Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer confirmed by CD Projekt RED

As we predicted years ago, Cyberpunk 2077 is getting a multiplayer mode of some kind.

Today CD Projekt RED confirmed its massively ambitious new sci-fi RPG FPS will have an online multiplayer mode. The studio told Polish website Bankier that a multiplayer component is currently in development, and its new 40-person team in Wroclaw, Poland is working on the project.

It's possible Cyberpunk 2077's multiplayer isn't attached to the base singleplayer project, and may be sold as a separate game entirely. It could even be a free-to-play spin-off. It's more likely that the mode will compliment singleplayer and require the base game, similar to GTA V and GTA Online.

This isn't a new development; CD Projekt RED always had multiplayer in mind while making Cyberpunk 2077.

Back in 2016, CD Projekt RED filed for a grant from the Polish government and outlined its vision for Cyberpunk 2077. In the document, CDPR described a living, breathing city with real-time AI, flying cars, and seamless multiplayer.

Here's an excerpt from the filing:

• Seamless Multiplayer: complex technology for making unique multiplayer gameplay mechanics, including the ability to search for opponents, manage game session, replicate objects, and support for different game modes along with a unique set of dedicated tools.

Multiplayer has always been part of Cyberpunk 2077's ambitious scope.

The obvious question now is: How will it be monetized? Probably with cosmetics. Remember Cyberpunk 2077 has a galaxy of customization options to choose from, some of which are just stylistic and don't actually affect gameplay.

CDPR CEO Marcin Iwinski says the company wants to experiment with live service games, but big story-driven singleplayer experiences always come first. Don't expect to see Cyberpunk 2077 being watered down and pieces carved out to be sold later via slow drip-feed monetization in the multiplayer mode.

"In terms of online experiences, we have some in R&D and we definitely would like to learn more with Gwent, our Witcher card game. It's a huge learning lesson for us in terms of how to operate the live game and how to get constant updates. Having said that, we are fully focusing and committed to storytelling and epic experiences," Iwinski said in a E3 2019 interview.

Cyberpunk 2077 is just the beginning, though.

CD Projekt RED's next game after Cyberpunk 2077 is another big-budget AAA RPG set in the Cyberpunk universe. The Witcher isn't returning any time soon, the company confirmed today.

Cyberpunk 2077 releases on April 16, 2020 for PS4, Xbox One and PC. The multiplayer mode hasn't been made public yet, and CDPR hasn't released exact details. We should expect more info in 2020 and an announcement of the next Cyberpunk game in the same year.