Cyberpunk Sequel Development Heats Up as CD Projekt Red Confirms Next-Gen Timeline

Nick Sampson | December 4 2025

A lot of news has come out from various sources regarding Cyberpunk. So lets get you up to speed in one easy summary. We can skip the part about a Johnny Silverhand return. (winks) Cyberpunk fans hoping to dive back into Night City will have to remain patient. New financial updates from CD Projekt Red paint the clearest picture yet of the long road ahead for Cyberpunk 2, and everything points to a next-generation release window. Across multiple sources, the message is consistent: large-scale hiring, multi-studio coordination, massive sales momentum, and a careful return to the franchise after Cyberpunk 2077’s turbulent launch.

Cyberpunk 2 Will Arrive After the Next Console Generation Begins

According to reporting from Vice, Cyberpunk 2 is progressing slowly, with CD Projekt Red confirming the sequel is not expected until after the next generation of consoles begins. During the company’s Q3 2025 financial conference, board member Michał Nowakowski stated that the Boston-based Cyberpunk team will double in size within the next two years, signaling that the game will not reach full production until around 2027. That puts its release several years afterward, right in line with the expected 2027–2028 launch window for next-gen PlayStation and Xbox systems. Source: Vice

CDPR Confirms the Sequel Will Not Release Before 2028

CBR further reports that Cyberpunk 2 will not arrive before 2028 under any circumstances. Their coverage highlights that 135 employees are already working full-time on the project across CDPR’s Polish headquarters and the lead studio in Boston. The development team is expected to grow to between 300 and 400 full-time staff by the end of 2027. Source: CBR

Cyberpunk 2077 Continues to Receive Support Five Years After Release

Despite being deep into sequel planning, CD Projekt Red appears to still be supporting the original game. GamingBible reports that the official Cyberpunk 2077 account posted cryptic December dates tied to characters Solomon Reed and Songbird. Fans believe this teaser points to a 5th Anniversary update and potentially the long-rumored 2.4 patch. Cyberpunk 2077 recently surpassed 35 million units sold, so continued updates would not be surprising. Source: Gaming Bible

Cyberpunk 2077 Sales Milestone Becomes CDPR’s Main Revenue Driver

Kotaku reports that Cyberpunk 2077 is now CD Projekt Red’s primary source of income. The game has reached 35 million copies sold, achieving this benchmark faster than The Witcher 3 did in the same post-release timeframe. This financial success is especially noteworthy given Cyberpunk’s disastrous launch in 2020, which included widespread refunds and the game’s temporary removal from the PlayStation Store. The turnaround is largely attributed to major patches, the 2.0 overhaul in 2023, and the Phantom Liberty expansion. Source: Kotaku

Keanu Reeves Signals He Wants to Return as Johnny Silverhand

Interest in the Cyberpunk franchise is not limited to the fans. Keanu Reeves himself has expressed a desire to return as Johnny Silverhand, despite the character’s complicated fate in Cyberpunk 2077. In a recent stream hosted by CD Projekt Red featuring Cyberpunk TTRPG creator Mike Pondsmith, Reeves’ enthusiasm became a talking point. Pondsmith revealed that the actor has openly said he would like to find a way to reprise the role. Pondsmith responded by saying he already has ideas that could make it possible, adding, “I have ways to do that, Keanu, contact me.” Source: GamesRadar

Eurogamer echoed the same sentiment, noting that Reeves told fans he would “love” to return as Johnny in the sequel. While CD Projekt Red has not confirmed whether Johnny Silverhand will appear in Cyberpunk 2, Pondsmith’s comments show there is narrative room to make it work. Pondsmith clarified that he is not directly involved in the sequel at the same level as before, but he reaffirmed his creative ideas for bringing Silverhand back. The article also references his previous statement that Cyberpunk 2 will feature an additional city described as “Chicago gone wrong,” which may open up new lore space where Johnny’s reappearance becomes feasible. Source: Eurogamer

These discussions emphasize how central Johnny Silverhand remains to Cyberpunk’s identity. His potential return signals that CD Projekt Red may continue incorporating iconic characters even as the franchise evolves into new cities and new generations of hardware.

Sequel May Feature a Second City Inspired by a "Chicago Gone Wrong"

Geek Culture’s coverage includes an intriguing tease from Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith. Though not directly involved in development (according to the article), Pondsmith reviewed early scripts and claims the sequel will take players to at least one new city in addition to Night City. He described the new location as feeling like "Chicago gone wrong," hinting at a darker, more industrial environment that differs from the neon sprawl of the original. Source: Geek Culture

A Cautious Road Ahead

All sources agree that Cyberpunk 2 remains years away. CD Projekt Red appears determined not to repeat the mistakes of Cyberpunk 2077’s rushed launch. With expanded teams across Boston, Warsaw, and Vancouver, significant hiring initiatives, and a deliberate production schedule, the studio is positioning the sequel as a flagship project for next-generation hardware. Until then, fans may see at least one more update for Cyberpunk 2077 as the franchise continues to evolve.