Cyberpunk 2077 Multiplayer May Be Canceled Or Delayed

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Cyberpunk 2077 has been in an unfortunate cycle of bad news for the last few months and even though it looks like it's finally sorting itself out, there is yet another bombshell. CD Projekt Red has confirmed that it is reconsidering Cyberpunk 2077's online mode, possibly alluding to a cancelation or major delay of the project.

Despite initial beliefs that it would be a post-launch update akin to GTA Online, Cyberpunk 2077's multiplayer is a full game. It's not clear when it was meant to release, prior to the original game's catastrophic launch, but it's expected to be a sizable AAA project. CD Projekt Red has yet to actually give any details as to what the game would entail, but it sounds like it would require a lot more effort than some may have imagined previously. Whether or not it actually releases now is a total mystery.

During a strategy update, CD Projekt Red announced a number of changes for the company going forward (via IGN). After taking several months to reflect on the poor development and launch of Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red noted it would reveal games closer to launch as opposed to hyping the game up years in advance. The studio also noted that it would be reconsidering the multiplayer spin-off for Cyberpunk 2077. "Previously we hinted that our next AAA would be a multiplayer Cyberpunk game, but we have decided to reconsider this plan given our new more systemic and agile approach instead of primarily focusing on one big online experience or game we are focusing on bringing online into all of our franchises one day," said CDPR President Adam Kiciński.

CD Projekt Red is still making efforts to develop online technology for future games, but it's still remaining rather cryptic as to the state of the multiplayer for Cyberpunk 2077. The studio has its plate full for the foreseeable future as it will develop Cyberpunk and The Witcher titles simultaneously starting in 2022 and will likely be spending 2021 continuing to patch 2077, as well as finishing and releasing the already-promised DLCs.

Given that the online mode for Cyberpunk 2077 was being worked on in conjunction with the main game, it would likely be hard to justify throwing away all of that time and money. Whether or not CD Projekt Red is reworking it to address feedback from the main game or to possibly allow distance from the disastrous launch is unknown, but it seems that the company is committed to doing something online-related going forward.