Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel Set in Dystopian Chicago

The sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 will introduce a new urban environment, described as a dark take on Chicago, alongside the iconic Night City. Continue reading to discover more about this fresh location and the latest details regarding the game's upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 version.

Latest News on Cyberpunk 2 and the Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 Port

Multiple Cities Confirmed

The sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, currently known by its codename Project Orion, is set to broaden the game's universe by introducing a new major location in addition to Night City. Mike Pondsmith, the founder of R. Talsorian Games and a key designer involved with the franchise, shared new insights during the Digital Dragons 2025 event on May 20th.

Although Pondsmith's direct involvement in the new project is less extensive than it was with the original game, he confirmed he is actively monitoring its progress. He remarked, "I regularly review the scripts. Just last week, I was visiting various development teams to see their latest work, such as new Cyberware designs, and providing my feedback."

He also confirmed that development is underway on a second city to complement Night City. Pondsmith revealed, "After seeing the initial concepts, I told them, 'I get the atmosphere you're aiming for, and it works well. It doesn't have a Blade Runner vibe; it feels more like a dystopian version of Chicago.' I agreed that the direction was promising."

In related news, CD Projekt Red (CDPR) published several new job openings for Cyberpunk 2 earlier this year. One notable position is for a Lead Encounter Designer, who will be tasked to "develop and implement engaging gameplay scenarios that deliver thrilling and memorable experiences for our players."

Significantly, this role appears to be focused on an innovative feature for the gaming industry. A key responsibility involves "close collaboration with the systems design team to build the most lifelike and responsive crowd system ever seen in a video game."

While specific details on Project Orion remain scarce, the comments from Pondsmith and CDPR's active recruitment for the project suggest that Cyberpunk 2 aims to enhance the exceptional world-building and complex narrative of its predecessor.

Fresh Gameplay for Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2

In other updates, CDPR has unveiled new footage of the Cyberpunk 2077 port for the Nintendo Switch 2, demonstrating the studio's efforts to optimize the game for the new handheld system. The developer's official website now hosts several B-roll videos, totaling approximately 37 minutes, showing the game running on the Switch 2 hardware.

Earlier this year, during preview events for the Nintendo Switch 2 in New York and Paris, multiple sources reported that the Cyberpunk 2077 port experienced performance challenges, including noticeable frame rate dips. Business Insider noted that while "playing such a demanding title on the Switch 2 is an interesting technical feat, it is not the optimal way to experience Cyberpunk, citing frequent frame drops."

However, CDPR Engineer Tim Green expressed satisfaction with the port's progress in an April 25th discussion with Game File. He stated, "We haven't encountered significant memory constraints, and the fast storage hardware has helped resolve earlier data streaming issues. This has let us concentrate on refining other aspects of the game, and we are pleased with the outcomes."

The Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is scheduled for release on the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. This version includes the complete base game, all post-launch updates, and the highly-praised Phantom Liberty expansion. For the most current news and updates about the game, please refer to our article below.