Project Orion: Leaked Details Reveal a Bold New Chapter for Cyberpunk 2077’s Sequel

Few games have left as indelible a mark on the gaming industry as Cyberpunk 2077. Launched in December 2020 by CD Projekt Red (CDPR), the open-world RPG set in the neon-drenched Night City overcame a rocky debut to become a cultural juggernaut, selling over 30 million copies by November 2024 and earning acclaim for its Phantom Liberty expansion. Now, anticipation is skyrocketing for its sequel, codenamed Project Orion, which promises to expand the Cyberpunk universe in thrilling new ways. Recent leaks, including comments from Cyberpunk tabletop creator Mike Pondsmith and job listings from CDPR’s North American studios, have unveiled tantalizing details about Orion’s setting, gameplay, and ambitions. From a dystopian Chicago-inspired metropolis to Unreal Engine 5’s photorealistic visuals, Project Orion is shaping up to be a landmark sci-fi RPG. Here’s everything we know so far about this hotly anticipated sequel and why it’s generating such fervor among fans.

The Genesis of Project Orion

Project Orion was officially announced in October 2022, with CDPR describing it as a sequel that will “prove the full power and potential of the Cyberpunk universe.” Unlike Cyberpunk 2077, developed primarily in Warsaw, Poland, Orion is being spearheaded by CDPR’s North American studios in Boston and Vancouver, with support from Warsaw and Vancouver teams. The project is led by veterans of Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty, including Game Director Gabriel Amatangelo, Associate Game Director Paweł Sasko, and Creative Director Igor Sarzyński, ensuring continuity in vision. As of February 2024, Orion entered early development, with a team of 350–500 developers expected to bring it to life.

The sequel’s development is a response to Cyberpunk 2077’s redemption arc. After a disastrous launch plagued by bugs and performance issues, CDPR invested millions in updates, culminating in the critically acclaimed Phantom Liberty DLC and Update 2.0, which overhauled gameplay systems. By November 2024, the game had sold over 30 million units, making it one of the best-selling titles ever. Orion aims to build on this success, learning from past mistakes to deliver a polished experience. Posts on X reflect this optimism, with fans excited about a sequel that could refine Cyberpunk 2077’s strengths while introducing bold new ideas.

A New City: Chicago “Gone Wrong”

One of the most exciting leaks about Project Orion came from Mike Pondsmith, creator of the Cyberpunk tabletop RPG, during an interview at the Digital Dragons 2025 conference. Pondsmith revealed that Orion will feature a second major city alongside a reimagined Night City, describing it as “like Chicago, which walked the wrong direction.” This dystopian Chicago-inspired metropolis, potentially set in 2080, promises a fresh setting that contrasts with Night City’s Blade Runner-esque aesthetic. Pondsmith’s comment suggests a city shaped by corporate greed, technological excess, and societal decay, offering a new lens on the Cyberpunk universe’s themes of transhumanism and inequality.

This revelation, echoed in posts on X by users like @RinoTheBouncer and @Pirat_Nation, has sparked speculation about Orion’s world. Unlike Night City’s dense, vertical sprawl, a Chicago-inspired city could feature sprawling urban decay, industrial zones, or even references to the tabletop game’s lore, where Chicago is a hub of gang conflicts and corporate intrigue. Fans on Reddit have pointed to in-game posters in Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty DLC, which advertise travel from Chicago to Night City in 2080, as possible Easter eggs hinting at Orion’s setting. This dual-city approach could allow players to explore interconnected narratives, with seamless travel between locations, enhancing the open-world experience.

Unreal Engine 5: A Visual and Technical Leap

Another confirmed detail is Orion’s use of Unreal Engine 5, a departure from Cyberpunk 2077’s proprietary REDengine. Job listings from CDPR’s Boston studio emphasize “high-quality, photorealistic” graphics, leveraging Unreal Engine 5’s world partition and geometry tools for expansive, detailed environments. This shift promises enhanced visuals, smoother performance, and potentially faster development, as Unreal Engine 5 is a more established platform than REDengine was during Cyberpunk 2077’s creation. The engine’s capabilities, showcased in games like Hellblade II, suggest Orion could deliver breathtaking cyberpunk vistas, from holographic billboards to reflective urban surfaces.

The move to Unreal Engine 5 also addresses Cyberpunk 2077’s technical woes. The original game’s $436–441 million budget, one of the highest in gaming history, was partly spent fixing optimization issues. By adopting Unreal Engine 5, CDPR aims to ensure Orion runs smoothly on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and possibly the Nintendo Switch 2, slated for 2025. Fans on X, such as @SKizzleAXE, have expressed excitement about “more realistic crowds” and improved NPC interactions, suggesting Orion will use Unreal Engine 5 to create a living, breathing world.

Gameplay Innovations: Crafting, Open-World Events, and More

Leaked job listings from February 2024 provide insight into Orion’s gameplay. A listing for a Lead Systems Designer confirms a new crafting system, likely expanding on Cyberpunk 2077’s basic mechanics to allow deeper customization of weapons, cyberware, or vehicles. This could appeal to players who wanted more agency in crafting unique builds. Additionally, a Senior Quest Designer role mentions “open-world events,” a feature absent in Cyberpunk 2077, where quests were tied to specific locations. These events, triggered spontaneously or by player actions, could make Orion’s world feel more dynamic, akin to Red Dead Redemption 2’s random encounters.

The listings also suggest Orion will retain Cyberpunk 2077’s first-person perspective, a choice that reinforces immersion and aligns with the franchise’s focus on embodying the protagonist. While some fans have speculated about a third-person mode, CDPR’s commitment to first-person combat, refined in Phantom Liberty with improved AI and movement, indicates Orion will double down on this approach. The sequel will also feature a mix of interactive dialogue scenes and non-interactive cutscenes, with motion-captured animations for cinematic storytelling, ensuring narrative depth comparable to The Witcher 3.

Rumors of multiplayer elements, mentioned by CDPR Joint CEO Adam Badowski in a Reuters interview, have stirred debate. While Cyberpunk 2077’s planned multiplayer was scrapped due to its troubled launch, Orion may incorporate co-op or online features inspired by GTA Online, though likely as a complement to the single-player experience. Posts on X, like @GGamingAR’s, highlight fan enthusiasm for a “brand new map” and “realistic NPCs,” suggesting Orion will prioritize a rich, immersive world over experimental multiplayer.

Narrative Possibilities: A New Protagonist and Space Exploration

Orion’s story remains shrouded in mystery, but leaks and speculation offer clues. A debunked Reddit leak from January 2025 claimed Orion follows a netrunner named “Echo” searching for V, Cyberpunk 2077’s protagonist, with Johnny Silverhand returning as a digital mentor. While CDPR dismissed this as a hoax, Cyberpunk 2077’s multiple endings—where V faces death or ventures to space—suggest Orion may not directly continue V’s story. Instead, a new protagonist seems likely, allowing CDPR to explore fresh perspectives in the Cyberpunk universe.

A significant hint comes from Cyberpunk 2077’s canceled Moon DLC, leaked in a 2021 CDPR hack. The DLC planned to take players to a colonized lunar surface, a setting referenced in the game’s “The Sun” ending, where V targets the Crystal Palace casino in space. The Orion codename, evoking a constellation, and Pondsmith’s space-focused comments fuel speculation that the sequel could incorporate extraterrestrial settings, such as lunar settlements or orbital stations. This would expand the franchise’s scope, introducing new factions and corporate battles beyond Earth.

Challenges and Expectations

Despite the excitement, Orion faces hurdles. Cyberpunk 2077’s troubled launch, which led to a $1.85 million lawsuit settlement, looms large. CDPR’s focus on quality over speed means Orion may not release until 2028, aligning with next-gen consoles, as speculated by Bloomberg. The game’s ambitious scope—multiple cities, Unreal Engine 5, and potential multiplayer—risks overextension, a concern raised on sites like ScreenRant, which warns against diluting Cyberpunk 2077’s narrative strengths.

Yet, CDPR’s recent track record inspires confidence. Phantom Liberty’s smooth launch and the hiring of industry veterans like Alexander Freed (Star Wars: The Old Republic) for Orion’s writing team signal a commitment to excellence. The studio’s Boston hub, staffed with talent from Blizzard and BioWare, adds further credibility. Fans on X, like @nagcoza, praise CDPR’s vision for a “banging next game,” reflecting optimism that Orion will avoid Cyberpunk 2077’s pitfalls.

The Road Ahead

Project Orion is poised to redefine the Cyberpunk franchise. With a Chicago-inspired city, Unreal Engine 5’s visual prowess, and gameplay innovations like open-world events and crafting, the sequel aims to deliver a richer, more polished experience than its predecessor. While its 2028 release feels distant, CDPR’s transparency through job listings and Pondsmith’s teases keeps fans engaged. As the gaming community dissects every leak, from Reddit theories to X posts, Orion’s promise of a dystopian epic set across Earth and beyond has everyone talking. For now, the Cyberpunk universe is alive with potential, and Project Orion could be the chrome-plated masterpiece fans have been waiting for.