CD Projekt Red can’t afford another delay of Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most anticipated games of this decade. It is a sci-fi RPG set in a dystopian future where technology, crime, and corruption rule. It is developed by CD Projekt Red, the acclaimed studio behind The Witcher series. It features a vast open world, a branching storyline, a customizable character, and Keanu Reeves as a digital ghost.
However, Cyberpunk 2077 has also been plagued by numerous delays. The game was originally announced in 2012, with a release date set for April 2020. Since then, it has been pushed back four times, to September 2020, November 2020, December 2020, and finally to December 10th, 2020. The reasons for these delays include polishing, bug fixing, optimizing, testing, and adapting to different platforms.
These delays have had serious consequences for both CD Projekt Red and its fans. They have damaged the developer’s reputation and finances, compromised the game’s quality and performance, and jeopardized the game’s reception and sales. In this article, we will explore why CD Projekt Red can’t afford another delay of Cyberpunk 2077.
The impact of delays on CD Projekt Red’s reputation and finances
One of the main effects of the delays is that they have eroded CD Projekt Red’s credibility and trustworthiness in the gaming industry and community. CD Projekt Red has built a reputation as one of the most respected and beloved developers in the world, thanks to its high-quality games, consumer-friendly practices, and passionate communication. However, by repeatedly breaking its promises and missing its deadlines, CD Projekt Red has lost some of its goodwill and respect among gamers and peers.
Another effect of the delays is that they have hurt CD Projekt Red’s stock price and revenue projections. CD Projekt Red is a publicly traded company on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, and its share value has fluctuated significantly in response to the delays. According to Bloomberg, CD Projekt Red’s stock price dropped by as much as 25% after announcing the latest delay in October 2020. Moreover, according to Reuters, CD Projekt Red lowered its revenue forecast for 2020 by about 8%, from $780 million to $720 million.
A third effect of the delays is that they have strained CD Projekt Red’s relationship with its partners, investors, and regulators. For instance, according to IGN, some retailers started selling physical copies of the game before the official launch date, which could spoil the game for other players and cause legal issues. Additionally, according to GamesIndustry.biz, some investors filed a lawsuit against CD Projekt Red, accusing it of misleading them about the state of the game and causing them to incur losses. Furthermore, according to Eurogamer, some regulators in Poland launched an investigation into CD Projekt Red, to check if it violated consumer protection laws and if it faces any penalties.
The impact of delays on Cyberpunk 2077’s quality and performance
Besides affecting CD Projekt Red’s image and income, the delays have also impacted Cyberpunk 2077’s development and testing process. CD Projekt Red has stated that one of the main reasons for the delays is to ensure that the game meets its high standards of quality and polish. However, this also means that the developers have been working under immense pressure and crunch, which could affect their health and creativity. According to Bloomberg, some CD Projekt Red employees have been working overtime for months, even after the company promised to avoid mandatory crunch.
Another aspect of Cyberpunk 2077’s quality and performance that has been affected by the delays is its optimization and compatibility across different platforms and devices. Cyberpunk 2077 is a very ambitious and complex game, with stunning graphics, dynamic gameplay, and rich content. However, this also makes it very demanding and challenging to run smoothly on various hardware configurations, especially on older consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. According to Kotaku, CD Projekt Red admitted that the performance of the game on these consoles was one of the main reasons for the latest delay.
A final aspect of Cyberpunk 2077’s quality and performance that has been affected by the delays is its content and features, such as DLCs, multiplayer, and mod support. Cyberpunk 2077 is not only a single-player game, but also a live service that aims to provide continuous updates and expansions for its players. However, due to the delays, some of these content and features have been postponed or canceled. According to PC Gamer, CD Projekt Red announced that it would reveal its plans for DLCs and multiplayer after the game’s launch, instead of before as originally planned. Moreover, according to Screen Rant, CD Projekt Red confirmed that it would not support mods at launch, and that it would depend on the community’s interest and feedback.
The impact of delays on Cyberpunk 2077’s reception and sales
The final consequence of the delays is that they have influenced Cyberpunk 2077’s marketing and promotion strategy. CD Projekt Red has invested a lot of resources and effort into creating hype and buzz for the game, through trailers, interviews, events, merchandise, and collaborations. However, by delaying the game multiple times, CD Projekt Red has also risked losing some of its momentum and excitement among its potential customers. According to GamesRadar, CD Projekt Red acknowledged that the delays had a negative impact on its marketing campaigns, and that it had to adjust its plans accordingly.
Another outcome of the delays is that they have affected Cyberpunk 2077’s pre-orders and refunds policy. Pre-orders are a key indicator of a game’s popularity and demand, as well as a source of revenue for the developer. However, by delaying the game repeatedly, CD Projekt Red has also disappointed some of its loyal fans who pre-ordered the game in advance, and who may have requested refunds or canceled their orders. According to VG247, CD Projekt Red reported that it had received more than 8 million pre-orders for Cyberpunk 2077 as of December 8th, 2020, but it did not disclose how many refunds or cancellations it had processed.
A final result of the delays is that they have impacted Cyberpunk 2077’s reviews and ratings from critics and players. Reviews and ratings are another important measure of a game’s quality and success, as they can influence the opinions and decisions of other potential buyers. However, by delaying the game until the last minute, CD Projekt Red has also limited the access and availability of review copies for journalists and influencers, especially for console versions. According to Polygon, CD Projekt Red only provided PC review codes before the launch date, which prevented many reviewers from testing the game on other platforms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cyberpunk 2077 is a highly anticipated game that has faced many delays due to various reasons. These delays have had serious consequences for both CD Projekt Red and its fans. They have damaged the developer’s reputation and finances, compromised the game’s quality and performance, and jeopardized the game’s reception and sales. Therefore, CD Projekt Red can’t afford another delay of Cyberpunk 2077, as it would risk losing more of its customers, partners, investors, and regulators. Cyberpunk 2077 is a game that has been in the making for almost a decade, and it deserves to be released in the best possible condition. We hope that CD Projekt Red will deliver on its promise and that Cyberpunk 2077 will live up to its hype and expectations.
What do you think about Cyberpunk 2077 and its delays? Are you still excited to play the game or have you lost interest? Do you trust CD Projekt Red to fix the issues and improve the game? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
FAQs
What is Cyberpunk 2077?
Cyberpunk 2077 is a sci-fi RPG developed by CD Projekt Red, the studio behind The Witcher series. It is set in a dystopian future where technology, crime, and corruption rule. It features a vast open world, a branching storyline, a customizable character, and Keanu Reeves as a digital ghost.
When will Cyberpunk 2077 be released?
Cyberpunk 2077 is scheduled to be released on December 10th, 2020, after being delayed four times. It will be available for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Stadia.
Why was Cyberpunk 2077 delayed?
Cyberpunk 2077 was delayed for various reasons, such as polishing, bug fixing, optimizing, testing, and adapting to different platforms. CD Projekt Red stated that it wanted to ensure that the game meets its high standards of quality and polish.
How did the delays affect CD Projekt Red and its fans?
The delays affected CD Projekt Red and its fans in many ways. They damaged the developer’s reputation and finances, compromised the game’s quality and performance, and jeopardized the game’s reception and sales. They also disappointed and frustrated many fans who pre-ordered the game or waited for it for a long time.
Will Cyberpunk 2077 have DLCs, multiplayer, and mod support?
Cyberpunk 2077 will have DLCs, multiplayer, and mod support in the future. However, due to the delays, some of these content and features have been postponed or canceled. CD Projekt Red announced that it would reveal its plans for DLCs and multiplayer after the game’s launch, instead of before as originally planned. Moreover, CD Projekt Red confirmed that it would not support mods at launch, and that it would depend on the community’s interest and feedback.