Mentioned several times by CD Projekt RED, the multiplayer mode on Cyberpunk 2077 ultimately will never be necessary.
In the context of an interview with our colleagues at EurogamerPhilip Weber, chief designer of the quests and coordinator on the game, has indeed confided in the reasons behind the abandonment of this project.
A disappointing launch in more ways than one
Remember, the very first announcement of Cyberpunk 2077 by CD Projekt RED dates back to 2012. At that time already, the Polish studio had no lack of ambition for its new franchise going off the paths of The Witcher. A multiplayer mode had even been mentioned.
The years go by, wild ambitions are scaled back, development gets bogged down and postponements fall repeatedly. December 2020 arrives, and the shower is cold both for many players and for the studio. The launch of Cyberpunk 2077 caused a lot of ink and tears to flow.
While the developers are in a rush to fix bugs galore and add features promised but not yet in the game, a small team is working on a multiplayer experience independent of the single player mode. Months pass, and the studio is always more discreet about it.
Finally, without making waves, according to Philip Weber, CD Projekt RED chose to let the project die slowly. ” The priority for us was that the main experience be pleasant and in a very good condition “. A pious wish that at the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 was diametrically opposed to user experience. The multiplayer mode, still in a very embryonic state, has therefore been shelved, the priority being elsewhere, in particular with the extension Phantom Liberty coming.
Better luck next time?
If a multiplayer mode on Cyberpunk 2077 will never see the light of day, the Polish studio has not completely abandoned the idea. Philip Weber points out that their DNA is based above all on AAA RPGs, with a strong story and writing as a central point, and CD Projekt RED is working on technologies to incorporate a multiplayer experience.
We know that the studio has many projects in the pipeline to develop its licenses. The Witcher and cyberpunk. As part of these many announcements has also been mentioned the desire to integrate a multiplayer component.
Asked about this point, Philip Weber clarified that the team is working on a way to integrate such a mode without impacting the development of the single player mode, a part considered essential. The idea would therefore be to implement a multiplayer experience in a coherent way and complementing the solo part of the studio’s next productions.
With the abandonment of the wayward RED Engine in favor of the Unreal Engine 5, perhaps the studio will have better tools to realize its grand ambitions. Does this mean that we will be entitled to a kind of GTA Where Red Dead Online in the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 Where The Witcher 4 ? Answer probably not before… 2077?
Source : Eurogamer
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