Phantom Liberty Game Director Says Cyberpunk 2077 Successor Is in the ‘Fun Phase’ of Development

To the Stars

CD Projekt Red’s journey from the rocky launch of Cyberpunk 2077 to the successful release of Phantom Liberty showcases a remarkable turnaround. This transformation wasn’t just about fixing bugs; it was about rebuilding team morale and establishing a foundation for future success. Game director Gabe Amatangelo emphasized this point in his 2024 DICE Summit talk, highlighting the crucial role of fostering a positive and trusting environment within the development team. He stressed the need for meticulous contingency planning, with multiple backup strategies for every conceivable eventuality. Amatangelo further underscored the importance of perspective – viewing the game from the player’s perspective, anticipating their desires, and ultimately, not disappointing them.

The Fun Phase

Project Orion, the next Cyberpunk installment, is currently in what Amatangelo describes as the “fun phase” of development. This phase focuses primarily on ideation, concept art, story outlines, and prototyping. It’s a period of exploration, pipeline setup, and the initial brainstorming of diverse story ideas, much of which happens concurrently. While clear delineation of development phases is not always strict, Project Orion appears to be firmly entrenched in this creative and exploratory stage. Amatangelo, while not providing concrete details, revealed that the team was actively prototyping and experimenting with various aspects of the game, including its core mechanics and narrative threads. He pointed to the importance of this phase in ensuring the eventual success of Project Orion.

The Future of Cyberpunk

CD Projekt Red’s decision to establish a new studio in Boston signals a commitment to the long-term future of the Cyberpunk franchise. Facing industry-wide challenges, including layoffs and economic uncertainty, the new studio is looking to attract and retain talent. Amatangelo’s approach to mitigating crunch in the new studio is a critical aspect of the endeavor. Similar to the techniques used in Phantom Liberty, he emphasizes proactive planning and flexibility, fostering a collaborative environment where team members can help one another. This includes the ability to allocate time for rest and rejuvenation. Amatangelo also acknowledged the challenges of launching in a new location and the importance of adapting to the contemporary landscape of game development.

Lessons Learned

• Rebuilding Trust: Fostering a supportive and trusting environment within the development team is crucial, especially after a significant setback.
• Positive Focus: Highlighting the positive aspects of the launch, even after perceived failures, can significantly boost morale and motivation.
• Empowering QA: Involving the quality assurance team closely throughout the development process, from initial ideation to final release, can be immensely beneficial.
• Player-Centric Design: Understanding the player’s perspective and anticipating their desires are fundamental to creating an engaging and satisfying game experience.
• Contingency Planning: Multiple backup plans, shared across all levels of the development team, are crucial for mitigating unexpected challenges.

AI and the Future of Game Development

While Amatangelo expressed optimism about the potential of AI in game development for routine tasks, he also expressed concerns about potential misuse. He believes AI’s role in game development should be in supporting the creative process, automating less desirable tasks, and not replacing the human element. He envisions AI helping to reduce the workload on developers, enabling them to dedicate more time and energy to the truly creative elements of game design, like narrative, story, and character development. This would lead to more satisfying and meaningful work for developers overall.

Looking Ahead

Despite acknowledging the uncertainties and challenges in the current gaming industry, Amatangelo is optimistic about the future of Project Orion. He views the current “fun phase” as a critical foundation, allowing the team to lay the groundwork for a successful launch. Amatangelo’s focus on rebuilding trust, adopting proactive contingency plans, and prioritizing player-centric design are key to this success. The journey, even though still many years in the future, is set on a path toward a more successful and satisfying game experience for players.