Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel: Mike Pondsmith Hints at New Dystopian City Alongside Night City

CD Projekt's Cyberpunk 2077 follow-up, codenamed Project Orion, remains under wraps, but Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith recently shared intriguing details about the upcoming game.

At the Digital Dragons 2025 conference, Pondsmith, who collaborated extensively with CD Projekt on the blockbuster Cyberpunk 2077, discussed his role in Project Orion.

He noted a less hands-on role this time but still reviews scripts and visited CD Projekt to assess progress.

“Last week, I was exploring various departments, checking out their work. They showed me new cyberware, asking, ‘What do you think?’ I gave feedback, like, ‘That fits perfectly.’”

Pondsmith then revealed a key detail: the sequel introduces a new city alongside Night City, describing it as “a dystopian twist on Chicago.”

“I spoke with an environment designer about the new setting in Orion. There’s another city we explore—I won’t say more. Night City remains, but this new place has a unique vibe. It’s not Blade Runner; it’s like Chicago gone awry. I could see it working.”

Pondsmith’s remarks don’t confirm a futuristic Chicago but suggest a city with a similar dystopian feel. Whether it’s a reimagined Chicago remains unconfirmed.

Questions linger about whether the sequel will expand Night City from Cyberpunk 2077 or introduce a new version, and how playable each city will be. The game may feature two fully realized cities.

Every CD Projekt Red Game In Development

While CD Projekt prioritizes The Witcher 4, its new Boston studio is dedicated to Project Orion. Earlier this year, 84 of CD Projekt’s 707 staff were assigned to Orion, still in its conceptual stage. The game’s release is likely years away.

A new Cyberpunk animation project is also in development for Netflix, building on the success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077 is slated for release on Nintendo Switch 2.