A new job posting from CD Projekt Red strongly suggests that online multiplayer will be a core feature of Cyberpunk 2, the anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. The job description for a “Lead Network Engineer” explicitly states that the successful candidate will “lead their team to develop and optimize multiplayer systems, including matchmaking.”
CD Projekt Red announced this hiring for Cyberpunk 2 on the social media platform X. According to the description, the future “Lead Network Engineer” and their team will play a pivotal role in designing and implementing the network architecture and online systems. They will collaborate to ensure seamless and robust online functionality.
As early as January 2024, CD Projekt co-CEO Adam Badowski had already indicated that the company was considering the inclusion of multiplayer in Cyberpunk 2. It`s worth noting that several years prior, there were plans for a multiplayer mode either as part of Cyberpunk 2077 or as a standalone spin-off. However, this project was ultimately cancelled by CD Projekt Red in 2022 following the notoriously troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020.
The release of Cyberpunk 2 is likely a long way off, as CD Projekt Red is currently focusing on its next major project, The Witcher 4. There`s a possibility that while online multiplayer is currently envisioned for Cyberpunk 2, the development process might introduce changes, much like what happened with Cyberpunk 2077. It`s also crucial to remember that the studio has not yet made any official announcements regarding a multiplayer mode.