CD Projekt's eagerly anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, codenamed Project Orion, remains shrouded in mystery, yet Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith has recently offered tantalizing glimpses into its development. Pondsmith, instrumental in the creation and promotion of the original game, which sold over 30 million copies, shared insights at the Digital Dragons 2025 conference about his involvement with Project Orion.

Although Pondsmith mentioned that his role in the sequel is less hands-on compared to the first game, he confirmed his ongoing engagement, particularly in reviewing scripts and visiting CD Projekt to assess the progress. During his visit, he interacted with various departments, providing feedback on new elements like cyberware.

The most intriguing detail Pondsmith revealed is the introduction of a new city in Project Orion, in addition to the familiar Night City from Cyberpunk 2077. He described this new urban setting as reminiscent of "Chicago gone wrong," suggesting a dystopian atmosphere distinct from the Blade Runner-esque feel of Night City. This new city, while not necessarily a future version of Chicago, embodies a similar dark, gritty vibe.

Speculation abounds regarding whether Project Orion will expand on the existing Night City or introduce a new iteration, and to what degree both cities will be playable. While much remains uncertain, it appears that the sequel might feature two fully realized, explorable cities.

Every CD Projekt Red Game In Development

View 8 ImagesCurrently, CD Projekt's primary focus is on The Witcher 4, but they have established a new studio in Boston dedicated to Project Orion. Earlier this year, it was reported that 84 out of CD Projekt's 707 employees are working on Project Orion, which is still in its conceptual stage. Given this, fans should not anticipate the game's release in the near future.

In addition to Project Orion, CD Projekt is expanding the Cyberpunk universe through a new animation project on Netflix, following the success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. In the shorter term, Cyberpunk 2077 is slated to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2.