The development of Project Orion, the hotly-anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, is already fueling a supernova of fan theories and rumors in 2026. After one of gaming's greatest comebacks, the pressure is on for CD Projekt Red to deliver something truly next-level. While Cyberpunk 2077's Night City was a masterclass in dystopian verticality, whispers suggest Project Orion might be aiming for a different kind of high—literally. The most tantalizing rumor? That the sequel could finally break orbit and take players to a Moon-based colony, an idea once considered for a scrapped DLC. If V's next adventure does go interplanetary, there's one game the devs absolutely must study for inspiration: Starfield, but not for its exploration—for its incredible spaceship customization.
Let's rewind a bit. Remember those leaks about a canceled Cyberpunk 2077 Moon DLC? 💀 The concept was reportedly axed early on, but many now believe it wasn't discarded—it was vaulted for the sequel. This makes perfect sense. A lunar colony is the ultimate cyberpunk flex: a gated community for the ultra-rich, a corporate black site, or a lawless frontier for tech scavengers. It's a narrative goldmine. But beyond the story potential, leaving Night City's atmospheric confines opens up a whole new dimension for gameplay, especially when it comes to vehicles.
Cyberpunk 2077 had cool cars and bikes, sure. The 2.11 update even tossed us a bone with basic vehicle customization. But let's be real—it was pretty barebones. If Project Orion gives us the keys to a spacecraft, that customization needs to go from zero to hero. And that's where Starfield's legacy shines bright. Bethesda's RPG might have had its critics, but its ship-building system was almost universally praised as a creative playground.
Why Starfield's Ship Customization is the Blueprint 🛠️
Think about it. Starfield's system wasn't just about stats; it was about expression. Players didn't just build efficient ships; they built memes, tributes, and flying works of art.
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Hot Dog Ships 🌭
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Perfect Star Wars Replicas 🚀
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Bizarre, Structurally Questionable Behemoths 👽
The joy came from the sheer freedom to cobble together Habs, engines, and wings in wildly illogical yet beautiful ways. Now, transplant that philosophy into the cyberpunk aesthetic—a world defined by outrageous consumerism, corpo-branded everything, and street-level flair. The potential is insane!
Imagine crafting your own unique ride:
| Cyberpunk Style | Potential Ship Customization |
|---|---|
| Corpo Executive | Sleek, Arasaka-branded shuttle with gold trim and built-in AV boardroom. |
| Nomad Clan | A patched-together, heavily armored freighter, covered in scavenged parts and clan graffiti. |
| Street Kid | A fast, noisy hover-bike equivalent for space, covered in neon and stolen corporate tech. |
| Media | A mobile broadcast van with massive antennae and sensor arrays for "investigative reporting." |
This isn't just about looking cool (though it definitely is). Deep vehicle customization is a powerful immersion tool. In a world obsessed with materialism and status, your ship becomes your ultimate statement. It's your mobile home, your weapon, and your reputation all rolled into one. Project Orion could take the core themes of excess and identity from the first game and literally launch them into orbit.
Beyond the Moon: A Foundation for Everything 🏍️
Okay, let's say the Moon rumors are just that—rumors. Maybe Project Orion stays firmly grounded in a new, sprawling metropolis on Earth. Starfield's lessons are still invaluable. The underlying principles of its modular, creative customization could revolutionize how we interact with all vehicles in the sequel.
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Ground Cars: Go beyond paint jobs. Swap out engines for different sounds and performance, install hidden compartments, add exterior neon kits, or even modify internal layouts.
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Motorcycles: Attach different types of wheels (for off-road or street), change handlebars and exhaust pipes, or add cosmetic (or functional) body armor.
The 2.11 update was a promising prototype. Project Orion needs to be the full, feature-complete vision. Giving players this level of creative control makes the world feel more lived-in and personal. You're not just buying a car; you're building a part of your character's story.
As development churns on in the Boston CD Projekt Red studio, the rumor mill will keep spinning. We might get a Moon colony, we might not. But one hope remains crystal clear: for Project Orion to truly feel like the next evolution of the cyberpunk fantasy, it needs to give us the tools to craft our own slice of that future, whether it's on the rainy streets of a new city or in the silent vacuum of space. And the best toolbox for that job is already floating out there, waiting to be reverse-engineered with a dose of cyberpsychosis and chrome. The future of customization is modular, personal, and wildly excessive—just like Night City itself. 🏙️➡️🌕