Cyberpunk 2 Officially Enters Pre-Production – What We Know So Far

 

Cyberpunk 2 Officially Enters Pre-Production

Cyberpunk 2 Officially Enters Pre-Production — The Future of Night City Begins

The neon lights of Night City may soon be glowing once more, as CD Projekt Red has officially confirmed that Cyberpunk 2, codenamed Project Orion, has entered pre-production. This major development follows years of speculation after the rocky but eventually redemptive journey of Cyberpunk 2077.

The announcement was made during CDPR’s investor call on June 13, 2025, where the studio confirmed that the core concept and research phase is now complete, and development has shifted gears.

Let’s break down what this means for fans and what we can expect from the next chapter in the Cyberpunk universe.

🎮 What Is Cyberpunk 2 (Project Orion)?

Cyberpunk 2, currently known by its internal codename Project Orion, is the official sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. While details remain tightly under wraps, the game is expected to:

  • Continue the Cyberpunk narrative universe

  • Introduce a brand-new city (not just Night City)

  • Push boundaries of RPG storytelling using CDPR’s new technologies

  • Be developed by CDPR’s new North American team, based in Boston and Vancouver

The shift to pre-production means that the game now has a clear creative vision, early designs, and a development roadmap. The team will now begin building assets, prototyping gameplay mechanics, and refining the story structure.

🧠 CDPR’s Vision for Cyberpunk 2

According to CD Projekt Red, their goal is to “unlock the full potential of the Cyberpunk IP.”

While Cyberpunk 2077 was criticized at launch for its bugs and cut features, it later evolved into a critically acclaimed RPG following major updates and the Phantom Liberty expansion. CDPR has learned from that experience and aims to deliver a sequel that surpasses expectations from day one.

Studio CEO Adam Kiciński emphasized that Cyberpunk 2 will:

  • Feature deeper player agency

  • Offer richer open-world interactions

  • Be developed using Unreal Engine 5 (a switch from REDengine)

🏙️ Will Cyberpunk 2 Be Set in Night City?

No official confirmation yet, but rumors strongly suggest that Cyberpunk 2 will be set in a second city, possibly across the Atlantic. Speculation points to cities like:

  • Chicago – where CDPR has opened part of its North American studio

  • London or Tokyo – as potential candidates for a fresh international vibe

  • A dual-city narrative involving both Night City and a new metroplex

This shift would add diversity to world-building and give players a new cultural and aesthetic cyberpunk flavor.

🛠️ Pre-Production: What’s Happening Now?

In the pre-production phase, developers are:

  • Building core gameplay systems

  • Writing early narrative arcs and quests

  • Designing environments and characters

  • Testing combat mechanics, hacking systems, and branching dialogues

  • Creating concept art and early visual builds in Unreal Engine 5

This phase typically lasts 12 to 18 months, after which full production begins.

🌐 Development Team & Locations

Project Orion is being led by CD Projekt Red North America, a team built specifically for the game. It includes veterans from Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty, and is supported by:

  • CDPR Vancouver

  • CDPR Boston

  • CDPR Warsaw (core technologies and global support)

This marks the studio’s most ambitious international collaboration yet.

🕒 When Can We Expect a Release?

Let’s be realistic: Cyberpunk 2 is still years away.
Given that pre-production has just started in mid-2025, full production will likely begin in late 2026, with an estimated release window of 2028 or later.

But with CDPR prioritizing quality and avoiding past mistakes, the wait might just be worth it.

📺 Will There Be a Cyberpunk Anime Tie-In?

With the massive success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, fans are hopeful for another anime or animated series tie-in. While nothing is confirmed, CDPR has hinted that more transmedia content is planned around the sequel to expand the Cyberpunk universe.

🎉 Final Thoughts – A New Dawn for Cyberpunk

Cyberpunk 2077 proved that redemption arcs in gaming are possible—and Cyberpunk 2 could be the moment CDPR fully reclaims its throne in the RPG space. With new tech, new locations, and a fresh team, Project Orion may represent the true vision of what Cyberpunk can be.

GameMorale will be tracking every major update on this highly anticipated title, so bookmark this page and follow us for the latest Cyberpunk news.

Comments

Post a Comment