It seems that multiplayer is one of the elements now delayed as CDPR continues this adjustment period, meaning it could possibly join the rest of the cut content in the bin. However, it’s unclear that if CDPR’s most recent statement regarding Cyberpunk 2077’s multiplayer means it’s delayed or altogether canceled. In the same strategy meeting, CDPR outlined that it wishes to bring multiplayer to all of its franchises, but only offered a vague statement that it’s “reconsidering” the multiplayer mode, possibly implying that players should no longer expect it to release at all.
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Why Cyberpunk 2077’s Multiplayer Mode Might Be Canceled
Some think it would be a wise decision for CDPR to completely cancel Cyberpunk 2077’s multiplayer mode. Much of Cyberpunk 2077’s bug-related issues such as rendering and crashing are due to the limitations of older hardware found in the PS4 and Xbox One. This is why players on the previous generation had a much harder time playing the game than those lucky enough to get their hands on a PS5 or Xbox Series X, as well as PC players with up-to-date specs.
Adding online capabilities into the mix, even after Cyberpunk 2077’s Version 1.2 update, would likely make problems like rendering worse. It’s hard to imagine that these issues will cease to exist completely unless CDPR decides to roll back the graphics and lack of loading screens as the hardware in the PS4 and Xbox One cannot be upgraded. But getting rid of the epidemic of bugs found in Cyberpunk 2077 is the developer’s biggest priority, if not to return to the strong reputation it had before Cyberpunk’s launch.
Not only is there still a lot of issues that need tending to, but CDPR still has a roadmap with free and paid DLC to satisfy. It’s true that CDPR’s strength lies within its single-player experience, such as with Witcher 3, so it’s more important for the developer to focus on fixing the single-player mode before moving onto a multiplayer mode.
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The Future of Cyberpunk 2077’s Multiplayer Mode
While many players believe that Cyberpunk 2077’s multiplayer is entirely canceled, or at least should be, another possibility is that multiplayer will be integrated into the game and will no longer exist as a standalone. Even though many viewers, including investors, were confused by CDPR’s announcement to reconsider multiplayer, the developer said it plans to add online capabilities into all of its franchises, which includes Cyberpunk 2077.
Additionally, multiplayer was some of the content CDPR promised, even though it had previously planned it to be a separate standalone title. The developer would likely receive more backlash if it announced a full cancellation of the multiplayer mode, so it’s most likely looking for a way to integrate multiplayer in a way that’s most beneficial for the studio while satisfying any players possibly looking forward to it.
In fact, adding a multiplayer mode onto a game that many people have already purchased as a sort of two-for-deal might actually make it up to some players because it means they won’t need to purchase an entirely separate game to get the experience, but rather, they might already own the game needed to do so. Ultimately, it’s unclear what CDPR’s plans are for Cyberpunk 2077’s multiplayer. The developer hasn’t yet announced a firm cancelation but did explain its plans to integrate online capabilities into all of its franchises, meaning players can still hold out hope for some form of multiplayer in Cyberpunk 2077.
Cyberpunk 2077 is out now on PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions coming later this year.
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