Cyberpunk 2077: Enters Pre-Production as CD Projekt Drops ‘Project Orion’ Codename

Cyberpunk 2077: CD Projekt has officially announced that the sequel to its blockbuster game Cyberpunk 2077 has entered pre-production, moving beyond its earlier codename, Project Orion.

Now referred to as Cyberpunk 2, the next chapter in the Cyberpunk universe is being developed at CD Projekt Red’s North America studio in Boston. While “Cyberpunk 2” is not confirmed as the final title, the studio says the new name reflects the game’s position as the next major installment in the franchise.

From Concept to Pre-Production

The news was confirmed during CD Projekt’s Q1 2025 earnings call, where the company stated that the conceptual phase had been completed several weeks ago. The game now officially moves into pre-production, marking a key milestone in its development journey.

CD Projekt Red also confirmed that the development team for Cyberpunk 2 has expanded, growing from 84 members in February 2025 to 96 by the end of April. While the game is still several years away from release, this update reassures fans that progress is underway.

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A New City to Explore: “Chicago Gone Wrong”

In a recent interview, Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith teased an exciting addition: a second city alongside Night City. Described as “Chicago gone wrong,” the new setting suggests a darker, more complex urban environment that will complement the gritty dystopia of the original game.

This revelation has only added to fan excitement, as the original Cyberpunk 2077 was praised for its immersive world-building.

CD Projekt’s Expanding Portfolio

Though Cyberpunk 2 is moving forward, CD Projekt is managing multiple high-profile projects:

The Witcher 4, which entered full-scale production in late 2024, currently employs 422 developers.

Project Sirius, a multiplayer Witcher spin-off, has 48 developers assigned.

Project Hadar, a mysterious new IP, is being developed by a team of 19.

Despite the heavy workload, the studio’s flagship franchises remain the priority, and Cyberpunk 2 is set to be one of its most ambitious efforts yet.

Phantom Liberty and Sales Success

In the same earnings report, CD Projekt revealed that the Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077 has sold over 10 million copies, a major success for the franchise. The studio also announced that a Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition will release on the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, expanding the game’s reach to new platforms.

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Meanwhile, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt celebrated its 10th anniversary this May and surpassed 60 million copies sold, making it one of the best-selling video games in history.

Financials and Forward Momentum

CD Projekt reported strong financials in Q1 2025:

  • PLN 226 million (~$56 million USD) in consolidated revenue
  • PLN 86 million (~$21 million USD) in net profit

These numbers reflect not only the continued success of legacy titles but also strong anticipation for upcoming projects like Cyberpunk 2.

What’s Next?

With Cyberpunk 2 now officially in pre-production, fans can expect more details to emerge over the next year.

While a release date remains years away, the introduction of a new city, expanding development team, and evolving storylines promise a rich future for the Cyberpunk franchise.

Stay tuned for more updates as CD Projekt gears up for its next major gaming milestone.

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