"Project Orion: Night City and a Chicago-Inspired Metropolis Teased by Mike Pondsmith"

CD Projekt's highly anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, codenamed Project Orion, remains shrouded in mystery, but Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith has recently shared intriguing new details. Pondsmith, who collaborated closely with CD Projekt on the blockbuster Cyberpunk 2077 and was instrumental in its promotion before the 2020 release, spoke about his role in Project Orion at the Digital Dragons 2025 conference.

Pondsmith revealed that while his involvement in the sequel is less extensive than before, he continues to review scripts and has visited CD Projekt's offices to assess the project's progress. During one of his recent visits, he engaged with various departments and offered feedback on new cyberware, indicating his ongoing influence on the game's development.

The most tantalizing detail Pondsmith disclosed is that Project Orion will feature a brand new city alongside the familiar Night City from Cyberpunk 2077. He described this new city as reminiscent of "Chicago gone wrong," suggesting a unique, dystopian atmosphere distinct from the Blade Runner-esque feel of Night City. Pondsmith's comments sparked speculation about whether the sequel might introduce a future version of Chicago or simply a city with a similar vibe, though nothing is confirmed yet.

There's ongoing debate about how Project Orion will handle Night City—whether it will expand upon the existing city or introduce a new version entirely. The possibility of two fully playable cities has stirred excitement and curiosity among fans, although many details remain under wraps.

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 Project Orion. Earlier this year, CD Projekt disclosed that 84 out of their 707 employees are working on Project Orion, which is still in its conceptual stage. Given its early development phase, significant changes are expected, and fans shouldn't anticipate the game's release in the near future.

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