In a move that surprised many within the gaming community, CD Projekt Red has officially confirmed that it has no plans to release a patch for Cyberpunk 2077 to take advantage of the enhanced hardware capabilities of the PlayStation 5 Pro. This decision signals the definitive end of post-launch development for the ambitious first-person RPG, which has become synonymous with pushing technological boundaries, particularly on the PC platform. Despite its redemption story following a notoriously troubled launch, the console versions of Cyberpunk 2077, including the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X iterations, have never fully realized the visual potential showcased by the PC version running with maximum settings and advanced ray tracing enabled. The studio's focus has now irrevocably shifted to future projects, primarily The Witcher 4, leaving Night City to shine as it currently does on modern consoles.
The Unfulfilled Potential of Console Versions
The journey of Cyberpunk 2077 on consoles has been a tale of two cities. From its inception, the game was a visual marvel on high-end PCs, boasting a vast, dense open world, intricately detailed character models, and industry-leading ray tracing technology that brought the neon-drenched streets of Night City to life with unparalleled vibrancy and realism. However, this pinnacle of graphical fidelity was never truly attainable on the base PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with the PS4 version suffering from such severe technical issues that it was temporarily removed from the PlayStation Store.
The situation improved markedly with the release of the Phantom Liberty expansion and the dedicated current-gen console updates. These patches allowed Cyberpunk 2077 to run on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X at higher resolutions and with greater visual clarity, offering a significantly more stable and polished experience. Nonetheless, these enhancements still fell short of the raw, uncompromising graphical power exhibited by the PC version. Given CD Projekt Red's commendable track record of revitalizing its back catalog—as demonstrated by the impressive next-gen update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt—many fans harbored hopes for a similar, final technological boost for Cyberpunk 2077 on the more powerful PS5 Pro hardware.
Why a PS5 Pro Patch Isn't Happening
The core reason for the lack of a PS5 Pro patch is straightforward: the development cycle for Cyberpunk 2077 is conclusively over. Following the launch of Phantom Liberty and a final series of quality-of-life updates, CD Projekt Red deemed the game to be in a "content complete" state, with its narrative and mechanical arcs fully realized. The studio has since moved all its resources and personnel to new ventures. The primary focus is now squarely on the development of The Witcher 4 (codenamed Polaris), which has entered a critical production phase requiring the entire studio's attention. Other unannounced projects are also in the pipeline, leaving no team available to dedicate time to further enhancing a title considered feature-complete.
This decision stands in contrast to actions taken by other publishers. For instance, Ubisoft recently released a surprise update for the much older Assassin's Creed Syndicate, and Sony has provided patches for several of its first-party legacy titles to ensure compatibility with new hardware. The absence of such support for a marquee title like Cyberpunk 2077 is therefore seen by some as a missed opportunity for goodwill.
The Case for a Final Enhancement
From the perspective of community engagement and the game's long-term legacy, a dedicated PS5 Pro patch would have been a highly valuable endeavor. While it may not have won back the most ardent critics still disillusioned by the game's launch state, it would have served as a powerful, final statement of CD Projekt Red's commitment to its vision. It would have been a technological flourish to cap off the game's remarkable recovery, rather than dashing the hopes of the dedicated player base that continues to explore Night City.
For players deeply invested in the world—those on their second or third playthrough, or those yet to experience the new endings introduced by Phantom Liberty—the prospect of experiencing Night City with enhanced fidelity is a compelling one. The game's visual splendor, when maxed out, is undeniable: dynamic lighting, hyper-realistic character models, and an unparalleled sense of scale and atmosphere create an immersive experience few games can match. While the PS5 Pro would not rival a top-tier gaming PC, even a partial step toward that visual ideal would have been a significant boon for console enthusiasts hoping to see their favorite dystopian metropolis rendered in the best possible light on their hardware.
| Platform | Visual Fidelity Peak | Ray Tracing Support | Post-2025 Support Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-End PC | Maximum (Ultra Settings) | Full Path Tracing | Community Mods Only |
| PlayStation 5 Pro | High (No dedicated patch) | Limited (via backward compatibility) | No planned updates |
| PlayStation 5 / Xbox Series X | Very High | Standard Ray Tracing Modes | Final update was Phantom Liberty |
| Base PlayStation 4 | Low (Performance Issues) | None | No longer supported |
Looking to the Future
As of 2026, Cyberpunk 2077 remains a landmark title in the role-playing genre, celebrated for its deep narrative, complex characters, and immersive world-building. Its technological journey, however, has reached its terminus on consoles. The decision to forgo a PS5 Pro patch underscores a clear studio priority: to channel all creative and technical energy into the future, particularly the next chapter in The Witcher saga. For fans, Night City will persist as it was left after the 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty—a rich, visually impressive world, but one whose final form on console will forever be a step removed from the breathtaking zenith demonstrated on PC. The legacy of Cyberpunk 2077 is now one of narrative and experiential depth, rather than ongoing graphical evolution on new hardware.