Cyberpunk 2077 from the makers of The Witcher

[Blackhawk]

I guess Im not educated enough to ever to have had a job where the company forces mandatory overtime of 12 hour days 7 days a week for months and you sleep under your desk and stuff.

Neither have I. That wasn't what I was saying. I said that every non-fast-food job I've ever had has had times when things got particularly busy where mandatory overtime was the norm. I don't have any objection to a game company having mandatory overtime when their schedule ended up being off. Reno, working in the casinos. Hot August Nights (huge event) is coming up! Guess what - next week, 12 hour shifts, no days off, mandatory. Shrug.

I do have an issue with development companies using extreme extended hours as part of their plan from the beginning as a way to squeeze more work out of their staff without increasing their budget or extending their deadline. The very type of bull that made game development crunch such a big issue. But that doesn't mean that any form of increased hours is automatically evil.

And they can't always take more time. A new console launch, Black Friday, Christmas. They lost one of those with the last delay, another with this delay. I can't imagine that missing Christmas is something that they can afford to do.

[Rumpy]

It's all in how it's handled. Personally, I can't think of a business that I've ever worked in where a 'big event' couldn't result in mandatory overtime. I still think that's a far cry from the horror stories that made this an issue - people seeing their families once a week, sleeping at work, and doing so for the last six months of the development cycle. Not because the deadlines got close and their planning was a bit off, but because they intended it to be that way from the beginning. That's just not what I'm seeing reported here.

Ok, I think you might mean a company like EA who has a pretty bad reputation for stuff like that. I agree. But I think there are two different types of crunch. There's the persistent type, and then the ramping up for release. I think Ironrod might be able to perhaps shine the light on industry practices, but it seems to me with games only getting bigger, the concept of crunch has only gotten more prevalent, at least the word about them seems to have been come out more as of late, but we don't know how far back the practice dates. I think both are bad for workers, but I do agree that it's been blown way out of proportion.

[gbasden]

I guess Im not educated enough to ever to have had a job where the company forces mandatory overtime of 12 hour days 7 days a week for months and you sleep under your desk and stuff.

Neither have I. That wasn't what I was saying. I said that every non-fast-food job I've ever had has had times when things got particularly busy where mandatory overtime was the norm. I don't have any objection to a game company having mandatory overtime when their schedule ended up being off. Reno, working in the casinos. Hot August Nights (huge event) is coming up! Guess what - next week, 12 hour shifts, no days off, mandatory. Shrug.

I do have an issue with development companies using extreme extended hours as part of their plan from the beginning as a way to squeeze more work out of their staff without increasing their budget or extending their deadline. The very type of bull that made game development crunch such a big issue. But that doesn't mean that any form of increased hours is automatically evil.

And they can't always take more time. A new console launch, Black Friday, Christmas. They lost one of those with the last delay, another with this delay. I can't imagine that missing Christmas is something that they can afford to do.

I had an issue when I was providing support for the main IT organization for the State of California. They hosted about half of the state mailboxes, and we ran into a situation where randomly people would get disconnected and be unable to reconnect for a period of time. It ended up being a network problem (of course, it's always the network) but I spent a little more than a month working 7 days a week, 8-12 or more hours a day. It was a critical problem that was affecting many of the state employees - of course I was going to put in that time. I've had some other periods where I put in significant time for a few weeks, but that one was the worst.

And yes, forcing your people to crunch for months at a time is horribad. Crunch for the final month of the project when you *have* to hit a Christmas release is totally understandable.

[Paingod]

Crunch for the final month of the project when you *have* to hit a Christmas release is totally understandable.

I have no qualms with legitimate, real deadlines for sales projections in critical moments like Christmas to keep a business alive. When a business is pushing on principle and as part of a standard is where I draw the line.

I don't think pushes to meet deadlines makes good games as a standard, though. I can kind of understand it as a "business" choice, but when entertainment is your business model you need to ensure people actually enjoy your finished product or they start avoiding you. No one enjoys buggy, broken games that were rushed out the door by exhausted teams.

[wonderpug]

No one enjoys buggy, broken games that were rushed out the door by exhausted teams.

I keep thinking of the No Man's Sky release as the likely alternate timeline for an earlier Cyberpunk release.

[Daehawk]

CP77k is so big of a release Im starting to see other stuff being pushed back because it it's delayed release.

Blue's LINK

In an update on Kickstarter, ROCKFISH Games announces they are pushing back Early Access to EVERSPACE 2 from mid-December until January. As with the new Path of Exile patch, the setback is to clear out of the way of the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 after the announcement that CD PROJEKT RED's sci-fi RPG is delayed until December 10th. As a consolation, they are offering all eligible backers the chance to join a closed beta starting on Monday, where they will be able to experience the first 10 hours or so of this open-world space shooter/RPG. Here's word:

Let’s get the cyber elephant out of the room right away: The Cyberpunk 2077 release has just been pushed back to December 10, which is a major blow to our planned EVERSPACE 2 Early Access release in mid-December. Not only will every media outlet and content creator cover the arguably most-anticipated AAA game in history throughout the entire holiday season (and not much else), we also know that there’s quite a bit of audience overlap within our community (and our team), so...

After a quick consultation with our marketing friends at Evolve PR, Plan Of Attack, and Swordfish PR, we’ve decided to push back the EVERSPACE 2 Early Access release to January. We know that sucks, but hear us out! There’s actually some good in this.

[coopasonic]

But CP says it's no big thang!

[Carpet_pissr]

But CP says it's no big thang!

Hey now.
I was merely wondering WHY a game that no one has played is having the impact it is (also, in the absence of GreenGoo (what happened to him BTW?), somebody needs to ramp up the angry cynicism around here.
Just trying to suss out if this hype (and again, it may well turn out to be DESERVED hype (and I hope it is) is just marketing or something else (that I obviously am missing).

I also assume I am overthinking this, like I do with EVERY. FUCKING. THING, so feel free to ignore my rambling navel gazing commentary.

[coopasonic]

Just poking at you. Obviously we aren't the only ones excited about this if other studios are moving their games out of the blast radius.

[hitbyambulance]

i'm sure this really needed another three... most likely six... more months to really bake, but there were financial realities to meet with a release this year. i'm hopeful many post-release patches are yet to come (and with CDPR's record, this is very likely)

[Carpet_pissr]

Just poking at you. Obviously we aren't the only ones excited about this if other studios are moving their games out of the blast radius.

Yeah, I know, and to answer my own question, as someone mentioned upthread, it's this dev's prior releases that is causing the hype. I totally accept that as a legit, hype-worthy reason.

And now that you all have my blessing, you may continue to drool in anticipation until release day.

[Blackhawk]

CP77k

Cyberpunk 77,000 has been announced already?

[wonderpug]

I was merely wondering WHY a game that no one has played is having the impact it is (also, in the absence of GreenGoo (what happened to him BTW?),

The Witcher games are critically acclaimed and extremely well received by fans. Would the tv series have been made if the game wasn't so successful? Personally I doubt it, so in my mind the game's success in large part was huge enough to launch a big budget miniseries with high profile actors in it.

So if this game coming out was 'just' Witcher 4, it would be big news. But all signs are pointing to Cyberpunk being a big improvement over what they did with Witcher 3. The side quests in Witcher 3 were really detailed and fleshed out, and supposedly the Cyberpunk side quests put Witcher 3 to shame.

But instead of Witcher 4, it's an open world RPG in a sci fi cyberpunk setting. "Oh no, not another cyberpunk game," said nobody. It's a really interesting yet little explored game setting, and a lot of people are extra excited about having an open world Blade Runner game.

So yeah, studio with a great track record, promised improvements over a game that was already fantastic, and a new and interesting setting that we don't see much of in games. That's why I'm excited about it.

[Max Peck]

i'm sure this really needed another three... most likely six... more months to really bake, but there were financial realities to meet with a release this year. i'm hopeful many post-release patches are yet to come (and with CDPR's record, this is very likely)

It has had an extra 8 months so far. The original release date was 16 April 2020.

[Rumpy]

But CP says it's no big thang!

Hey now.
I was merely wondering WHY a game that no one has played is having the impact it is (also, in the absence of GreenGoo (what happened to him BTW?), somebody needs to ramp up the angry cynicism around here.
Just trying to suss out if this hype (and again, it may well turn out to be DESERVED hype (and I hope it is) is just marketing or something else (that I obviously am missing).

I also assume I am overthinking this, like I do with EVERY. FUCKING. THING, so feel free to ignore my rambling navel gazing commentary.

It's one of the year's most anticipated releases. As such, any other releases that are releasing close to it feel more than a tad intimidated. The hype surrounding it is due in part to the success of The Witcher 3 and how it managed to catapult the publisher's reputation in the public eye.

[Carpet_pissr]

OK, you guys convinced me.
Wishlisted.
Following.

[Rumpy]

But instead of Witcher 4, it's an open world RPG in a sci fi cyberpunk setting. "Oh no, not another cyberpunk game," said nobody. It's a really interesting yet little explored game setting, and a lot of people are extra excited about having an open world Blade Runner game.

Yep, the cyberpunk setting is really attracting me to this one. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do with the setting by building off the experience they've had with The Witcher series. It's like the allure of a western game since it's a setting so sparingly done.

[Daehawk]

I love the cyberpunk setting and the game looks great. I was excited at the start but as the years have passed ive simply fallen too far behind the hardware curve and wont be able to play it. So Ive lost my excitement. Im glad its being made but I cant participate.

[Rumpy]

I don't really consider my PC as a gaming machine anymore as a result. I still play on it, but mostly older games, and I use my console for newer releases.

[Hrdina]

I wish companies would just skip consoles and go PC only like the old days. Either you were PC company or a console company. Or at least do it that way again. That way if its on console I dont have to worry with it or keep up with it or look forward to it.

They can't, at least not with AAA games. Average budgets now are a dozen times what they were back in the days of the PC/console divide, and that's adjusted for inflation. A $10 million dollar game in the early 2000s is around $120 million now. They can't spend that money and then only sell to a fraction of the customers who want to give them money, especially when one big budget game flopping - just one - can cause a company to close.

If you want the PC exclusives, follow the indies and small studios.

I'm OK with it not being PC exclusive.

But, this article from RPS says (among other things) that CDPR are holding up release of the PC and next-gen consoles because of issues with current-gen consoles.

[Paingod]

Saw a short video of someone just cruising around in their car and it made me wonder how well this studio will do with vehicle traffic mechanics. I did a cursory search and it looks like they've really only made The Witcher prior to this.

I've had my fingers crossed for this title for some time now, though. I don't think they'll suck at it given their seeming devotion to detail and excellence.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

But, this article from RPS says (among other things) that CDPR are holding up release of the PC and next-gen consoles because of issues with current-gen consoles.

I thought the release date for the next-gen consoles was always sometime in 2021?

[gbasden]

But, this article from RPS says (among other things) that CDPR are holding up release of the PC and next-gen consoles because of issues with current-gen consoles.

I thought the release date for the next-gen consoles was always sometime in 2021?

I believe you are right.

[wonderpug]

The versions specifically targeted for the new consoles are due next year, but they still want the games to work properly on those consoles with the regular version of the game at release.

[Max Peck]

Such PR, much wow.

[jztemple2]

Day one, baby

[jztemple2]

Cyberpunk 2077 will give you a Witcher jacket for connecting a GOG account

Cyberpunk 2077 is going to have DLC both free and paid, just like The Witcher 3 before it. That’s starting at launch with a series of free bonuses for linking up with a GOG account, no matter what platform you’ve purchased the game on. Yes, it is indeed a gimmick to get your email address in the CD Projekt servers for some direct marketing options, but hey, you’re gonna get a really cool Witcher jacket in return.

[jztemple2]

Everyone is getting cyberpunked!

[Daehawk]

All cool videos. Thnx. But wait....Wyld Stallyns didn't do the soundtrack??

Wish that Witcher jacket was real life.

Ill probably be able to buy and run this in 2024.

[Rumpy]

What about those of us who already have a GOG account? We get nothing?

[Daehawk]

What about those of us who already have a GOG account? We get nothing?

Oh ya it is worded like that isn't it?

[Rumpy]

What about those of us who already have a GOG account? We get nothing?

Oh ya it is worded like that isn't it?

It certainly makes it sound like that. Although they've had a history of awarding things to existing account holders. It's just that the wording is very strange, making no reference to those who actually buy it via GOG of all places.

[Paingod]

What about those of us who already have a GOG account? We get nothing?

I think you get to log in with your GOG account, regardless of the purchase place.

[Rumpy]

What about those of us who already have a GOG account? We get nothing?

I think you get to log in with your GOG account, regardless of the purchase place.

Yes, that's what I'd expect, but the language used is confusing. I mean, technically, if you've bought it from GOG, there's no need to link the game to the account.

[Max Peck]

I'm not sure what is confusing about this:

If you link Cyberpunk 2077 with a GOG account – regardless of whether you’ve purchased the game on Steam, Epic, GOG itself, or one of the consoles – you’ll get a variety of in-game items as a reward. Those include a Wolf School jacket from The Witcher, and a variety of other cosmetic items like t-shirts, plushies, and er, knives.

[Freyland]

I'm not sure what is confusing about this:

If you link Cyberpunk 2077 with a GOG account – regardless of whether you’ve purchased the game on Steam, Epic, GOG itself, or one of the consoles – you’ll get a variety of in-game items as a reward. Those include a Wolf School jacket from The Witcher, and a variety of other cosmetic items like t-shirts, plushies, and er, knives.

It's in Canadian, that's why!

[Blackhawk]

I thought it was pretty clear...

[Paingod]

What about those of us who already have a GOG account? We get nothing?

I think you get to log in with your GOG account, regardless of the purchase place.

Yes, that's what I'd expect, but the language used is confusing. I mean, technically, if you've bought it from GOG, there's no need to link the game to the account.

Except that, unlike Steam, GOG doesn't dig tendrils into the game. It stands back apart from the game if you let it and don't use the Galaxy installer (I typically don't). I expect that inside Cyberpunk 2077 you'll be able to register the game with CDProjektRed and link your GOG account. Either that or it'll ask to be installed with Galaxy in order to get those benefits.

[Max Peck]

[Blackhawk]

I wish there was something about the performance level this was based on. Is it 60 FPS average? 60 FPS minimum? 30? 120?