"Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel Unveils 'Chicago Gone Wrong' Setting"

Cyberpunk 2077’s upcoming sequel, codenamed *Project Orion*, will introduce an entirely new city to explore—described by Mike Pondsmith as a “Chicago gone wrong.” This setting will coexist with the iconic Night City, expanding the world in exciting and immersive ways. Alongside this news, CD Projekt Red (CDPR) has also shared updates regarding the highly anticipated *Cyberpunk 2077* Switch 2 port, giving fans even more to look forward to.

A Sequel Expanding Across Multiple Cities

During Digital Dragons 2025 on May 20, Mike Pondsmith provided a glimpse into the future of the Cyberpunk universe. While not as hands-on as he was during the development of *Cyberpunk 2077*, Pondsmith remains engaged, reviewing scripts and offering feedback on new cyberware designs and gameplay elements.

One of the most intriguing reveals was the inclusion of a second major city alongside Night City. When asked about its design direction, Pondsmith remarked that it felt less like *Blade Runner* and more like a dystopian version of Chicago—a place where urban sprawl meets social decay. He confirmed that the concept resonated well: “I can see this working.”

CDPR Hiring for Next-Gen Game Development

In early 2025, CDPR began posting job listings for *Project Orion*, signaling active development on the sequel. One notable listing is for a Lead Encounter Designer, whose role includes crafting engaging gameplay moments that push the boundaries of player immersion.

This position emphasizes innovation, particularly in crowd system development, aiming to deliver "the most realistic and reactive crowd system in any game to date." While details remain scarce, the hiring spree and Pondsmith’s insights suggest that *Cyberpunk 2* will build upon the rich lore, deep storytelling, and expansive world-building that made its predecessor a modern classic.

New Look at Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2

Alongside news about the sequel, CDPR released new footage showcasing the optimization progress of *Cyberpunk 2077* on Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 console. The developer shared several B-roll videos totaling around 37 minutes of gameplay footage, offering a deeper look into how the game performs on the hybrid platform.

Earlier reports from Nintendo’s showcase events in New York and Paris highlighted performance issues such as frame drops, with some critics calling it more of a novelty than a polished experience. However, CDPR Engineer Tim Green expressed optimism in a recent interview with Game File on April 25, stating that memory constraints were less of a challenge than expected, thanks to improved storage speeds.

"We haven’t had to fight with fitting into memory, and the speed of the data storage has helped alleviate some of those early streaming problems. This has allowed us to focus our attention on improving other things, and we’re very happy with the result."

Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition Coming to Switch 2

The *Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition* is scheduled to launch on Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. This edition bundles the full base game, all post-launch updates, and the acclaimed *Phantom Liberty* expansion, making it the most complete version of the game to date.

As both *Project Orion* and the Switch 2 port continue to evolve, fans have plenty to be excited about. Whether you're eager to explore a bold new city or take your journey on the go, the future of Cyberpunk looks more promising than ever.