- Project Orion will be the most ambitious and biggest sequel to Cyberpunk 2077.
- CD Projekt RED is committed to international development and elite signings to lead the project.
- The new release will include multiplayer, a city inspired by Chicago and unprecedented technical realism.
The hype surrounding CD Projekt RED's next major project, known internally as Project Orion, is reaching unprecedented levels in the video game industry. Since the successful revival of Cyberpunk 2077, The Polish developer is determined to prove that the best is yet to come.The sequel, which is in early development, promises to surpass anything previously seen in the sci-fi RPG genre, with unprecedented technical, thematic, and narrative ambitions.
In this article we are going to break down all the official information and the most solid rumors about Project Orion.: From the state of its development, the studio's new multi-country approach, stellar additions to the team, to details on possible gameplay changes, the inclusion of multiplayer, the city that will serve as its new setting, and much more. If you're a fan of the Cyberpunk universe or simply interested in knowing where the triple-A industry is headed, this review is for you.
The birth of Project Orion: A sequel that seeks to redeem and surpass Cyberpunk 2077
Following the troubled original launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020, CD Projekt RED faced a authentic journey of redemption. Constant updates and an ambitious expansion, Phantom Liberty, helped win back the trust of players and restore the studio's reputation. Now, with Project Orion (the codename for the upcoming sequel), the goal is to go much further. As Igor Sarzynski (narrative director of Project Orion) has stated, "Cyberpunk 2077 was just a warm-up"The studio is poised to set a new standard in futuristic RPGs.
The development of Project Orion It also marks an important transition: The headquarters move from Poland to Boston, USAThis new studio in North America centralizes production, although the team will continue to rely on the collaboration of CDPR's Polish veterans and the support of the Vancouver headquarters. multinational structure seeks to attract global talent and accelerate creative and technical processes.
Current status of development and key signings: An elite team for a blockbuster
At present, Project Orion is in the conceptual and actively recruiting phase.The studio is assembling a much larger team than the one for Cyberpunk 2077, with a particular emphasis on the return of the main creators of the first installment and its expansion:
- Gabriel Amatangelo (Game Director)
- Pawel Sasko (Associate Game Director)
- Igor Sarzyński (Creative and Narrative Director)
- Andrzej Stopa (Film Director)
- Kacper Niepokólczycki (Environment Art Director)
- Sarah Grümmer (Mission Design Leader)
- Kacper Kościeński (Engineering Director)
In addition, CD Projekt's international strategy has been strengthened with the arrival of key industry figures:
- Dan Hernberg (Production executive with experience at Amazon Games and Blizzard)
- Ryan Barnard (Design Director, with experience at Ubisoft and IO Interactive)
- Alan Villani (Engineering Director, who has worked on the Mortal Kombat series)
- Anna Megill (Script Leader, awarded for her work on Control, Dishonored, etc.)
- Alexander Freed (Senior writer, responsible for Star Wars: The Old Republic)
The combination of CDPR veterans and high-profile international signings aims for a global and ambitious approach, with the explicit goal of creating "the studio's largest and most complex title ever produced," according to recent statements. Of course, the production phase is still in its early stages, and many key positions (especially in art, combat and programming) are open in Boston and Vancouver.
More stable development: Unreal Engine 5 and learning from past mistakes
One of the big changes with respect to the original saga is the abandonment of the REDengine graphics engine CD Projekt's own, which caused so many headaches during the development of Cyberpunk 2077.
For Project Orion, the studio is betting on Unreal Engine 5 (the same technology used in upcoming The Witcher titles), with the goal of ensuring a robust technical foundation, minimizing launch errors, and facilitating the integration of graphical and gameplay improvements.
This decision not only modernizes the process, but allows for greater agility in creating dense, detailed open worlds with better management of crowds and behavior Artificial Intelligence, a key section according to the studio's current plans.
New playable horizons: Realism, crowds and contemporary themes
Job offers and official statements make it clear that CD Projekt wants to polish and perfect all the aspects that generated debate in Cyberpunk 2077.One of the strong points this time will be the The most realistic and responsive crowd system ever seen in a video game, something they consider essential to provide life and coherence to the futuristic city in which the action will take place.
According to the descriptions in the open positions, the goal is to create a sense of constant presence and naturalness in the NPCs, to avoid the artificiality typical of open worlds. The crowd's behavior will be a real test of fire and we will spare no resources to achieve it., the study emphasizes.
But it won't just remain visual. Social issues such as the homelessness crisis and the growing power of megacorporations They will be treated in an even deeper and more adult way than in the first installment, seeking to make the game environment serve as a hyperrealistic mirror of the challenges and inequalities of today's world.
Multiplayer in the future of Cyberpunk?
Unlike the original title, The sequel could feature multiplayer options for the first time.Although the developers insist it's not completely guaranteed, the constant references in job postings (where solid experience with multiplayer systems is required) and statements from management leave the door open.
The idea would be to implement Flexible systems that work in both single-player and multiplayer modes, thus allowing for greater replayability and new forms of interaction in the vast open world.
Similarly, elements such as a deeply improved combat system and high-level cinematics are on the Boston team's roadmap, with specific signings in these areas to ensure an immersive, fun, and cutting-edge experience.
Expanding the Universe: A New City Inspired by Chicago
As revealed by Mike Pondsmith himself, creator of the Cyberpunk universe, Project Orion will take place in a new fictional city inspired by Chicago.This change of setting marks a departure from the iconic Night City, opening the door to new stories, factions, cityscapes, and social dynamics.
The setting promises to reflect the cultural melting pot, power struggles, and duality between luxury and misery that characterize large American metropolises, but through the dystopian and technological lens of the cyberpunk genre. A bigger, more vibrant and customizable city is expected., which takes full advantage of the technical possibilities of Unreal Engine 5 and the experience gained from years of work in Night City.
Production and expectations: unprecedented ambition and lessons learned
Despite the secrecy surrounding the project, public statements, the studio's hiring strategy, and its international presence provide clear clues as to the scope of the project. CD Projekt RED is willing to take risks and raise the bar in every aspect: from the narrative and thematic, through the IA and crowds, to the integration of multiplayer options and technical stability.
According to Paweł Sasko (project manager) and Michael Nowakowski (CDPR executive), The sequel's team will be more than double that of the previous installment., which will allow different development facets to be addressed simultaneously and avoid bottlenecks. We pursue both artistic ambition and excellence in gameplay and stability, to avoid past mistakes and ensure a polished experience from day one.
The fact that CD Projekt has openly stated that Project Orion will be "more ambitious than any game in the studio's history" and that they will seek to rival GTA 6 itself in realism, density and detail, shows that The battle for the open world crown is more alive than ever..
Furthermore, while going his own way with a divided team and shared resources, All the planning of Project Orion reflects a clear desire to reinvent itself and surprise both veteran fans and new players..
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