Your patience with CD Projekt Red’s methodical approach is about to be tested again. The Polish studio confirmed Wednesday that Cyberpunk 2 — dropping the “Project Orion” codename — has officially entered pre-production. This milestone arrives nearly three years after the sequel was first announced, but don’t mistake progress for proximity to your gaming shelf.
The reality check hits harder than a corpo netrunner’s ICE attack. CD Projekt joint CEO Michał Nowakowski noted their typical journey from pre-production to final release takes four to five years.
That projected timeline places Cyberpunk’s sequel around 2030 or 2031, mirroring trends seen with Elder Scrolls VI and GTA VI, both of which have endured lengthy development cycles. But when you’re aiming to join the ranks of the best video games of the decade, that kind of creative runway isn’t just expected—it’s essential.
CD Projekt’s resource allocation tells the real story about priorities. While 96 developers work on Cyberpunk 2, a hefty 422 are focused on The Witcher 4, which entered full production last year.
Your cyberpunk cravings will remain secondary to Geralt’s next adventure — at least for now. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella from Circana notes this conservative approach reflects lessons learned across the AAA space.
The sequel promises expansion beyond Night City’s neon-soaked streets. Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith recently leaked details about a new city that “feels more like Chicago gone wrong” rather than the Blade Runner aesthetic. Two massive urban environments could justify the extended development timeline, assuming CD Projekt delivers on that ambitious scope.
Yet another factor influences the timeline: CD Projekt’s painful lessons from 2020’s launch disaster. The studio clearly prioritizes avoiding another crunch-fueled catastrophe over meeting unrealistic deadlines. The success of Phantom Liberty, which sold over 10 million copies, validates this careful approach.
This measured pace reflects industry-wide changes in AAA development expectations. Your tolerance for broken launches has diminished significantly since Cyberpunk 2077’s technical meltdown. CD Projekt understands that reputation recovery requires more than flashy marketing — it demands actual quality at launch.
The announcement coincides with impressive franchise metrics that justify continued investment. The Witcher 3 has generated roughly $640 million in revenue while selling 60 million copies, proving CD Projekt’s long-term development strategy pays dividends when executed properly.
Your next trip to Cyberpunk’s twisted future may be years off, but that delay could work in your favor. CD Projekt Red’s early commitment to a sequel set in a dystopian version of Chicago signals real development, not just vaporware. Sure, it’ll test your patience more than those endless Silverhand flashbacks—but at least you’ll know what city you’re fighting to survive next.
Your best bet? Use this timeline to explore Cyberpunk’s expanded universe — catch up on Edgerunners, dive into the tabletop RPG, or finally complete that corpo playthrough you’ve been putting off.
