In the state Cyberpunk 2077 launched in, I don’t think anyone expected multiplayer functionality. While it was seemingly a pipe dream for developer CD Projekt Red at one point, fixing the game up until its launch (and long after) took priority.
But that doesn’t mean that fans can’t pick up the slack. The CyberMP multiplayer mod has made some fantastic strides in the past year, and at this point, it looks like a finished official product, based on recent YouTube footage.
Cyberpunk 2077’s Multiplayer Mod Is Incredible
It Looks So Seamless
A screenshot of a female V riding a motorcycle through Night City in Cyberpunk 2077.
Over in modding land, the CyberMP team is working on a multiplayer mod for Cyberpunk 2077, and it’s coming along nicely, if the beta footage below is any indication. This mod allows multiple people to play the game together, which fits nicely with the literal cyberpunk “fight the corporations” aesthetic. While it’s a shame the original game didn’t include a multiplayer component, it makes perfect sense why it was canned due to feature creep and enhanced scope.
If you want to try the mod out for yourself, you’ll need to wait a bit. CyberMP is currently in closed testing, where the team is working to improve synchronization between players and add features like a racing overlay. The results “exceeded all expectations,” so hopefully that means it’s smooth sailing from here for a full release.
The progress in between footage for CyberMP is staggering, and if everything works out, it could be a great way to uphold the legacy of the base game in general. You can get updates on the project through the team’s Discord server.
Multiplayer Was Originally Planned For Cyberpunk 2077
What Could Have Been
An over the shoulder shot of Johnny Silverhand walking through Night City in Cyberpunk 2077.
Pre-launch, learning that Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer was canned was a hard pill to swallow. Then we all saw the state the game was in at launch, and everything seemed so obvious.
Several years back, CD Projekt Red explained why multiplayer was cut from Cyberpunk 2077, and everyone let out a collective response of “oh, that makes sense.” Given the explosive reaction to the game’s poor launch state, it’s no-brainer why the team decided to prioritize the core experience and why all the “other R&D projects had to go away.”
Still, even though Cyberpunk 2077 has been thoroughly redeemed, it would intensely benefit from a multiplayer mod long-term, especially for repeat playthroughs. Plus, it looks like the sequel will feature multiplayer anyway.
Systems
Released
December 10, 2020
ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Engine
REDengine 4
