The life cycle ofCyberpunk 2077has always been an interesting one, and just like V, it refuses to die. That’s not a bad thing, as many fans are eagerly awaiting therelease date ofCyberpunk 2077’s 2.3 update, but its extended end-of-life oddly brings it full circle with its start-of-life (or initial release date, to drop the analogy). There is some fun irony in the action RPG’s consistent issuance of “one last patch.”
Cyberpunk 2077’s New Crown: One Last Patch…
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Libertycame alongside Patch 2.0, completing the game’s overall redemption arc. IfCyberpunk 2077had initially released in the state it was with Patch 2.0, then it wouldn’t have needed a redemption arc, and this story would have come to a close much, much sooner. There’s no changing history, but many fans were not satisfied with 2.0 andPhantom Liberty. They knew there would likely be minor bug fixes and the like, but the years of game-improving patches were thought to have come to an end.
CDPR wasn’t satisfied with that, it seems, wanting to bring out everyviable feature inCyberpunk 2077it could and the best out of what it already had. Just a few months after 2.0 came the 2.1 update, adding plenty of features, official versions of beloved mods, and a slate of things for players to sink their teeth into. Patch 2.1 was announced as the last major patch forCyberpunk 2077, but a year later came Patch 2.2, once again proving how dedicated CDPR was toCyberpunk 2077. This continued cycle of “one last patch” is genuinely exciting to see and beckons back to the consumer-friendly post-launch support ofThe Witcher 3.
Patch 2.2, of course, seemed like the last sendoff. Patch 2.1 was supposed to be the last one, after all, but then a little later, CDPR confirmed this wasn’t the case. It announcedCyberpunk 2077’s 2.3 update would release in June, being yet another patch for the game. 2.3 may have been recently delayed without a new release date, but the positivity CDPR has built up since release means there’s little to no hurt feelings over this delay. And while it will presumably bethe last patch forCyberpunk 2077, history has proven there’s no ruling out 2.4 down the road.
A New Crown to Replace the Old Cyberpunk 2077 One: The Delay King
Many longtimeCyberpunk 2077and CDPR fans no doubt remember the delay posts on Twitter, always accompanied by its iconic bright yellow that had, for a brief time period, become almost traumatic. At the very least, this type of messaging has become synonymous with delays, with several delays since then following a very similar style of coloring and messaging. It was memed to the point it became real, crowningCyberpunk 2077as the king of delays (if unofficially).
Cyberpunk 2077was first announced back in May 2012, with trailers releasing at various events like E3 in the years that followed. Its initial release date was announced at E3 2019: April 2020. It was then delayed not once, not twice, but thrice, to September, then to November, and then to December. Thedevelopment history ofCyberpunk 2077and these delays is already clear, discussing it would be like beating a dead horse, but it was perhaps the lowest point in CDPR’s history.
However, there’s a certain circular messaging here. CDPR delayed it three times before its release, which was so bad thatSony issued refunds forCyberpunk 2077. Now, CDPR has released or worked on three patches fans were certain would be the last ones: 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. The results are obviously very different, as the initial sequence led to its launch, but its series of “one last patch” has delivered the vision ofCyberpunk 2077fans foresaw years ago. Truth be told,Cyberpunk 2077was never going to be the genre-defining action RPG fans believed for years before its release, butCyberpunk 2077as it exists today is a prime example of great game design, continued support, and studio dedication.No Man’s Skymay still be the biggest redemption arc in gaming history, but truthfully,Cyberpunk 2077vies for that crown as well. From one more delay to one more patch,Cyberpunk 2077has become the game it was always meant to be.
Cyberpunk 2.4? What is CD Projekt Red Working On?
At some point,Cyberpunk 2077had to be released due to various real-world pressures and decisions. At some point,Cyberpunk 2077will have to release a real one last patch. Whether that’s 2.3 or CDPR goes back to bat for 2.4 remains to be seen, but with CDPR’s goodwill restored, there’s no doubt a lot of excitement about its next projects.
CDPR, earlier this year, confirmed that 422 developers are working onThe Witcher 4. 96 developers are working onCyberpunk 2. 48 developers are working on Project Sirius, and 19 developers are working onProject Hadar. 14 developers are working on shared services.
WhereCyberpunk 2077’s patches fit in this is hard to say, but excitement for these projects is no doubt high. Over the past few years, CDPR also opened another studio in Boston. Its growth is necessary for the continued development of these titles, but it seems clear that CDPR is all-in on its world and IPs. What’s next—The Witcher 4orCyberpunk 20772.4—remains to be seen, but the fact is: many are eagerly waiting to see what’s next.
From one more delay to one more patch,Cyberpunk 2077has become the game it was always meant to be
