CD Projekt’s Cyberpunk 2077 follow-up, codenamed Project Orion, remains under wraps, but Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith recently shared intriguing new details.

At the Digital Dragons 2025 conference, Pondsmith, who collaborated extensively with CD Projekt on the blockbuster Cyberpunk 2077, which sold 30 million copies, and supported its 2020 launch, discussed his role in Project Orion.

Pondsmith noted he’s less involved this time but still reviews scripts and has visited CD Projekt to assess progress.

“Last week, I was exploring various departments, checking out their work. They showed me new cyberware, asking, ‘What do you think?’ I said, ‘That looks solid, it fits well.’ ”

He then revealed a key detail about the sequel: it introduces a new city alongside Night City from Cyberpunk 2077. Pondsmith described this new location as “like a dystopian Chicago.”

“I spoke with one of the environment designers about the new setting in Orion. There’s another city we explore — I won’t say more, but Night City remains. Looking at it, I got the vibe they’re aiming for, and it works. It’s not Blade Runner; it’s more like a Chicago that’s gone off the rails. I told them, ‘This feels right.’ ”

Pondsmith’s comments don’t confirm a futuristic Chicago but suggest a city with a similar dystopian atmosphere. Whether it’s a reimagined Chicago remains unconfirmed.

Questions linger about whether the sequel will expand Night City from Cyberpunk 2077 or present a new version, and how playable each city will be. While details are scarce, the sequel may feature two fully realized, explorable cities.

Every CD Projekt Red Game In Development

While CD Projekt prioritizes The Witcher 4, it has established a Boston studio to develop Project Orion. Earlier this year, 84 of its 707 staff were assigned to Orion, which remains in the conceptual stage. Significant changes are possible, and the game is likely years away.

A new Cyberpunk animation project is also in development for Netflix, following the success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077 is slated for release on Nintendo Switch 2 soon.