CD Projekt Red has confirmed what many fans have been waiting for. The next Cyberpunk game, now officially titled Cyberpunk 2, has entered pre-production. That means the early planning phase is done, and the team is moving on to the meat of development. It’s real, it’s happening, but don’t expect it to drop anytime soon.
Where Things Stand
The announcement came during CD Projekt’s latest earnings call. Alongside the update, the studio revealed that Phantom Liberty, the expansion for Cyberpunk 2077, has crossed 10 million copies sold. That’s a big number, especially for post-launch content. Right now, 96 developers are working on Cyberpunk 2, while most of the studio — 422 people — are focused on The Witcher 4, which is further along in development.
So yes, Cyberpunk 2 is in motion, but it’s not the studio’s main focus just yet.
What Does “Pre-Production” Mean?
Pre-production in the gaming world is where things start to take shape. It’s not about building the final game. It’s about locking down the vision, testing mechanics, building prototypes, and figuring out what kind of tools the team will need. It’s also when they start to define the story, environments, and overall feel of the game.
This phase can last years, especially for a game as ambitious as Cyberpunk 2. Think of it as laying the foundation for a skyscraper. No point rushing it unless you want the whole thing to collapse later.
New City, New Energy
The most exciting detail so far comes from Mike Pondsmith, the creator of the Cyberpunk universe. At the Digital Dragons 2025 conference, he revealed that Cyberpunk 2 will include a second city alongside Night City. He described the new location as “like Chicago gone wrong.”
He didn’t give away much, but he made it clear that this new city brings a very different vibe. It’s not the neon-glow of Night City. It’s darker, grittier, and more grounded. Something industrial and broken, with a heavy atmosphere that feels more real than sci-fi fantasy.
While Pondsmith isn’t as deeply involved in Cyberpunk 2 as he was with 2077, he’s still reviewing scripts and offering feedback. That suggests CD Projekt is staying close to the roots of the franchise while exploring new directions.
The Bigger Picture
Despite the rough launch of Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt has managed an impressive turnaround. With strong post-launch updates, a well-received anime (Cyberpunk: Edgerunners), and now a new project in development, the brand is alive and well.
Sales numbers support that too. Between the base game and expansions, Cyberpunk 2077 has sold more than 30 million copies. And in June, the game is heading to the Nintendo Switch 2 as an “Ultimate Edition,” bundled with Phantom Liberty.
They’re clearly not done with this universe, and it looks like the sequel is going to be a major evolution, not just more of the same.
When Will We Get to Play?
Let’s be real — this game is still years away. With The Witcher 4 taking up most of the studio’s attention and Cyberpunk 2 just now entering pre-production, we’re likely looking at a 2029 or 2030 release at the earliest.
That might sound like a long wait, but considering how the first Cyberpunk stumbled out of the gate, slow and steady could be exactly what the sequel needs.
