After Cyberpunk 2077’s rocky launch, the path forward for CD Projekt RED focused on rebuilding trust and delivering meaningful content to players
Cyberpunk 2077 released amid high expectations, and the initial reception exposed several issues that affected player experience. Over time, the development team addressed many of the problems, and conversations around the game shifted toward improvement and accountability. In a candid interview with GamesIndustry, the company’s vice president of public relations discussed the launch, lessons learned, and what fans could expect from the studio in the months ahead.
The executive reflected on the pre-release hype as the most vibrant period of the studio’s history, noting that pressure grew substantially after the game’s unveiling, which he described as a turning point. The period before the hype felt like a golden era with strong, positive engagement between the team and its audience, and a prior sense of cohesion within CD Projekt RED that made the later challenges even more painful.
I was dissatisfied with how things went. I didn’t expect this, but I immediately realized that we have to give back the confidence of the players. I loved the place we were, and I’m talking about the time before all the hype. We had our audience, we liked it, they liked us, and CD Projekt RED was a great place to work.
The leadership emphasized a renewed commitment to earning back player trust, with upcoming content expected to serve as a catalyst for that effort. The focus on rebuilding relationships with the community remained a central theme during discussions about the company’s next steps.
The time after release was tough, but I knew those people were still there. They’re still the same gamers… we just need to fix our relationship. The only thing in our power is just to show what we are capable of. I have a feeling it will happen soon. I hope this will be a new beginning for all of us.
In conjunction with these reflections, the executive highlighted the significance of post-launch content, especially expansions that go beyond small add-ons. The discussion underscored a broader strategy for sustained engagement through substantial new experiences that deepen the game world and its storytelling.
The addition, which included involvement from a high-profile actor, was noted as a key part of this strategy. The studio stressed that DLC should be carefully balanced—neither overly small nor merely cosmetic, but delivering real value to players who invest time in the title. The approach favors free DLC that adds meaningful content alongside larger expansions with price points that reflect substantial, well-developed experiences.
From the studio’s perspective, the expansion could be a major milestone, signaling a return to form. With the base game having featured a prominent actor, the emphasis was on introducing another major cast member to enrich the narrative and expand available content. This would demonstrate that the project is far more than a single side mission, representing a substantial investment in the game’s ongoing life and its community.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty releases September 26 for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5.
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Source: VG Times