Cyberpunk 2 Pre-Production Begins, Confirms CD Projekt

CD Projekt Confirms Cyberpunk 2 Development

CD Projekt Red has officially kicked off pre-production for Cyberpunk 2, revealed during their latest financial report. The announcement came alongside news that Phantom Liberty, Cyberpunk 2077's expansion, surpassed 10 million sales.

Currently, 96 developers from CD Projekt's 730-strong team are assigned to Cyberpunk 2, with the majority (422 staff) focusing on The Witcher 4. Both projects appear to be several years from completion, but we now know the sequel's official name - previously codenamed "Orion".

Cyberpunk Creator Shares Sequel Details

While concrete details remain scarce, Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith recently dropped some intriguing hints during Digital Dragons 2025. Though less involved than with 2077, Pondsmith confirmed he's reviewing scripts and visiting CD Projekt's studios.

"Last week I was checking out their work," Pondsmith shared. "They'd show me new cyberware designs asking, 'What do you think?' and I'd give feedback on what worked."

Two Cities to Explore

The biggest revelation? Cyberpunk 2 will feature an entirely new city alongside Night City. Pondsmith described it as "Chicago gone wrong" - though clarified this refers to the aesthetic rather than confirming an actual futuristic Chicago setting.

"The environment team showed me their vision," Pondsmith explained. "It maintains Cyberpunk's essence while feeling distinct - less Blade Runner, more urban dystopia. I told them, 'This absolutely works.'"

CD Projekt's Packed Development Pipeline

• Cyberpunk 2 (Codename: Orion) - Pre-production
• The Witcher 4 - 422 developers working
• Cyberpunk Netflix project - Follow-up to Edgerunners
• Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 port - Releasing next month

Key questions remain about Night City's iteration - whether it will be expanded or rebuilt entirely. With at least two major urban areas hinted at, Cyberpunk 2 could offer unprecedented scope for the franchise.

The teaser has already sparked discussions about the sequel's world design across fan communities as players speculate about this "Chicago-esque" dystopia and its relationship to Night City.