The neon-lit streets of Night City may soon have competition. At the recent Digital Dragons conference, Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith dropped a tantalizing hint that the next installment in the Cyberpunk gaming saga-currently codenamed Project Orion-could take us to the war-torn, chemically scarred streets of Chicago. While CD Projekt Red remains officially silent, this revelation has set the community abuzz with speculation about the sequel’s direction.
Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel: Project Orion Could Add Chicago as a Major Setting
- Key Takeaways
- Cyberpunk 2077’s sequel, known as Project Orion, may feature Chicago as a new city alongside Night City.
- The rumor comes from Mike Pondsmith, creator of the original Cyberpunk tabletop RPG, during a public appearance.
- CD Projekt Red has not confirmed any story or setting details; all information remains speculative for now.
- Project Orion is still early in development, as CD Projekt Red also works on The Witcher IV.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | CD Projekt Red |
| Release Date | TBA |
| Genres | Action RPG, Sci-fi, Open World |
| Platforms | TBA |
The original Cyberpunk 2077 had a rocky launch back in 2020, marred by bugs but ultimately winning over many fans with its deep, gritty world and narrative ambition. Its long-awaited sequel, first announced in 2022 as Project Orion, has been tightly under wraps-until now. Speaking on Polish YouTube channel TVGRY, Mike Pondsmith, whose tabletop RPG inspired the franchise, let slip that he’d spent “a lot of time talking to one of the environmental leads” on the game. According to Pondsmith, not only will Night City return, but players should prepare to explore a new metropolis: Chicago.
While this isn’t an official confirmation—Pondsmith clarified he’s less directly involved with Project Orion than he was with Cyberpunk 2077—the details are tantalizing. In lore, Chicago is a city that’s seen better days: it’s referenced in Cyberpunk 2077 as having suffered economic collapse, megacorporate warfare, and a devastating chemical attack. “I remember looking at [the new location] and thinking, ‘Yeah, I get the vibe… this really works. It feels like a Chicago gone bad,’” Pondsmith remarked.
For fans, this is more than idle chatter. Chicago’s troubled history fits neatly with the franchise’s dystopian themes, promising new narrative and exploration opportunities. Night City’s return means continuity, but Chicago could offer a stark, fresh contrast: perhaps harsher, more desperate, or shaped by different factions and power struggles. It’s a move that echoes broadening scope seen in other RPG sequels, like the expansion from Novigrad to multiple continents in The Witcher 3.
Still, it’s wise to temper excitement. CD Projekt Red’s primary focus is currently The Witcher IV, and Project Orion is likely years away from release. With no official screenshots, footage, or even platform confirmations, everything beyond Pondsmith’s comments remains speculative. But if true, the addition of Chicago could mark a dramatic evolution for the Cyberpunk universe, potentially redefining its open-world formula and narrative possibilities.
As the wait for substantial news continues, fans can only imagine what a dystopian Chicago might offer: new gangs, emergent threats, and perhaps a second chance for the franchise to surprise us all.
TL;DR
Mike Pondsmith, creator of the original Cyberpunk RPG, revealed that the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 (Project Orion) may feature Night City and a new playable city—Chicago. While CD Projekt Red hasn’t confirmed this, the rumor hints at a dramatic expansion for the franchise, though the game remains years away.
Source: CD Projekt Red via GamesPress
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