Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red has confirmed that while multiplayer may release in the future, they have not yet even begun working on the mode and are instead 100% devoted to preparing the single-player experience for launch.
Lead quest designer Paweł Sasko recently sat down for an interview with Tom Phillips at Euro Gamer to discuss that and other burning questions in the development of the game. While there were some great presentations at E3, Cyberpunk 2077 may have been the most notable of all with an engaging new trailer, and the surprise inclusion of Keanu Reeves both in the game and one of the most wholesome presenters to likely ever appear at the event.
As for the future of multiplayer, it seems as though Sasko was keeping his cards close to the chest, but this may also genuinely be due to a lack of information on the subject. When asked if the game could take on a similar feel to the successful Grand Theft Auto Online, he replied that only some discussion had occurred at the studio, but nothing was being worked on at the moment. However, it is hard to believe that nothing is in the works.
In 2017, CEO Adam Kiciński told Tech Raptor that “Online is necessary, or very recommended if you wish to achieve a long-term success. At some point, we have mentioned that there will be a certain online element related to Cyberpunk.”
While Sasko was tight lipped about multiplayer gameplay, we wonder what an online component would look like. For now, the biggest challenge is not knowing exactly what the single player experience is going to be like. With both Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 for example, the single player game had been out long enough for players to have a sense of exactly what the world could offer in an online sense.
In Cyberpunk 2077, we assume that there will be similar assets like a broad range of vehicles and weapons, but past that, we are left guessing. If the game goes the way of GTAV, perhaps our players will work towards growing their fortunes and power in the city through the criminal underworlds of the future. If it goes the way of Red Dead Redemption 2, we may see a wider range of playstyles, where some may wish to focus on the nefarious parts of the game, while others may be more inclined to a more peaceful existence.
Another important piece of information was the confirmation that Keanu’s character, named Johnny Silverhand, is not simply a short cameo appearance by the actor. Instead, he plays an important role and is in the game from “almost the beginning to the very, very end. He’s one of the core arcs of the story.”
We look forward to cyber-Keanu, especially if he lives long enough to join us in multiplayer, whenever that actually launches.
Cyberpunk 2077 will release on April 16, 2020 on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.
