Since its transformative journey from a troubled 2020 launch to a celebrated RPG powerhouse, Cyberpunk 2077 has continually evolved. The game-changing Phantom Liberty expansion and numerous quality-of-life updates have solidified its place, drawing players deeper into the ruthless, neon-drenched sprawl of Night City. While developer CD Projekt Red deserves immense credit for this redemption arc, the vibrant modding community has played an equally crucial role in expanding the game's horizons. Among a vast sea of player-created content, one groundbreaking modification has sparked a significant conversation about the future of the franchise, specifically its upcoming sequel, Project Orion.
The mod in question, titled "Every Animation Redone TPP Third Person" by creator Tylerrrr, represents a monumental technical achievement. It successfully implements a fully realized, impressively crafted third-person perspective into the core first-person experience of Cyberpunk 2077. This isn't a simple camera hack; the mod reworks character animations for walking, combat, and interactions, allowing players to experience Night City and its stories from an entirely new vantage point. Its polished nature has resonated powerfully with the community, amassing over 13,000 downloads on Nexus Mods within just a few weeks of its September 2024 release. This rapid adoption rate clearly demonstrates a substantial player desire for this optional perspective.
This community-driven innovation now presents a compelling case for CD Projekt Red as they develop Project Orion, the codename for the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel. While details about the sequel remain shrouded in mystery, expectations are astronomically high. The studio will undoubtedly strive to make Project Orion a superior experience in every way. Integrating an optional third-person camera mode, inspired by the modding community's proof-of-concept, could be a masterstroke in meeting and exceeding those lofty expectations.
Why a Third-Person Option Makes Strategic Sense for Project Orion
The arguments for including this feature are multifaceted:
-
Player Choice and Accessibility: Cyberpunk 2077's first-person view was a deliberate design choice to enhance immersion, making players feel intimately connected to V's experiences. However, forcing a single perspective can have downsides. Some players experience motion sickness in first-person games, while others simply prefer to see their meticulously customized character in action. Offering a choice caters to a broader audience and respects player preference.
-
Enhanced Environmental Awareness: A third-person perspective naturally allows players to see more of their immediate surroundings. In the dense, vertical, and often chaotic environment of a future Night City, this wider field of view could enhance situational awareness during exploration and combat, adding a different strategic layer without sacrificing immersion.
-
Celebrating Character Customization: Cyberpunk 2077 offers deep and detailed character creation. A third-person mode allows players to appreciate their stylistic choices—from cyberware and fashion to idle animations—throughout their entire journey, not just in mirrors or photo mode. This makes the investment in customization feel more meaningful.
-
Building on Community Innovation: The modding community has effectively done the foundational R&D. The overwhelming positive response to Tylerrrr's mod sends an unambiguous signal about feature demand. Acknowledging and formally implementing such a highly requested feature would be seen as the studio listening closely to its dedicated fanbase.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
Of course, implementing an official third-person mode is not without its challenges. The game's core systems, from intricate UI elements to cover-based combat and driving mechanics, were designed with a first-person camera in mind. CD Projekt Red would need to ensure:
-
Fluid Animation Integration: All character animations for weapons, mantling, and interactions would need to be created or adapted to look natural from a third-person view.
-
UI/UX Adaptation: The game's heads-up display and menu systems might require thoughtful redesign to function clearly in both perspectives.
-
Performance Optimization: Rendering the player character model and animations at all times adds an extra layer of graphical demand that must be optimized for a smooth experience.
Despite these hurdles, the potential payoff for Project Orion is significant. As rumors about the sequel continue to circulate, the question of perspective remains a hot topic. The success of the "Every Animation Redone" mod proves the feature is not only possible but passionately desired. When CD Projekt Red finally unveils more concrete details about Project Orion, perhaps in 2026 or beyond, many in the community will be listening intently for any hint of camera options. Including a third-person view would not just be a new feature; it would be a powerful statement that the sequel is building upon everything—developer vision and community passion—that made Night City unforgettable.