"Project Orion: Night City and a 'Chicago Gone Wrong' Revealed by Mike Pondsmith"

CD Projekt's highly anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, codenamed Project Orion, remains shrouded in mystery, yet Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith has offered tantalizing glimpses into what fans might expect. Pondsmith, who played a pivotal role in the development and promotion of the original Cyberpunk 2077, which sold over 30 million copies, shared insights at the Digital Dragons 2025 conference about his involvement in Project Orion.

While Pondsmith clarified that his role is less hands-on this time, he still reviews scripts and has visited CD Projekt to oversee the project's progress. During a recent visit, he engaged with various departments, offering feedback on new cyberware and other elements.

The most intriguing revelation came when Pondsmith hinted at a new setting for Project Orion—a city distinct from the familiar Night City of Cyberpunk 2077. He described this new urban landscape as reminiscent of "Chicago gone wrong," suggesting a dystopian twist on the city's vibe, though not confirming it as a literal future Chicago.

Pondsmith's comments have sparked discussions about whether the sequel will expand upon Night City or introduce a completely new version, and how much of these cities will be playable. While many details remain undisclosed, it appears that Project Orion may 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 also established a new studio in Boston dedicated to Project Orion. Earlier this year, it was revealed 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 expect the game to hit the shelves anytime soon.

In addition to Project Orion, CD Projekt is expanding the Cyberpunk universe with a new animation project on Netflix, following the success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. In the near future, Cyberpunk 2077 is slated for release on the Nintendo Switch 2, further broadening its accessibility to gamers.