As a dedicated denizen of Night City, I've been riding the neon-lit highs and the bug-ridden lows of Cyberpunk 2077 since day one. From that infamous launch, which was a hot mess by any standard, to its redemption arc culminating in the stellar Phantom Liberty expansion, it's been one hell of a ride. Now, in 2026, the buzz is all about what comes next: Project Orion, the not-so-secret sequel. And let me tell you, the latest whispers from CD Projekt Red's hiring desk are painting a picture that's got the entire choomba community on the edge of their seats. The biggest takeaway? It looks like we might finally be getting the multiplayer experience we've been dreaming of since we first laid eyes on that sprawling, merciless city.
The Evidence is in the Job Listings
CDPR isn't being subtle about their new direction. They're actively hunting for talent with specific, telling expertise. The most glaring piece of evidence is a listing for a "Senior Combat Designer." Sure, designing killer combat for a Cyberpunk game is a given—that's their bread and butter. But the real kicker is in the "Nice to Have" section. They're explicitly seeking candidates with experience in multiplayer games. This isn't just a random skill; it's a neon sign pointing towards a fundamental shift in how they're building the next chapter. Pitching and developing engaging combat mechanics takes on a whole new dimension when you have to consider other players in the sandbox. Imagine coordinating a heist with your crew in real-time, covering each other's backs in a chaotic firefight against MaxTac, or even engaging in some not-so-friendly PvP in the Combat Zones. The potential is, frankly, mind-blowing.
What This Could Mean for Gameplay:
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Co-op Story Missions: Tackle gigs and main jobs with your choombas.
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Dynamic World Events: Massive, server-wide events requiring player cooperation (or competition).
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Persistent Crews/Gangs: Form your own edgerunner crew and carve out territory in Night City (or beyond!).
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Social Hubs: Places like the Afterlife could become actual meeting points, not just scripted locations.
Beyond Multiplayer: Expanding the World
But hold on, the multiplayer hints are just one piece of the puzzle. Another fascinating job listing suggests CDPR wants to expand the very ecosystem of their world. They're looking for someone with a strong understanding of both human and animal anatomy. In the original 2077, wildlife was pretty much non-existent in Night City, save for the occasional iguana or cat. This could signal a massive expansion of the game's environments. Are we finally going to get to explore beyond the city limits? The Badlands are mentioned, but we never saw much in the way of fauna. This could mean:
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Hostile mutated creatures in the irradiated wastelands.
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Cybernetically enhanced guard animals for corps.
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Exotic pets for the ultra-rich in more opulent districts.
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A fully realized ecosystem outside the urban sprawl, making the world feel more alive and dangerous.
The State of Play: What We Know About Project Orion
Let's get our facts straight for 2026. CD Projekt Red has been clear that Project Orion is still in the early planning/conceptual stages. We're looking at a release that's likely still several years away. The core team is being assembled right now, which is why these job listings are so telling. They're building the foundation, and multiplayer & expanded world systems seem to be key cornerstones.
A big unanswered question remains: What kind of sequel will it be?
| Possibility | What It Means | My Take |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sequel | Continues V's story or follows another character in Night City shortly after 2077's events. | Possible, but risky. V's story felt pretty definitive, especially with the new ending from Phantom Liberty. |
| New Story, Same City | A brand-new protagonist and storyline set in Night City during a different time period (before or after 2077). | Highly likely. Lets them reuse and expand an iconic setting while telling a fresh tale. |
| New City, New Era | Leaves Night City behind for another location in the Cyberpunk universe, like a rebuilt Europe or the orbital colonies. | The boldest move. That "animal anatomy" hint strongly suggests we might be exploring new, less urbanized biomes. |
Why Multiplayer Makes Sense Now
Look, I get it. After the launch of 2077, the word "multiplayer" might give some fans PTSD. But hear me out. CDPR has spent the last few years in a relentless "redemption arc." They fixed the game, delivered an incredible expansion, and rebuilt trust. They've learned their lessons the hard way. Now, they're building from a position of strength, not hype. The technology and their own pipeline are more mature. Adding multiplayer isn't a tacked-on gimmick; the hiring suggests it's being designed into the core experience from the ground up. The world of Cyberpunk is fundamentally about connections, crews, and the struggle against powerful systems. Playing that out alone is awesome, but playing it with friends? That's the ultimate fantasy.
Final Thoughts: A New Era for Cyberpunk
So, where does that leave us, the fans, in 2026? In a state of extremely cautious optimism. The clues are all there: the call for multiplayer designers, the desire for animal experts, and the sheer ambition CDPR is known for. Project Orion isn't just Cyberpunk 2077 Part 2; it's shaping up to be an evolution. They're taking the incredible foundation of a world, story, and aesthetic we love and asking, "How can we make this a shared experience? How can we make this world feel even more real and vast?"
The road is long, and we'll need to keep our expectations in check—no pre-orders this time until we see solid gameplay, yeah? But one thing's for sure: the future of Night City (and maybe beyond) is looking a lot more social, a lot more alive, and infinitely more promising. Stay tuned, choombas. The next big score is on the horizon. 🚀🔫👾