CD Projekt Red has confirmed Cyberpunk 2077’s sequel, Project Orion, will let players explore a gritty, Chicago-inspired city in addition to Night City—finally, some real midwestern cybercrime! This new location trades neon for rough streets and Midwest corruption, promising fresh vibes and more realism, not just more neon. Players will actually travel between cities, and it seems Mike Pondsmith is keeping things cyber-authentic. There’s already talk of crazy new crowds and immersive side quests—curious what madness they’re planning?
Even as Night City’s neon-soaked streets still echo in the minds of Cyberpunk 2077 fans, CD Projekt Red has quietly confirmed the sequel—currently codenamed Project Orion—will introduce a second city for players to explore.
For many, this is the first real sign that the Cyberpunk universe will expand beyond the familiar, rain-splattered alleys and towering skyscrapers. And yes, Night City’s not going anywhere, but it’s about to get a gritty, not-so-distant neighbor.
CD Projekt Red’s Boston studio is taking the lead on Project Orion, and they’re aiming high. The new city, inspired by the idea of “Chicago gone wrong,” promises a distinctly American flavor. Project Orion is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, representing a significant leap in technology for the series.
CD Projekt Red’s Boston team is crafting a “Chicago gone wrong”—a gritty, American-inspired city unlike anything Night City has seen.
Think less neon-drenched Blade Runner, more Midwest corruption and urban decay—kind of like Chicago, but with more cyborgs and fewer deep-dish pizzas. The developers want this setting to feel authentic, gritty, and definitely not a Night City clone.
Even Mike Pondsmith, the original creator of Cyberpunk, has weighed in—though he’s not as hands-on as last time. He’s seen the scripts, offered feedback, and even commented that the new city offers something that doesn’t feel like Blade Runner. Pondsmith has been reviewing and advising on elements like new cyberware for the game.
He seems to appreciate the direction, and he’s tossing in his opinions on cyberware and new elements as well.
Players can expect to travel between both cities, which should open up the story and, let’s be honest, double the fun of getting lost in side quests.
CD Projekt Red is also promising “the most-realistic crowds ever”—so if you ever wanted to get stuck in a cyberpunk traffic jam, your dreams may finally come true.
The game is still early in development, with a modest team of 84 developers chipping away at it.
There’s no release date yet, and with The Witcher 4 currently stealing the spotlight, fans might be waiting until 2027 or beyond to set foot in dystopian “Chicago.”
Still, the addition of a second city hints at bigger ambitions for the franchise.
New environments, new stories, and new flavors of corruption—sounds like Cyberpunk fans have plenty to speculate about, if not play, for a while.