CD Projekt RED introduced us to the decadence and decay present in its mature sci-fi epic with a moving cinematic trailer this January, but it was a small window into a world where narrative vision, character customization features and a true-to-its-genre atmosphere are still being crafted.
Fortunately, however, the developer divulged a few more details and intriguing insights regarding the game in a recent interview with IGN.
Like many RPG’s, Cyberpunk 2077 will organize players into customizable classes where they can outfit their appearance. Far from simply guiding skill distribution or mohawk length, however, creative director Sebastian Stepien says that aesthetic choice – not just reputation, or a Mass Effectian appraisal of paragon/renegade moral standing – is fundamental to the world’s unfolding:
Continuing, Stepien explains how this concept of “creating the story” applies equally to effects of player personality:
But Cyberpunk’s customization is simply a result of its story: an epic of individualistic proportions. It’s not about a player changing the world and its problems; according to Stepien it’s about each player changing their world and their problems:
It’s a focus that runs in stark contrast to, say, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, the shooter/RPG that many have been comparing Cyberpunk to since its announcement last year. We praised Human Revolution mightily when it released in 2011, but as elevating as Adam Jensen’s journey was to the cyberpunk genre it was also demonstrably lurid and dark. Mateusz Kanik, the director of Cyberpunk 2077, might say that it was missing an important ingredient:
Or as Stepien concluded: “It’s more like a Tarantino approach."
Ranters, we’ve seen how 2014’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is beginning to crystallize at CD Projekt RED. Using its REDEngine 3 technology, how would you like to see the studio realize the vision it has for Cyberpunk 2077?
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Source: IGN
Cyberpunk 2077 is slated for release in 2015 on next-generation platforms and the PC.
