Work on theCyberpunk 2077sequel is well underway, and many have been eager to find out more. Codenamed Project Orion, the next entry inCyberpunk 2077could go even bigger than its predecessor, according to Mike Pondsmith, as a brand-new city is reportedly being introduced.
Without Pondsmith,Cyberpunk 2077wouldn’t exist, since he’s the mind behind the tabletop game it’s based on. In a recent interview at the Digital Dragons conference in Poland, Pondsmith let it slip thatCyberpunk 2077’s sequel will feature another city. When discussing how the city differs from Night City, Pondsmith said, “And it doesn’t feel likeBlade Runner, it feels more like Chicago gone wrong.” The “Chicago gone wrong” comment is an intriguing bit of information. Chicago has an interesting history in the franchise, and if it serves as inspiration for Project Orion, there are some fascinating paths for the story to take.
Bringing a “Chicago Gone Wrong” to Life in Cyberpunk 2077’s Sequel Has Major Implications
After the Collapse, Chicago Struggled to Survive
Following the withering of the United States, Chicago was hit hard in 2011. Up until then, the city had a difficult time staying afloat in general, but 2011 was the beginning of the end for what was once a major city in the nation. Near the end of the year, reconstruction efforts destroyed Heartland, a secret government-funded research facility underneath the University of Chicago. Little did the construction crew know that Heartland was filled with a myriad of deadly diseases, sending Chicago into chaos by 2012.The story ofCyberpunk 2077’s sequelis a mystery, but it’s possible that it could feature some fascinating flashbacks to this bio plague. However, Chicago’s history doesn’t stop there.
The Fourth Corporate War
Chicago was eventually ravaged by the Fourth Corporate War in the 2020s. Storm Technologies saw the ravaged city as a building opportunity, but just as reconstruction was going well, Arasaka sent virus bombs to snuff out the competition.Arasaka is a force to be reckoned with inCyberpunk 2077, so a potential flashback scene detailing the virus bomb attack could be horrifying, but compelling.
Chicago has an interesting history in the franchise, and if it serves as inspiration for Project Orion, there are some fascinating paths for the story to take.
What Would Chicago Look Like in 2077?
At least 50 years have passed since the Arasaka bombings, so it’s definitely possible that Chicago is functioning in some capacity. Even inCyberpunk 2077, plans to connect Night City to Chicago via the Maglev Network are mentioned.The nextCyberpunk 2077chaptercould potentially be focused around connecting the cities. There’s also the chance that the sequel’s story takes place years after a connection has been achieved, which could mean Chicago is functioning, just in a rough state.
It’s important to note that the direction ofCyberpunk 2077’s sequel is subject to change, so this second city could also end up on the cutting room floor.
Pondsmith’s comments are vague, but they definitely hint at a city filled with intense crime and hard living. In the series, nomads have continued to make the city their home. It’s possible that groups of violent nomads now fill the metropolis. It’s also likely that these nomads have formed a loosely structured society that could be similar toPhantom Liberty’s Dogtown.
Of course, there won’t be an official answer given until CD Projekt Red offers insight, but speculating on what Pondsmith’s comments mean raises some interesting questions.The wait for the nextCyberpunk 2077might be a long one, but until then, there is at least plenty of exciting lore and secrets to discover in Night City right now.
Cyberpunk 2077
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades.The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?
