Time to Fix NCPD Scanner Hustles for Cyberpunk 2077's Sequel

Okay, chooms, let's talk about something that's been bugging me since the first time I booted up Cyberpunk 2077 back in 2020. We all love Night City, right? The neon, the chrome, the stories... but there's one thing that just never fit. I'm talking about those NCPD Scanner Hustles. You know the ones—those little crime scene markers that pop up all over the map. On the surface, they seem like harmless little distractions, a way to earn some extra eddies and loot while you're waiting for that next call. But if you stop and think about them for even a second, the whole concept just falls apart. It completely breaks the immersion of being V, a dying merc with a ticking clock in their head and a deep-seated distrust for the corrupt powers that be.

Think about it. Why on earth would V, of all people, willingly work for the NCPD? Throughout the entire game, we're constantly told—and shown—that the police force is rotten to the core. We see it with River Ward's storyline, we hear about it from every Fixer in town. V doesn't trust cops. Remember the "Sinnerman" quest? Our interactions are fraught with tension and skepticism. So, it makes zero narrative sense that this same V would happily run around Night City doing the NCPD's dirty work, cleaning up their crime scenes and taking out gang members on their behalf. It's like the game wants us to be both an outlaw and a deputized citizen at the same time, and it just doesn't work.

And let's not even get started on the ludonarrative dissonance here. You can literally mow down a dozen civilians in Pacifica, have a five-star police chase, lose them, and then two blocks later, pick up an NCPD hustle where they politely ask you to "secure a crime scene." Come on! The police would be hunting you, not hiring you. It's one of the few aspects of the game's otherwise incredible worldbuilding that feels completely unmoored from logic.

But here's the thing—the core idea isn't bad. Having these little mini-quests scattered around the city is actually a great way to encourage exploration and add flavor to different districts. The problem isn't the activity; it's who it's for.

This is where Project Orion, the sequel, has a massive opportunity to get it right. It's 2026, and we've had years to think about what worked and what didn't. CD Projekt Red can easily transform these Scanner Hustles from immersion-breaking chores into something that actually enhances the role-playing experience.

How Project Orion Can Save Scanner Hustles

The fix is surprisingly simple: cut the NCPD out of the equation. V (or whoever our new protagonist is) should not be taking orders from the police. Instead, these missions should come from the factions we're actually interacting with and building relationships with.

Option 1: Make Them Gang Quests.

This is the most logical alternative. Instead of "Assault in Progress," imagine a prompt from the Moxes or the Valentinos asking for help with a "Territory Takeover." Instead of "Suspected Organized Crime Activity," you get a call to rescue a kidnapped gang member from a rival crew. The gameplay loop stays almost identical—you go to a location, fight some enemies, grab some loot—but the context is completely transformed.

• Makes narrative sense: You're already doing jobs for these gangs through Fixers.

• Enhances role-playing: Your actions could affect your street cred with different factions.

• Uses existing assets: No need to create new mission types, just new flavor text and voice lines.

Option 2: Make Them Mini-Gigs from Fixers.

This is another perfect fit. Fixers like Wakako or Dakota are constantly feeding us work. Why wouldn't they have smaller, less urgent jobs to throw our way? These could be perfect as those scanner hustle activities.

A Fixer Scanner Hustle could involve:

• Tracking down a client's missing property.

• Sending a "message" to a low-level debtor.

• Securing a drop that a rookie runner failed to deliver.

Again, the activities are similar, but they fit seamlessly into the life of a mercenary for hire. It feels like organic work, not a weird civic duty.

The Potential is Huge

Don't get me wrong, I don't want these little world-building moments to disappear. When you actually stop to read the shards and piece together the stories at these crime scenes, they add a dark, gritty layer to Night City. You learn about gang conflicts, corporate espionage, and personal tragedies. That part is brilliant.

The issue is purely the framing. By shifting the source of these missions from the universally distrusted NCPD to the gangs and fixers we already have dynamic relationships with, CD Projekt Red can turn a weakness into a strength. It would:

1. Restore Immersion: Your actions consistently align with your character's role in the world.

2. Deepen Faction Systems: Completing hustles for a gang could grant unique rewards or unlock new dialogue.

3. Make Exploration More Rewarding: Finding these markers would feel like discovering real opportunities, not bureaucratic chores.

Project Orion has the chance to build on the solid foundation of 2077 and create a truly next-gen immersive sim. Learning from small missteps like the NCPD hustles is a big part of that. It doesn't require a massive overhaul—just a smarter, more consistent application of the game's own internal logic.

So, what do you think, chooms? Would you rather be taking orders from the corrupt NCPD, or building your rep with the actual powers of Night City? For the sequel's sake, I really hope CDPR makes the right call. The blueprint for a better, more cohesive experience is already there; they just need to connect the dots.

What's your take? Did the NCPD hustles break the immersion for you too, or did you just ignore them and focus on the main story? Let me know in the comments!