"Project Orion: Night City and a 'Chicago Gone Wrong' Teased by Mike Pondsmith"

CD Projekt's Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, codenamed Project Orion, remains a closely guarded secret, but Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith has recently shared some intriguing details. Pondsmith, who collaborated extensively with CD Projekt on the 30 million-selling Cyberpunk 2077 and played a key role in its promotion before the 2020 launch, discussed his involvement with Project Orion at the Digital Dragons 2025 conference.

Pondsmith revealed that his role in the sequel is less hands-on than before, but he still reviews scripts and has visited CD Projekt to monitor the project's progress. During a recent visit, he toured various departments and provided feedback on new elements, such as cyberware, affirming their suitability for the game.

The most tantalizing detail Pondsmith shared is that Project Orion will feature a brand new city alongside the familiar Night City from Cyberpunk 2077. He described this new locale as reminiscent of "Chicago gone wrong," suggesting a dystopian atmosphere distinct from the Blade Runner-esque feel of Night City. While this doesn't confirm a setting in a future Chicago, it hints at a city with a similar gritty and chaotic vibe.

There is ongoing speculation about whether the sequel will expand on the existing Night City or introduce a new version, and how extensive the new city will be. It appears that Project Orion might include two fully playable cities, adding significant depth to the game's world.

Every CD Projekt Red Game In Development

View 8 ImagesWhile CD Projekt's primary focus is currently on The Witcher 4, they have established a new studio in Boston specifically for Project Orion. Earlier this year, CD Projekt disclosed that 84 out of their 707 employees are dedicated to Project Orion, which is still in the concept phase. Given this stage of development, significant changes are expected, and the game is not anticipated to launch for some time.

In addition to Project Orion, CD Projekt is working on a new Cyberpunk animation project for Netflix following the success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. In the near future, Cyberpunk 2077 is slated for release on the Nintendo Switch 2, expanding its reach to a broader audience.