Summary
- Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, Project Orion, is in development at CD Projekt Red’s Boston studio.
- Mike Pondsmith hints at a new city inspired by a “Chicago gone wrong” vibe.
- Night City is still present, but the focus may shift to a fresh urban location.
Project Orion May Introduce a New Urban Setting
While CD Projekt Red continues work on Project Orion, the direct sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, a new detail has sparked curiosity among fans. In a recent interview during the Digital Dragons Conference, Mike Pondsmith—the creator of the original Cyberpunk tabletop universe—revealed that the sequel will take players to a brand-new city.
According to Pondsmith, although Night City will still be part of the game, the new location features a “Chicago gone wrong” kind of vibe. That small comment suggests a darker, dystopian Midwestern-style city—very different from the sun-soaked chaos of Night City.
New Direction but Same Universe in Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel
Pondsmith’s role in Project Orion is said to be smaller than it was in Cyberpunk 2077, but he still offers insight to the teams working on the title. He was surprised the new city detail even came out during the interview, indicating this was not part of any official marketing plan yet.
While the mention is brief, it’s enough to excite long-time fans eager for new environments to explore. After years spent roaming Night City, a shift in setting could offer fresh narrative angles and gameplay experiences that deepen the Cyberpunk universe.
Still Early in Development
The Cyberpunk 2077 sequel is being developed by CDPR’s new Boston studio, but there’s still no release window. Given that Cyberpunk 2077 launched in a buggy state and took years to polish, the developers are likely prioritizing quality this time around. That means fans may have to wait several more years before getting their hands on the sequel.
Still, small clues like job listings hint at features such as wildlife, and now this urban setting reveal adds even more intrigue to what’s coming next.
Cyberpunk Expands to Switch 2
In the meantime, Cyberpunk 2077 is getting a second life. It’s one of the launch titles for the Nintendo Switch 2, which arrives June 5. CDPR confirmed the physical cartridge will include the full game and its Phantom Liberty DLC, giving new players a complete portable experience.
It’s a smart move for the studio, as Switch 2 is expected to sell millions of units quickly. The added visibility could bring fresh attention to the franchise ahead of the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel’s release.
