Cyberpunk 2077: A Look into its Development Timeline
The development of Cyberpunk 2077 was a mix of delays and rushed decisions, leaving fans wondering how long it actually took to create the game. Let’s dive into the timeline.
Development Begin and Teaser
Cyberpunk 2077 development officially began in 2016, contrary to rumors of a decade-long development period. However, it was first teased in early 2013 through a CGI trailer, even before the release of CD Projekt Red’s famous game, The Witcher 3.
This teaser was mainly used to attract investors and generate interest, as CDPR was not yet the AAA powerhouse it is today.
The Witcher 3 and Full Development
The success of The Witcher 3 gave CD Projekt Red the resources needed to fully dive into Cyberpunk 2077’s development right after the release of The Witcher 3’s final expansion, Blood and Wine, in 2016.
As the years went by, it became apparent that the game’s ambitious scale and detail would require more time. CDPR faced pressure from investors and worked tirelessly to meet expectations. Finally, after four years of active development, Cyberpunk 2077 was launched in 2020.
Post-launch Support and Future Plans
Even after the initial launch, CD Projekt Red continued to support the game with bug fixes, re-implemented features, and a twenty-hour expansion. This extended the development timeline by an additional three years, resulting in a total of seven years.
Update 2.0 marked the final update for the game, and Cyberpunk 2077 is now considered complete. While it may not have lived up to the futuristic promises of its marketing campaign, it still offers an engaging and immersive RPG experience.
Interestingly, a sequel with the codename Project Orion is already confirmed to be in development. With a streamlined engine and a completed Night City map, we might see Orion in less than seven years.
In the end, the development of Cyberpunk 2077 teaches us that patience is indeed a virtue.