Cyberpunk 2077: CDPR offers confusing update on multiplayer

CD Projekt Red has big plans for Cyberpunk 2077. Post-launch DLC, expansions, and, of course, the multiplayer component.

Unfortunately, a colossal failure of a launch forced the studio to shift its focus and put a lot of its plans on the backburner. In their 2021 roadmap for Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red notes “patches and updates,” “free DLCs” and the “next-gen update” as things players can look forward to.

Noticeably absent was any mention of the game’s multiplayer. In a call to investors, CDPR president Adam Kiciński offered a vague update on the multiplayer:

"“Previously we hinted that our next AAA would be a multiplayer Cyberpunk game, but we have decided to reconsider this plan given our new more systemic and agile approach instead of primarily focusing on one big online experience or game we are focusing on bringing online into all of our franchises one day”"

The new systemic and agile approach to development that Kiciński is referring to is a streamlined development process in which the studio can work on multiple AAA games and expansions in parallel starting in 2022.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t really clarify what’s going on with Cyberpunk 2077’s multiplayer. I’m not even really sure what it means to bring online play into all of their franchises, to be honest.

For what it’s worth, Kiciński previously referred to Cyberpunk 2077’s multiplayer as a “separate dedicated production, a big production.” He previously explained that they are approaching it as a “standalone production,” independent from the single-player.

Kiciński previously estimated that Cyberpunk 2077’s multiplayer wouldn’t launch until Q1 2021. Of course, that was before the renewed focus on bug-fixing and revamped studio production process. Even if everything had gone smoothly with Cyberpunk 2077’s launch, the chance of the game’s multiplayer component releasing this year was slim anyway.

Kiciński did offer some more insight into what CDPR is planning for multiplayer:

"“We are building an online technology that can be seamlessly integrated into development of our future games. This technology will power online components we choose to introduce in our games, and will ensure we can do so without any great technological debt. With this technology in place, we can start to grow an online community — powered by our own GOG GALAXY platform — which connects gamers both inside and outside of our games.”"