Sardukhar replied to Our Unofficial FAQ, Developer Answers and Everything We Know Threads. September 13, 2019 @ 2:15:45 pm PDT
For conveniences sake, I gathered the smallest 2 of these - The FAQ and Dev Answers here.
FAQ:
Some of you look shiny-new, so we figured you’d have questions … everybody does. To help out as best we can we've created an unofficial FAQ! All new information from E3 2019 will be in green for a bit. Want a little introduction? Check out the announcement trailer from 2013:
Spoiler: Personal Responsibility
- What is Cyberpunk 2077?
Cyberpunk 2077 is a single player story driven role-playing game being crafted by CD Projekt Red for mature audiences. It is a first person, open world RPG with skills, stats, branching dialogue and player-altered quests. It’s based on the pen and paper role playing game Cyberpunk 2020 by R.Talsorian Games Inc.
- Who is CD Projekt Red?
They're the developers behind the acclaimed Witcher series. In our opinion, they make the best RPGs in gaming. They're also the overlords of this particular Forum (so we may be biased). If you see anyone with a red highlight around their posts here, you've found one of them!
- Do I need to know Cyberpunk 2020 lore?
No! Cyberpunk 2077 is its own thing - although if you are familiar with 2020, you'll find lots of old friends here. The game does share a timeline that stems from its source material.
- What platforms is Cyberpunk 2077 coming out on?
PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
- Let's talk perspective! First Person only?
Yes, First Person Perspective. Not a decision made easily, but at CDPR, story matters most. For CP2077, first person works best for the story they are going to tell us. V will be your character and hopefully, you will become V. If you're just dying to be able to see more of yourself as V, CDPR has been confirmed that there will be an inventory view, mirrors and that the game will have some form of photo-mode.
- Is there going to be VR support?
Currently there are no plans for VR support.
- Any idea whose involved with the game yet?
Keanu Reeves, Cherami Leigh & Gavin Drea are all confirmed to be voicing characters in the game.
- What is the story going to be about?
All we've seen in the promotional materials is that "You play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality." Stanislaw Swiecicki told GamesMaster Magazine "We’re putting all our narrative firepower into allowing gamers to experience their story, one in which their decisions will shape who their character really is ... It goes without question, though, that the dystopian future we’re putting you in is a dark and violent place. Being in control of who you are and having it stay that way is what matters most. You’re never trying to save the world, it’s always about saving yourself.”
- So V ... pre-made character or player-created?
Kyle Rowley told Gamespot that there will be a full character creation system, including customizable body, face, hair and gender. Also, V's back story will be customizable through a Life-Path system. There are no fixed classes. Instead, have the freedom to evolve V as you want him or her to be, whether it be a Netrunner (hacker), Techie (engineer) or Solo (mercenary) or a mix of them all.
- How will character progression work?
As V, you will have attributes which can be improved by leveling up or installing cyberware. These stats include Strength, Constitution, Intelligence, Reflexes, Tech, and Cool. There is no level scaling though according to Kyle Rowley. There will also be skills (which are improved by successfully performing actions) and perks (which can be upgraded using both XP and street cred). You will get Street Cred by completing side missions and jobs in the city. Street Cred is your repuation and will unlock quest givers and vendors as you increase it.
So what difference do these things like stats, skills, class, cyberware and lifepath make?
They all can effect the options available to the play in the minute to minute of gameplay. The "street kid" life path choice can open up an alternate dialogue option in the right moment. Having more strength or cool can make it easier to influence some foes. Having a real time translator makes it so V can understand people speaking foreign languages with subtitles in her optical view. A higher engineering skill might give V more access to dialogue options which allow her to talk shop with a techie.
- How big is the game going to be?
We have no idea how big the city itself is yet ... but we know for sure that it will be different from anything CDPR has done in the past. Night City is much more vertical place.
There are six main districts in Night City, and each has it's own unique feel.
City Center: Night City's biggest pride, this is the heart of corporations, the cluster of neon, and the quintessence of luxury.
Watson: A unique mix of Asian cultures, it is a fallen corporate giant now populated by immigrants, hiding various bazaars and markets in a tangle of narrow alleyways.
Westbrook: Featuring tourist-oriented Japantown, it is a place for the wealthy who like to work hard and play hard.
Heywood: Living in one of the neighborhoods of the predominantly Latino area means you successfully managed to climb the social ladder -- it's a massive suburban housing district, with an underlying gang problem.
Pacifica: On the other end of the spectrum, this is the most dangerous part of town, abandoned and overrun by gang activity. Separated from the rest of the city, it's a place of immense poverty.
Santo Domingo: All of Night City is powered from here, with its countless power plants and industrial factories, stuck in an endless cycle of modernization.
There will also be the Badlands, which is the area surrounding the city, the outskirts. The Badlands have a faction of nomads. "These are people who live on the road most of the time, so they travel between the states and see the wastes, and sometimes they stop for a longer time near specific cities."
Spoiler: NIGHT CITY METRO MAP
- So can we have vehicles?
Yes! Both cars and motorcycles. Driveable in First and Third person. Combat in them too! ( Also, it's been confirmed that aerial vehicles (flying cars) are in Night City, but we'll only be able to fly in them in limited parts of the game.
-Okay. So tell me about Night City?
In the dark future of 2077, “America” is a thing of the past, scrambled into more pieces than you could find in a Tech's workshop. Megacorporations control all aspects of civilized life, and gangs rule the rest.
Gangs rule the rest?
Yes! The gangs in Night City are a big part of the lore in CP2020, and many are represented here. So far we know about Maelstrom, the Voodoo Boys, the Animals, and the Valentinos. They each have their own distinct style and background.
-Sounds pretty miserable, what do people do for fun?
For many Night City residents, crushing poverty and homelessness are significant and likely inescapable problems. Despite this, most are still entranced by the glitz of showbiz and luxurious lifestyles of the privileged elite. Breakthroughs in neural technology paved the way for people to share recordings of their own personal memories and emotions via tech known as “braindance” (or BD). Some BD productions put actors in staged situations to create “false” memories, to give viewers the feeling that they’re living in an action film. Other BDs are simple recordings of a day in the life of the world’s biggest and brightest stars. The ability to “become” a celeb and experience a life of luxury gives many a chance to escape their own miserable reality. As a result, braindance addiction has become an ever-growing problem for the city’s poor. Also, as with all forms of entertainment media, illicit braindance recordings (XBDs) can be found easily in the seedy underbelly of Night City’s black market.
Anything to do in town that’s more based in reality?
Of course! Night City is a diverse place with people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and cultures. As a result, there’s an array of nightlife establishments, each with their own appealing theme and atmosphere.
Are there going to be any mini-games in Cyberpunk 2077?
So far, it has been confirmed there will be a hacking game associated with netrunning, car races, target practice and boxing ... though there may be more.
Does V have a place to stay in the City?
Absolutely. You will be able to buy a couple of apartments in different locations.
How will we interact with other characters in the game?
Lots of ways! You can have conversations with NPCs and interact with them. NPCs are vessels that answer your questions about your choices and how you want to progress through the story, and your relationships with them are important.
How will the conversations work?
CDPR has been calling it the “interactive scene system,” where the player is still allowed agency within scenes. That way the player not only picks the dialogue, but can choose to take various actions within the scene as well, like pull a gun, motion for someone to hide, lean in for a kiss, or stick out a chrome skinned hand for a handshake.
... soooooooo … romances?
Romances are in the game. Some NPCs you will be engaged with long-lasting romances, but some options will include one night stands. (11) Patrick Mills said romances will be "similar to the Witcher, but with more diversity. There are a lot more options. You know, you're defining your own character here, which means defining their sexuality any way you want ... it's up to you to decide. We've got NPCs that are gay, we've got NPCs that are bi, we've got NPCs that are straight, because we want them to feel real and that they have preferences as well."
- How will combat work?
There will be both ranged, melee and stealth combat. CDPR is drawing on their experiences in TW3 for the combat, but adapting it to a modern world and first person perspective.
What kinds of weapons can the player use?
There will be all sorts of weapons, including power weapons, tech weapons and smart weapons. And ways to puzzle solve WITHOUT combat! As far as specific weapons, we've heard about smart rifles (with target tracking bullets), assault rifles, hand guns, sub machine guns, shotguns, sniper rifles, guns installed into V's arm, mantis blades, katanas, nanowires, & beer bottles.
- Is a pacifist play-through possible?
It will be possible to complete the game without killing anyone, but V will sometimes have to use violence to some extent. Night City is a dangerous place after all.
- Is the Net in the game? For hacking and whatnot?
Yes! In the world of Cyberpunk use of the web is common. In Cyberpunk 2077, there is a class of characters called netrunners, who focus on using the net and various digital tricks to get things done. "During missions, you’ll clash with hostile netrunners defending corporate megabuildings—both in cyberspace and in the real world."
Spoiler: Spot Some Apparent Netrunning at the End
- What other tech can we expect to see in the dark future?
In Night City, even though cybernetic prosthetics were originally developed for practical and medical purposes, they’ve since become a matter of lifestyle choice. Cyberware has become as commonplace as tattoos and jewelry. The reasons for installing it are many and varied, including simple tech upgrades, combat enhancements, and even fashion statements. The possession of trendy cyberware has become an integral and defining part of Night City culture. Uniqueness is just another form of currency. To make it big, you need to look the part. Style is everything.
- How much tech can we install?
Close to full body mods will be doable for the player. Arms, legs, spine, etc if so inclined. But we wont be able to become full cyborgs for a variety of reasons. It appears from the 2018 demo (below) that cyberware will have a "humanity cost" associated with it. In CP2020, if you installed too much Cyberware, you would become a "Cyberpsycho" who has completely lost touch with their humanity and control of their actions. We haven't heard how humanity cost will effect gamplay in 2077 yet, but it has been said that Cyberpsychosis will be represented in the game, and that we wont be able to go so far as to lose all control of V.
- Sounds pretty good. Is there anywhere I can see the game in action?
Indeed there is. CDPR dropped a 48 minute gameplay demo in 2018. And one in 2019 as well!
- I like what I'm seeing, when will I be able to get my hands on it?
April 16, 2020. It’s currently available for pre-order.
FAQ:
Some of you look shiny-new, so we figured you’d have questions … everybody does. To help out as best we can we've created an unofficial FAQ! All new information from E3 2019 will be in green for a bit. Want a little introduction? Check out the announcement trailer from 2013:
Spoiler: Personal Responsibility
- What is Cyberpunk 2077?
Cyberpunk 2077 is a single player story driven role-playing game being crafted by CD Projekt Red for mature audiences. It is a first person, open world RPG with skills, stats, branching dialogue and player-altered quests. It’s based on the pen and paper role playing game Cyberpunk 2020 by R.Talsorian Games Inc.
- Who is CD Projekt Red?
They're the developers behind the acclaimed Witcher series. In our opinion, they make the best RPGs in gaming. They're also the overlords of this particular Forum (so we may be biased). If you see anyone with a red highlight around their posts here, you've found one of them!
- Do I need to know Cyberpunk 2020 lore?
No! Cyberpunk 2077 is its own thing - although if you are familiar with 2020, you'll find lots of old friends here. The game does share a timeline that stems from its source material.
- What platforms is Cyberpunk 2077 coming out on?
PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
- Let's talk perspective! First Person only?
Yes, First Person Perspective. Not a decision made easily, but at CDPR, story matters most. For CP2077, first person works best for the story they are going to tell us. V will be your character and hopefully, you will become V. If you're just dying to be able to see more of yourself as V, CDPR has been confirmed that there will be an inventory view, mirrors and that the game will have some form of photo-mode.
- Is there going to be VR support?
Currently there are no plans for VR support.
- Any idea whose involved with the game yet?
Keanu Reeves, Cherami Leigh & Gavin Drea are all confirmed to be voicing characters in the game.
- What is the story going to be about?
All we've seen in the promotional materials is that "You play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality." Stanislaw Swiecicki told GamesMaster Magazine "We’re putting all our narrative firepower into allowing gamers to experience their story, one in which their decisions will shape who their character really is ... It goes without question, though, that the dystopian future we’re putting you in is a dark and violent place. Being in control of who you are and having it stay that way is what matters most. You’re never trying to save the world, it’s always about saving yourself.”
- So V ... pre-made character or player-created?
Kyle Rowley told Gamespot that there will be a full character creation system, including customizable body, face, hair and gender. Also, V's back story will be customizable through a Life-Path system. There are no fixed classes. Instead, have the freedom to evolve V as you want him or her to be, whether it be a Netrunner (hacker), Techie (engineer) or Solo (mercenary) or a mix of them all.
- How will character progression work?
As V, you will have attributes which can be improved by leveling up or installing cyberware. These stats include Strength, Constitution, Intelligence, Reflexes, Tech, and Cool. There is no level scaling though according to Kyle Rowley. There will also be skills (which are improved by successfully performing actions) and perks (which can be upgraded using both XP and street cred). You will get Street Cred by completing side missions and jobs in the city. Street Cred is your repuation and will unlock quest givers and vendors as you increase it.
So what difference do these things like stats, skills, class, cyberware and lifepath make?
They all can effect the options available to the play in the minute to minute of gameplay. The "street kid" life path choice can open up an alternate dialogue option in the right moment. Having more strength or cool can make it easier to influence some foes. Having a real time translator makes it so V can understand people speaking foreign languages with subtitles in her optical view. A higher engineering skill might give V more access to dialogue options which allow her to talk shop with a techie.
- How big is the game going to be?
We have no idea how big the city itself is yet ... but we know for sure that it will be different from anything CDPR has done in the past. Night City is much more vertical place.
There are six main districts in Night City, and each has it's own unique feel.
City Center: Night City's biggest pride, this is the heart of corporations, the cluster of neon, and the quintessence of luxury.
Watson: A unique mix of Asian cultures, it is a fallen corporate giant now populated by immigrants, hiding various bazaars and markets in a tangle of narrow alleyways.
Westbrook: Featuring tourist-oriented Japantown, it is a place for the wealthy who like to work hard and play hard.
Heywood: Living in one of the neighborhoods of the predominantly Latino area means you successfully managed to climb the social ladder -- it's a massive suburban housing district, with an underlying gang problem.
Pacifica: On the other end of the spectrum, this is the most dangerous part of town, abandoned and overrun by gang activity. Separated from the rest of the city, it's a place of immense poverty.
Santo Domingo: All of Night City is powered from here, with its countless power plants and industrial factories, stuck in an endless cycle of modernization.
There will also be the Badlands, which is the area surrounding the city, the outskirts. The Badlands have a faction of nomads. "These are people who live on the road most of the time, so they travel between the states and see the wastes, and sometimes they stop for a longer time near specific cities."
Spoiler: NIGHT CITY METRO MAP
- So can we have vehicles?
Yes! Both cars and motorcycles. Driveable in First and Third person. Combat in them too! ( Also, it's been confirmed that aerial vehicles (flying cars) are in Night City, but we'll only be able to fly in them in limited parts of the game.
-Okay. So tell me about Night City?
In the dark future of 2077, “America” is a thing of the past, scrambled into more pieces than you could find in a Tech's workshop. Megacorporations control all aspects of civilized life, and gangs rule the rest.
Gangs rule the rest?
Yes! The gangs in Night City are a big part of the lore in CP2020, and many are represented here. So far we know about Maelstrom, the Voodoo Boys, the Animals, and the Valentinos. They each have their own distinct style and background.
-Sounds pretty miserable, what do people do for fun?
For many Night City residents, crushing poverty and homelessness are significant and likely inescapable problems. Despite this, most are still entranced by the glitz of showbiz and luxurious lifestyles of the privileged elite. Breakthroughs in neural technology paved the way for people to share recordings of their own personal memories and emotions via tech known as “braindance” (or BD). Some BD productions put actors in staged situations to create “false” memories, to give viewers the feeling that they’re living in an action film. Other BDs are simple recordings of a day in the life of the world’s biggest and brightest stars. The ability to “become” a celeb and experience a life of luxury gives many a chance to escape their own miserable reality. As a result, braindance addiction has become an ever-growing problem for the city’s poor. Also, as with all forms of entertainment media, illicit braindance recordings (XBDs) can be found easily in the seedy underbelly of Night City’s black market.
Anything to do in town that’s more based in reality?
Of course! Night City is a diverse place with people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and cultures. As a result, there’s an array of nightlife establishments, each with their own appealing theme and atmosphere.
Are there going to be any mini-games in Cyberpunk 2077?
So far, it has been confirmed there will be a hacking game associated with netrunning, car races, target practice and boxing ... though there may be more.
Does V have a place to stay in the City?
Absolutely. You will be able to buy a couple of apartments in different locations.
How will we interact with other characters in the game?
Lots of ways! You can have conversations with NPCs and interact with them. NPCs are vessels that answer your questions about your choices and how you want to progress through the story, and your relationships with them are important.
How will the conversations work?
CDPR has been calling it the “interactive scene system,” where the player is still allowed agency within scenes. That way the player not only picks the dialogue, but can choose to take various actions within the scene as well, like pull a gun, motion for someone to hide, lean in for a kiss, or stick out a chrome skinned hand for a handshake.
... soooooooo … romances?
Romances are in the game. Some NPCs you will be engaged with long-lasting romances, but some options will include one night stands. (11) Patrick Mills said romances will be "similar to the Witcher, but with more diversity. There are a lot more options. You know, you're defining your own character here, which means defining their sexuality any way you want ... it's up to you to decide. We've got NPCs that are gay, we've got NPCs that are bi, we've got NPCs that are straight, because we want them to feel real and that they have preferences as well."
- How will combat work?
There will be both ranged, melee and stealth combat. CDPR is drawing on their experiences in TW3 for the combat, but adapting it to a modern world and first person perspective.
What kinds of weapons can the player use?
There will be all sorts of weapons, including power weapons, tech weapons and smart weapons. And ways to puzzle solve WITHOUT combat! As far as specific weapons, we've heard about smart rifles (with target tracking bullets), assault rifles, hand guns, sub machine guns, shotguns, sniper rifles, guns installed into V's arm, mantis blades, katanas, nanowires, & beer bottles.
- Is a pacifist play-through possible?
It will be possible to complete the game without killing anyone, but V will sometimes have to use violence to some extent. Night City is a dangerous place after all.
- Is the Net in the game? For hacking and whatnot?
Yes! In the world of Cyberpunk use of the web is common. In Cyberpunk 2077, there is a class of characters called netrunners, who focus on using the net and various digital tricks to get things done. "During missions, you’ll clash with hostile netrunners defending corporate megabuildings—both in cyberspace and in the real world."
Spoiler: Spot Some Apparent Netrunning at the End
- What other tech can we expect to see in the dark future?
In Night City, even though cybernetic prosthetics were originally developed for practical and medical purposes, they’ve since become a matter of lifestyle choice. Cyberware has become as commonplace as tattoos and jewelry. The reasons for installing it are many and varied, including simple tech upgrades, combat enhancements, and even fashion statements. The possession of trendy cyberware has become an integral and defining part of Night City culture. Uniqueness is just another form of currency. To make it big, you need to look the part. Style is everything.
- How much tech can we install?
Close to full body mods will be doable for the player. Arms, legs, spine, etc if so inclined. But we wont be able to become full cyborgs for a variety of reasons. It appears from the 2018 demo (below) that cyberware will have a "humanity cost" associated with it. In CP2020, if you installed too much Cyberware, you would become a "Cyberpsycho" who has completely lost touch with their humanity and control of their actions. We haven't heard how humanity cost will effect gamplay in 2077 yet, but it has been said that Cyberpsychosis will be represented in the game, and that we wont be able to go so far as to lose all control of V.
- Sounds pretty good. Is there anywhere I can see the game in action?
Indeed there is. CDPR dropped a 48 minute gameplay demo in 2018. And one in 2019 as well!
- I like what I'm seeing, when will I be able to get my hands on it?
April 16, 2020. It’s currently available for pre-order.
September 13, 2019 @ 2:15:45 pm PDT