as the gaming community will be putting the next game under a microscope, scrutinizing it for technical and design problems, and throwing multiplayer into the mix might not helpProject Orion’s case.
Live-Service Controversy Is the Last Thing Cyberpunk 2077 Needs
For better or worse, the world of multiplayer gaming has changed quite a bit over the past decade. The traditional approach to multiplayer games, seen in the likes ofCall of DutyandTekken, still exists, but the genre is dominated by live-service titles likeFortniteandWarzone. The live-service model, especially when applied to full-price games, has been controversial, and afterCyberpunk 2077’s experience with controversy, the franchise doesn’t need any more bad publicity.
Millions of players enjoy live-service games, but many of their staples are often seen as unfriendly to consumers; in-game purchases, from microtransactions to battle passes, are rarely implemented without criticism from vocal corners of the gaming world, yet these elements are almost always included in ongoing live-service titles. This is mainly because, as maligned as they are, these forms of monetization are profitable, and companies will naturally gravitate toward profitability. So, whileCyberpunk 2077’s world could be better with multiplayer, it would have to be implemented the right way.
Cyberpunk 2077 Is a Great Single-Player Experience
The competitive, cooperative, and social aspects of multiplayer gaming are appealing and beneficial to gaming as a whole, but not every game needs to be or should be multiplayer. CD Projekt Red games, includingCyberpunk 2077, attract those looking for a focused, single-player experience, and adding a multiplayer element, be it competitive or co-op, could tarnish what makes the experience so special. Sometimes, players can feel like developers prioritize the more profitable and enduring multiplayer side of a game, abandoning the single-player content that attracted them in the first place. A good example of this would bethe lack of DLC inGTA 5andRed Dead Redemption 2, which many attribute to Rockstar’s focus on multiplayer for those games.
Needless to say,Project Orionisn’t doomed to fail if it includes multiplayer. In fact, a multiplayer mode could work well in aCyberpunk 2077sequel, with free-form co-op sounding particularly promising. However, CD Projekt Red should be careful with this, avoiding live-service pitfalls and keeping the emphasis on single-player gameplay.
Cyberpunk 2077
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades.The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?
