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

CD Projekt's Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, codenamed Project Orion, remains a closely guarded secret. However, Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith has recently teased some intriguing new details about the project. Pondsmith, who collaborated closely with CD Projekt on the original Cyberpunk 2077 and was instrumental in promoting the game before its 2020 launch, discussed his involvement with Project Orion at the Digital Dragons 2025 conference.

Pondsmith revealed that while he isn't as deeply involved this time, he still reviews scripts and has visited CD Projekt to see the ongoing work firsthand. He shared an anecdote about his recent visit, where he was shown new cyberware and engaged with different departments, offering his insights and feedback.

The most tantalizing detail Pondsmith shared about Project Orion is the introduction of a brand new city, in addition to the familiar Night City from Cyberpunk 2077. He described this new city as "like Chicago gone wrong." During his visit, Pondsmith spoke with an environment designer who explained the new setting, emphasizing that while Night City remains a part of the game, this new city offers a distinct feel, more akin to a dystopian version of Chicago than the Blade Runner-inspired aesthetic of Night City.

It's important to clarify that Pondsmith's comments suggest a city with the atmosphere of a dystopian Chicago rather than confirming that the sequel will be set in a future version of the actual city. This has sparked discussions about whether Project Orion will expand on the existing Night City or introduce a new version, and how much of the game will be playable in these settings. The possibility of two fully realized cities in the sequel adds an exciting layer to what fans can expect.

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 dedicated to working on Project Orion. Earlier this year, CD Projekt reported that 84 out of their 707 staff members are currently assigned to Project Orion, which is still in its conceptual phase. Given its early stage, significant changes are likely, and fans should not expect the game to be released anytime soon.

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