From “one more delay” prior to its release to “one more patch” years after the fact,Cyberpunk 2077’s lifecycle has gone from a game in need of redemption to a game fans (including those at CDPR) can’t get enough of. The release ofPhantom Libertyfully realized the action RPG’s potential and restored goodwill, but that wasn’t enough for CDPR. The continued announcements ofmore patches forCyberpunk 2077, well after the previous one was thought to be the last, have gone over incredibly well. Not to mention, the reaction toCyberpunk 20772.3’s delay has been the polar opposite of its pre-release days. And that speaks to the future of CDPR and its projects.
There’s an alternate reality here to consider, too. In another world, CD Projekt Red abandonedCyberpunk 2077instead of realizing its potential. Many games launched to a weak reception but had the potential to become something better, but they were ultimately abandoned by their developer/publisher/fans for one reason or another. That could have happened toCyberpunk 2077, and no one would have been surprised given how its launch completely obliterated the consumer-friendly reputation that CDPR has built up over the years. In this reality,The Witcher 4would have been announced, and fans would still have been excited, of course. However,Cyberpunk 2077would have become a constant talking point for all the wrong reasons, casting a shadow overThe Witcher 4and CDPR for years to come.
Cyberpunk 2077 2.3 is More Than an Act of Goodwill, Though
Luckily, we live in a reality where CDPR did not abandonCyberpunk 2077. Its response was, for the most part, a heartening understanding of its own failures. Instead of abandoning the project, patch after patch brought it into a playable state. Patch after patch brought it into a good, if not great state. Patch after patch brought it into a great state, and thenCyberpunk 2077: Phantom Libertyelevated it to heights befitting of CDPR’s pedigree. Still, there’s another world where CDPR stopped here, but it released one more patch after one more patch in this world. The patches will eventually come to an end, but it’s this continued support beyond even reasonable expectations that has garnered so much excitement. That goodwill is palpable because delays are usually met with plenty of anger; instead,Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.3 delaywas mostly met with understanding.
Cyberpunk 2077could have cast a long shadow that haunted CDPR and every release for years to come. But this continued support has ensured the opposite has happened. There was always going to be hype forThe Witcher 4’s reveal, but it would have been quickly followed by doubt. Instead, fans are choosing to believe in CDPR and the consumer-friendly tactics it was once known for. The continued work onCyberpunk 2077is the same exact vibe asThe Witcher 3’s free DLCs, and that raises the goodwill of the fandom, raises the goodwill invested in CDPR, and raises the goodwill of its future games.
Of course, CDPR co-developed 2.2 and is co-developing 2.3 with Virtuos. However, that should not diminish either of their work, the investment, or the continued involvement of CDPR in the project.
Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.3 Goodwill Will Translate to Future Games
Fans can already see how this goodwill has flooded The Witcher 4. Ignoring the nonsensical complaints surroundingCiri’s protagonist role inThe Witcher 4, the game has been met with incredible excitement. There is no shadow lingering over it, nothing suggesting fans should be wary or cautious of anotherCyberpunk 2077launch. That’s not impossible because anything is possible in this industry, but the expectation or fear isn’t there. Goodwill and faith are. The same can be said ofCyberpunk 2077’s in-development sequel, which would specifically have the shadow of the original launch hovering over it; Project Sirius, which is a multiplayerWitchergame; and Project Hadar, which is a brand new original IP. It’s all good vibes.
The continued support ofCyberpunk 2077is the difference between a bad game turned good and a bad game putting in the work to truly realize its potential. Even then,Cyberpunk 2077has continued to go above and beyond what anyone hoped for after experiencing its launch.
