CD Projekt has confirmed it’s “considering” multiplayer elements for its Cyberpunk 2077 sequel during an update on its latest development plans – which also included word the studio is aiming to start the production phase for its next Witcher game this year.
That’s according to CD Projekt CEO Adam Badowski, who touched on the studio’s plans for its Cyberpunk 2077 sequel – officially codenamed Orion – in an interview with Reuters. While the publication says Badowski “would not discuss details” about potential multiplayer elements for the sci-fi sequel beyond confirmation the studio was “considering” them, it’s an interesting admission all the same.
CD Projekt did, of course, have major multiplayer plans for the original Cyberpunk 2077 prior to launch; the studio initially announced multiplayer features would be added to the game sometime after release, but by the time 2020 rolled around Cyberpunk’s multiplayer had evolved into a standalone “triple-A” title. Those plans were scaled back significantly following Cyberpunk’s disastrous launch, then finally fizzled out altogether – but with player sentiment around the franchise now considerably higher in light of last year’s acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion, it’s notable the studio could be looking to revive its initial multiplayer plans for a second outing.
Still, with CD Projekt’s Cyberpunk 2077 sequel currently in the “conceptual phase” according to Badowski, nothing is set in store – and the bulk of the studio’s attention is elsewhere, anyway, as preparatory work on the next Witcher game continues.
Last October, CD Projekt confirmed around 330 developers were working on the new Witcher, codenamed Polaris, and Badowski has now reiterated that the studio “would like to have around 400 people working on the project by the middle of this year. Reuters notes that Polaris’ production phase is yet to start, but that CD Projekt is aiming for it to begin this year.
While its next Witcher game is still some considerable way off – and a Cyberpunk sequel further away still – those aren’t the only games on its slate. CD Projekt’s Molasses Flood team is currently working on a multiplayer Witcher spin-off, while a Witcher 1 remake is in development at external studio Fool’s Theory – although there’s no word on when either of those projects might eventually emerge.
