Project Orion: Everything you need to know about the ambitious sequel to Cyberpunk 2077

The anticipation surrounding CD Projekt RED's next big project, known internally as Project Orion, is reaching unprecedented levels in the video game industry. Since the successful resurgence of Cyberpunk 2077, the Polish developer is determined to prove that the best is yet to come . The sequel, currently in early development, promises to surpass everything previously seen in the science fiction RPG genre, with unprecedented technical, thematic, and narrative ambitions.

In this article, we'll break down all the official information and the most solid rumors about Project Orion : from its development status and the studio's new multi-country focus to the star-studded team additions, details about potential gameplay changes, the inclusion of multiplayer, the city that will serve as a new setting, and much more. If you're a fan of the Cyberpunk universe or simply interested in where the AAA industry is headed, this overview 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 true journey of redemption . Constant updates and an ambitious expansion, Phantom Liberty, allowed them to regain 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) stated, "Cyberpunk 2077 was just a warm-up ." The studio is ready to set a new standard in futuristic games and RPGs.

The development of Project Orion also marks a significant transition: the main headquarters is moving from Poland to Boston, USA . This new North American studio centralizes production, although the team will continue to collaborate with the veteran Polish team at CDPR and receive support from the Vancouver office. This multinational structure aims to attract global talent and accelerate creative and technical processes.

Current status of development and key signings: An elite team for a blockbuster

Project Orion is currently in the conceptual and active hiring phase . The studio is assembling a much larger team than that of Cyberpunk 2077, with a particular emphasis on bringing back key developers from 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 hires points to a global and ambitious approach, with the explicit goal of creating "the biggest and most complex title ever made by the studio," 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 biggest changes from the original saga is the abandonment of CD Projekt's own REDengine graphics engine , 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 the upcoming Witcher titles), with the aim 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 also allows for greater agility in creating dense, detailed open worlds with better crowd management and AI behavior , a key aspect according to the studio's current plans.

New playable horizons: Realism, crowds and contemporary themes

Job postings and official statements make it clear that CD Projekt wants to refine and perfect all the aspects that generated debate in Cyberpunk 2077. One of the key strengths this time around will be the most realistic and reactive crowd system ever seen in a video game , something they consider fundamental to bringing life and coherence to the futuristic city where the action takes place.

According to the job postings, the goal is to create a sense of constant presence and naturalness in the NPCs, avoiding the artificiality typical of open worlds. Crowd behavior will be a true test, and we will spare no resources to achieve it , the studio emphasizes.

But it won't just be about visuals. Social issues such as the homelessness crisis and the growing power of megacorporations will be addressed in an even deeper and more mature way than in the first installment, aiming to make the game environment 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 fully guaranteed, the constant references in job postings (where solid experience in multiplayer systems is required) and statements from executives 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 profoundly improved combat system and high-level cinematic sequences are on the roadmap for the Boston team, 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, 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 the duality between luxury and poverty that characterize major American metropolises, but through the dystopian and technological lens of the cyberpunk genre. A larger, more vibrant, and customizable city is expected , one that takes full advantage of the technical capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 and the experience gained from years of work on Night City.

Production and expectations: unprecedented ambition and lessons learned

Despite the secrecy surrounding the project, both public statements and the studio's hiring strategy and international activity offer clear clues about its scope. CD Projekt RED is willing to take risks and raise the bar in every aspect : from narrative and themes, through AI and crowds, to the integration of multiplayer options and technical stability.

According to Paweł Sasko (project director) and Michael Nowakowski (CDPR executive), the sequel's team will be more than twice the size of the previous installment , allowing them to tackle different facets of development simultaneously and avoid bottlenecks. They are pursuing both artistic ambition and excellence in gameplay and stability, aiming to avoid past mistakes and guarantee a polished experience from day one.

The fact that CD Projekt has openly declared that Project Orion will be "more ambitious than any game in the studio's history" and that they will seek to rival GTA 6 in realism, density, and detail, demonstrates that the battle for the open-world crown is more alive than ever.

Furthermore, while forging its own path with a divided team and shared resources, all of Project Orion's planning reflects a clear desire to reinvent itself and surprise both veteran fans and new players.

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