Your cyberpunk dreams just got an upgrade. CD Projekt Red’s Project Orion isn’t content with just polishing Night City’s neon-soaked streets—they’re building an entirely new urban hellscape for you to explore. Mike Pondsmith, the tabletop legend who created the Cyberpunk universe, dropped intel at Digital Dragons 2025 about a second city that feels like “Chicago gone wrong.”
While taking a backseat role compared to the original game, Pondsmith still reviews scripts and checks out cyberware designs. The environmental design team showed him their second city, and his reaction was telling: “It doesn’t feel like Blade Runner, it feels more like Chicago gone wrong.”
Beyond the Neon: A Grittier Urban Experience
That’s not corporate speak—that’s a fundamental shift in atmosphere. Night City gave you that slick, tech-noir fantasy with towering megabuildings and holographic advertisements. This new location sounds rawer, more industrial. Think less glossy corporate dystopia, more rust-belt apocalypse.
You won’t just be getting Night City 2.0 with different street names. This feels like they’re building distinct cultures, economies, and social structures for each location. It’s giving main character energy to both cities instead of one being the obvious DLC afterthought.
After Cyberpunk 2077’s rocky launch and eventual redemption arc, CD Projekt needs to prove they can deliver something genuinely ambitious without breaking your console. The timing makes sense for this expanded scope.
The Reality Check
Here’s where expectations meet development schedules. Only 84 people out of CD Projekt’s 707-person team are working on Orion right now. The Witcher 4 is sucking up most resources, which means you’re waiting years, not months.
Project Orion is still in concept development. Fundamental design decisions are still being made. Your patience will be tested, but they’re taking time instead of rushing another disaster launch.
The Nintendo Switch 2 port dropping alongside the new console shows CD Projekt is thinking strategically about platform reach. Smart move—get the franchise in front of more players while the sequel cooks.
What This Actually Means for You
Two cities means more variety in your gameplay experience. Different environments should translate to different mission types, story branches, and cultural dynamics. You’re getting different content, not just more content.
The “Chicago gone wrong” description hints at economic collapse themes that could make compelling storytelling. Real-world urban decay through a cyberpunk lens has serious narrative potential if executed right.
Your biggest question should be whether CD Projekt can manage the scope without compromising quality. Building one convincing futuristic city is hard enough. Two distinct locations with their own identities? That’s exponentially more complex.
