Full History Of Cyberpunk 2077 In Timeline From 2000

2000: Mike Pondsmith's Work at Microsoft

Mike Pondsmith contributed to the development of games like Crimson Skies (2000) during his time at Microsoft. This experience proved valuable for CD Projekt Red during the development of Cyberpunk 2077.

2001: Release of Blood Wake

Mike Pondsmith's work on Blood Wake at Microsoft in 2001 further solidified his expertise in game development, which he later brought to his consultancy role for Cyberpunk 2077.

2005: Development of The Matrix Online

Mike Pondsmith's involvement in developing The Matrix Online at Monolith Productions in 2005 gave him insights into online gaming, which would become relevant for the development of Cyberpunk 2077.

2007: Release of The Witcher

CD Projekt Red released the first game in The Witcher series in 2007. This marked the beginning of their successful foray into adapting existing fantasy worlds into video games.

2011: Release of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

CD Projekt Red released The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings in 2011. This game impressed Mike Pondsmith, leading to the initial discussions about Cyberpunk 2077.

May 2012: Cyberpunk 2077 Announced

Cyberpunk 2077 was first revealed to the world in May 2012, marking the beginning of its long journey to release.

2012: CD Projekt Red Approaches Mike Pondsmith

CD Projekt Red approached Mike Pondsmith, the creator of Cyberpunk, in early 2012, to discuss a collaboration after the release of The Witcher 2.

January 2013: First Trailers Released

In January 2013, the first glimpses of Cyberpunk 2077 were shown to the public through the release of early trailers.

2013: Early Development with REDengine 3

Cyberpunk 2077's development began as early as 2013, initially using REDengine 3, the game engine that powered The Witcher 3.

2013: Alt Cunningham creates Soulkiller

In 2013, Alt Cunningham, Johnny Silverhand's girlfriend, creates Soulkiller, an AI that can copy netrunners' minds but destroys their brains in the process. Arasaka kidnaps Alt and forces her to make a version of Soulkiller for them.

2015: Quest Design in Cyberpunk 2077

The quest system in Cyberpunk 2077, developed after the release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in 2015, was designed to be non-linear. Players could tackle quests in various orders while maintaining story coherence. The development team aimed to create a sense of consequence and incorporated unexpected twists into the narrative.

2016: Development begins

The development of Cyberpunk 2077 began following the release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Blood and Wine in 2016.

2016: Development of Cyberpunk 2077 Begins

While the initial announcement came earlier, the bulk of Cyberpunk 2077's development began in 2016. CD Projekt Red, known for The Witcher series, embarked on this ambitious project, aiming to create a sprawling open world with advanced technology and immersive gameplay.

2017: Continued Work on REDengine 4

CD Projekt Red continued to refine and improve REDengine 4 throughout the development of Cyberpunk 2077, even as late as 2017. This dedication to their in-house engine highlights its significance in realizing the game's ambitious scope.

2018: E3 2018 Reveals

Cyberpunk 2077 made a splash at E3 2018, confirming its release on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One alongside the already announced Windows version.

June 2019: Cosplay Competition Begins

A cosplay competition inviting fans to embody their favorite Cyberpunk 2077 characters began in June 2019 and ran until October 2020.

August 2019: Stadia Platform Confirmed

August 2019 saw the announcement of Cyberpunk 2077's release on Google Stadia, expanding the game's reach to the cloud gaming platform.

April 2020: Cyberpunk 2077 Merchandise Launch

April 16, 2020, saw the release of Cyberpunk 2077 Funko Pops, kicking off a wave of merchandise for eager fans.

April 2020: First Release Delay

The initial release date of April 16, 2020, was pushed back, marking the first in a series of delays for Cyberpunk 2077.

May 2020: Marketing Campaign in Poland

May 2020 saw a major marketing push for Cyberpunk 2077 in Poland, spearheaded by the Agora Group across various media channels.

July 2020: The World of Cyberpunk 2077 Art Book Release

Dark Horse Books published "The World of Cyberpunk 2077," a 192-page art book, in July 2020.

October 2020: Cosplay Competition Concludes

The Cyberpunk 2077 cosplay competition, running for over a year, reached its conclusion in October 2020.

December 2020: Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Against CD Projekt Red

A class-action lawsuit was filed in California in December 2020, alleging that CD Projekt Red made misleading statements about the state of Cyberpunk 2077, harming investors.

December 2020: Final Release Date and Controversy

After multiple delays, Cyberpunk 2077 finally launched on December 10, 2020. The delays, particularly the final one, sparked controversy and even led to death threats directed at the developers.

December 2020: Cyberpunk 2077 released

After years of anticipation, CD Projekt released Cyberpunk 2077 for PlayStation 4, Google Stadia, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox One on December 10, 2020.

December 2020: Cyberpunk 2077 Surpasses 13 Million Units Sold Despite Controversy

By December 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 had sold over 13 million units despite the controversy surrounding its technical issues. This highlighted the game's strong initial sales driven by pre-orders and hype. It also achieved the biggest digital game launch ever, demonstrating the shift towards digital distribution.

December 2020: Cyberpunk 2077 removed from PlayStation Store

Cyberpunk 2077 was removed from the PlayStation Store in December 2020 due to bugs and performance issues, and was reinstated in June 2021 after some issues were rectified.

December 2020: Sony Offers Refunds and Removes Cyberpunk 2077 from PlayStation Store

In December 2020, Sony offered refunds to customers who purchased Cyberpunk 2077 through the PlayStation Store and removed the game due to performance issues. The game returned to the store in June 2021 with a warning for PS4 users.

2020: Cyberpunk 2077 Launches with Record Pre-Orders but Faces Backlash Over Technical Issues

Cyberpunk 2077 was released in 2020 with over eight million pre-orders, recouping its production and marketing costs. Despite this initial success, the launch was marred by technical issues, leading to a decline in sales and negative player feedback. CD Projekt Red faced criticism for the game's performance, particularly on older consoles.

2020: Cyberpunk 2077 video game released

The action role-playing video game Cyberpunk 2077, developed by CD Projekt Red and based on Mike Pondsmith's Cyberpunk tabletop game series, was released in 2020.

2020: Night City Wire Showcases Gameplay

With E3 2020 cancelled due to the pandemic, CD Projekt hosted "Night City Wire", an online event offering deeper dives into Cyberpunk 2077's world, gameplay mechanics, and development process.

January 2021: Co-CEO Marcin Iwiński Issues Public Apology and Outlines Plans for Cyberpunk 2077's Future

In January 2021, Marcin Iwiński, Co-CEO of CD Projekt Red, released an open letter to players apologizing for the state of Cyberpunk 2077 at launch. He acknowledged the company had "underestimated the risk" in porting the game to older consoles, attributing the issues to the in-game streaming engine. Iwiński outlined a year-long plan to address these issues through patches and optimizations, prioritizing bringing the older console versions up to standard.

January 2021: Polish Authorities Investigate Cyberpunk 2077 Launch

Poland's Office of Competition and Consumer Protection launched an investigation into Cyberpunk 2077's troubled launch in January 2021, seeking explanations from CD Projekt Red.

February 2021: Censorship in China Revealed

In February 2021, hackers uncovered content in Cyberpunk 2077's code flagged for censorship in China, revealing the lengths taken to meet the country's strict regulations.

May 2021: Multiple Lawsuits Against CD Projekt Red Consolidated

By May 2021, four separate lawsuits against CD Projekt Red related to Cyberpunk 2077 were consolidated into a single legal action.

June 2021: Cyberpunk 2077 Returns to PlayStation Store with Warning

Cyberpunk 2077 returned to the PlayStation Store in June 2021 after being removed in December 2020, but with a warning for PS4 users about ongoing performance issues.

June 2021: Cyberpunk 2077 reinstated on PlayStation Store

Cyberpunk 2077 was reinstated on the PlayStation Store in June 2021 after some bugs and performance issues were addressed.

October 2021: Next-Gen Release Delayed

Originally slated for 2021, the release of enhanced versions of Cyberpunk 2077 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S was delayed to February 2022.

December 2021: CD Projekt Proposes Settlement in Investor Lawsuit

CD Projekt proposed a $1.85 million settlement with investors in December 2021 to resolve the class-action lawsuit alleging misleading statements about Cyberpunk 2077.

February 2022: Next-Generation Versions Released

Cyberpunk 2077 arrived on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on February 15, 2022, offering enhanced visuals and performance for the next-generation consoles.

February 2022: Cyberpunk 2077 released on next-gen consoles

Cyberpunk 2077 was released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on February 15, 2022.

September 2022: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Premiere

"Cyberpunk: Edgerunners," an anime spin-off co-produced by CD Projekt Red and Trigger, premiered on Netflix in September 2022.

September 2022: Cyberpunk 2077 Crosses 20 Million Copies Sold, Marking a Turnaround

By September 2022, Cyberpunk 2077 had sold over 20 million units, signaling a recovery from its troubled launch. This milestone demonstrated the game's growing popularity, likely attributed to patches, updates, and the positive reception of "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners."

September 2022: Cyberpunk 2077 Player Count Surge

Following the release of the anime series "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" in September 2022, Cyberpunk 2077 experienced a significant surge in player count on PC, reaching levels last seen during the game's initial release.

October 2022: Cyberpunk 2077 sequel announced

A sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, codenamed "Project Orion", was announced in October 2022.

October 2022: Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel, Codenamed "Project Orion," Announced

CD Projekt Red announced a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, codenamed "Project Orion," in October 2022. This announcement signaled the company's confidence in the franchise's future and their commitment to expanding the Cyberpunk universe.

2022: Cyberpunk 2077 Sales Boosted by "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" Anime

In 2022, Cyberpunk 2077 saw an 18% increase in sales, largely attributed to the popularity of the Netflix anime series, "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners." The anime, set in the same universe as the game, received critical acclaim and boosted interest in Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt Red capitalized on this by releasing a game update featuring content inspired by the series.

January 2023: Court Approves Settlement in Cyberpunk 2077 Investor Lawsuit

A judge approved the $1.85 million settlement between CD Projekt and investors in January 2023, resolving the class-action lawsuit related to Cyberpunk 2077's troubled launch.

September 2023: Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty expansion released

An expansion for Cyberpunk 2077, Phantom Liberty, was released for PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on September 26, 2023.

October 2023: Cyberpunk 2077 Reaches 25 Million Units Sold

As of October 2023, Cyberpunk 2077 had sold over 25 million units, marking another significant sales milestone. This achievement solidified the game's comeback from its rocky launch, showcasing the impact of ongoing improvements and content additions.

October 2023: Cyberpunk 2077 sales milestone

By October 2023, Cyberpunk 2077 had sold over 25 million units.

October 2023: CD Projekt Red Reveals Extensive Spending on "Cyberpunk 2077" Since Launch

In October 2023, CD Projekt Red revealed they had spent over $120 million on "Cyberpunk 2077" post-launch. This investment covered updates, bug fixes, and the development of the "Phantom Liberty" expansion, highlighting their commitment to improving the game.

November 2023: 'Ultimate Edition' Announced

On November 21, 2023, CD Projekt Red revealed the 'Ultimate Edition' of Cyberpunk 2077, a physical release for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, bundled with the Phantom Liberty expansion.

December 2023: Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition and Update 2.1 Release

CD Projekt Red released Cyberpunk 2077's "Ultimate Edition" and Update 2.1 in December 2023. Update 2.1 was the last major update for the game, introducing a functional metro system, additional romance scenes, and various quality improvements.

December 2023: 'Ultimate Edition' Released

The 'Ultimate Edition' of Cyberpunk 2077, including the Phantom Liberty expansion, hit store shelves on December 5, 2023, offering players a complete package for the current generation of consoles.

2023: Johnny Silverhand's attack on Arasaka Tower

Johnny Silverhand, a war veteran turned iconic rock star and terrorist, dies in 2023 during his thermonuclear attack on Arasaka Tower.

February 2024: Development on "Project Orion," the Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel, Begins

By February 2024, "Project Orion" had entered early development, with key personnel transitioning to CD Projekt Red's Boston studio. Gabe Amatangelo, known for his work on the "Phantom Liberty" expansion, was appointed as the game's director.

2077: Arasaka's "Secure Your Soul" Program and the Relic

By 2077, the megacorporation Arasaka was publicly promoting a program called "Secure Your Soul" while also conducting clandestine research into the transfer of a digital copy of a person's consciousness into a living human brain. This secretive research led to the creation of the Relic.

2077: Partnerships During Development

CD Projekt Red collaborated with several companies during the development of Cyberpunk 2077. These collaborations included Digital Scapes for tools development, Nvidia for ray tracing technology, QLOC for quality assurance, and Jali Research for AI-powered lip-syncing in multiple languages.

2077: Cyberpunk 2077 Story Rights Secured

CD Projekt Red secured the rights to develop Cyberpunk 2077, based on Mike Pondsmith's Cyberpunk universe, for stories set after the year 2077. Pondsmith retained rights for stories before 2077.

2077: The World of Cyberpunk 2077 and Night City

Cyberpunk 2077 presents an alternate future where the United States has declined, and Japan has risen to become a global superpower. The game is set in Night City, a sprawling, technologically advanced metropolis heavily influenced by Japanese culture. Night City is a city of stark contrasts, with the ultra-wealthy corporate elite, known as "corpos," holding sway over the impoverished masses who seek escape in drugs and virtual reality.

2077: REDengine 3 and its Advancements

Cyberpunk 2077 was initially developed on REDengine 3, which introduced significant improvements in rendering terrain, vegetation, and other visual elements. It used techniques like clipmapping, tessellation, and advanced texturing to create immersive open worlds.

2077: Cyberpunk 2077 Adaptation and Themes

Cyberpunk 2077, adapted from Mike Pondsmith's works, retains the dark and gritty tone of the cyberpunk genre while incorporating themes of rebellion and a touch of whimsy. The protagonist's journey is one of personal survival in a bleak and unforgiving world.

2077: The Heist

In 2077, V and Jackie attempt to steal a biochip known as "the Relic" from Arasaka Corporation for the fixer Dexter "Dex" DeShawn, but the plan goes awry when they witness the murder of Saburo Arasaka. Jackie is fatally wounded during the escape, and V inserts the damaged Relic into their head.

2077: REDengine 4: Lighting, Rendering, and Performance

REDengine 4, used for Cyberpunk 2077, incorporates advanced lighting techniques like ray tracing, global illumination, and ambient occlusion. It also features physically based rendering, screen space reflections, and improved shadow rendering. These features, while visually impressive, posed significant challenges for older consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

2077: Shift to REDengine 4

The development of Cyberpunk 2077 transitioned from REDengine 3 to REDengine 4 due to the challenges posed by the game's first-person perspective. REDengine 4 was specifically designed to handle the complexities of a more immersive and detailed first-person experience.