History of Cyberpunk in Timeline

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Cyberpunk

Cyberpunk, a dystopian science fiction subgenre, combines advanced technology with societal collapse, reflecting a "low-life and high tech" aesthetic. Featuring elements like AI and cyberware amidst decay, it emerged from the New Wave science fiction movement of the 1960s and 70s. Authors like Philip K. Dick and others explored the impact of technology, drug culture, and social upheaval, diverging from utopian themes in earlier science fiction.

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Cyberpunk 2077 is headlining the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog additions for July along with Abiotic Factor and Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. Subscribers can enjoy it for free.

1975: The Long Tomorrow story released

In 1975, Moebius collaborated with Dan O'Bannon on a story called The Long Tomorrow, published in the French magazine Métal Hurlant.

1979: Alien influenced by The Long Tomorrow

In 1979, The Long Tomorrow series had a far-reaching impact in the cyberpunk genre, being cited as an influence on Ridley Scott's Alien.

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1980: The Incal graphic novel collaboration released

From 1980 to 1988, Moebius expanded upon The Long Tomorrow's aesthetic with The Incal, a graphic novel collaboration with Alejandro Jodorowsky.

1981: Release of Escape from New York

Invariably the origin of cyberpunk music lies in the synthesizer-heavy scores of cyberpunk films such as Escape from New York released in 1981.

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1982: Akira manga released

In 1982, Akira, the manga, was released, and would later go on to influence animation, comics, film, music, television and video games.

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1982: Moebius designs Tron movie

In 1982, Moebius was one of the designers of Tron, a movie that shows a world inside a computer.

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1982: Release of Blade Runner

Invariably the origin of cyberpunk music lies in the synthesizer-heavy scores of cyberpunk films such as Blade Runner released in 1982.

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1983: Publication of Rōnin miniseries begins

From 1983 to 1984, DC Comics published Frank Miller's six-issue miniseries Rōnin.

1984: Publication of Rōnin miniseries ends

From 1983 to 1984, DC Comics published Frank Miller's six-issue miniseries Rōnin.

1984: Neuromancer novel influenced by Moebius' artwork

In 1984, Author William Gibson stated that Moebius' artwork for The Long Tomorrow strongly influenced his novel Neuromancer.

1985: Release of Megazone 23

In 1985, the original video animation Megazone 23 was released and had a number of similarities to The Matrix.

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1986: The Dark Knight Returns miniseries released

In 1986, Frank Miller incorporated elements of Rōnin into his miniseries The Dark Knight Returns.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns 30th Anniversary Edition
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns 30th Anniversary Edition

1987: Coining of the term "steampunk"

Around 1987, the term "steampunk" was originally coined as a joke to describe some of the novels of Tim Powers, James P. Blaylock, and K.W. Jeter.

1988: Publication of The Incal graphic novel ends

From 1980 to 1988, Moebius collaborated with Alejandro Jodorowsky on the graphic novel The Incal.

1988: Akira anime film adaptation released

In 1988, the anime film adaptation of Akira was released, influencing various forms of media and inspiring numerous works.

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1990: Release of Battle Angel Alita

In 1990, Battle Angel Alita was released, having a notable influence on James Cameron, who had plans to adapt it into a film since 2000.

1990: United States Secret Service raided Steve Jackson Games

In 1990, the United States Secret Service raided Steve Jackson Games's headquarters and confiscated all their computers and the GURPS Cyberpunk manuscript.

Gurps Cyberpunk: High-Tech Low-Life Roleplaying
Gurps Cyberpunk: High-Tech Low-Life Roleplaying

1993: Tokyo NOVA role-playing game debuted

In 1993, Tokyo NOVA, a cyberpunk role-playing game that uses playing cards instead of dice, debuted.

1994: Demolition of the Kowloon Walled City

In 1994, the Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong was demolished, and is often referenced as the model cyberpunk/dystopian slum.

1995: Release of 1. Outside by David Bowie

In 1995, 1. Outside, a cyberpunk narrative fueled concept album by David Bowie, was warmly met by critics upon its release.

1995: Release of Ghost in the Shell

In 1995, Ghost in the Shell was released, influencing filmmakers such as the Wachowskis.

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1996: Introduction of Netrunner card game

In 1996, Netrunner, a collectible card game based on the Cyberpunk 2020 role-playing game, was introduced.

1999: The Matrix influenced by Ghost in the Shell released

In 1999, The Matrix was released taking concepts from Ghost in the Shell, including the Matrix digital rain inspired by the opening credits.

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2000: James Cameron plans to adapt Battle Angel Alita into a film

In 2000, James Cameron was planning to adapt the Battle Angel Alita into a film.

2000: Dot-com bubble implosion

In 2000, the cyberdelic movement largely faded following the dot-com bubble implosion.

2001: Madonna's Drowned World Tour Opens with Cyberpunk Section

In 2001, Madonna's Drowned World Tour opened with a cyberpunk section, where costumes, aesthetics and stage props were used to accentuate the dystopian nature of the theatrical concert.

2006: Publication of Batman: Year 100

In 2006, Paul Pope's Batman: Year 100, was published, exhibiting several traits typical of cyberpunk fiction.

Batman: Year 100 (2025 Edition)
Batman: Year 100 (2025 Edition)

2015: Fallout 4 set previous Steam record

In 2015, Fallout 4 set the previous Steam record of 472,962 players.

2019: Release of Alita: Battle Angel

In 2019, the film adaptation Alita: Battle Angel was released, with James Cameron as the producer.

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December 10, 2020: Cyberpunk 2077 Release Date

Cyberpunk 2077, a cyberpunk open world first-person shooter/role-playing video game (RPG) based on the tabletop RPG Cyberpunk 2020, was released by CD Projekt Red on December 10, 2020.

2020: Cyberpunk 2020 role-playing game

In 2020, Cyberpunk 2020 role-playing game.

2020: Lady Gaga releases Chromatica

In 2020, Lady Gaga used a cyberpunk-persona and visual style for her sixth studio album Chromatica.

2077: Release of Cyberpunk 2077

In 2077, CD Projekt Red released Cyberpunk 2077, a cyberpunk open world first-person shooter/role-playing video game (RPG) based on the tabletop RPG Cyberpunk 2020.

2077: Cyberpunk 2077 sets record for simultaneous players

In 2077, Cyberpunk 2077 set a new record for the largest number of simultaneous players in a single player game, with 1,054,388 playing just after the December 10th launch.

2077: Rōnin influences Cyberpunk 2077

In 2077, Rōnin would go on to influence many later works, including video games such as Cyberpunk 2077.

2077: Kaneda's Motorbike featured in Cyberpunk 2077

In 2077, the bike from the film Akira, Kaneda's Motorbike, is featured in CD Projekt's video game Cyberpunk 2077.