Cyberpunk 2077 launch delayed a third time

Polish developer CD Projekt Red has announced a third delay for its upcoming action RPG release, Cyberpunk 2077, apologising again to fans around the world.

We have important news to share with you pic.twitter.com/qZUaD6IwmM

— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) October 27, 2020

The announcement was made via the game’s Twitter account. In it,  the studio revealed that it needs to make more improvements to the game for the next-generation consoles, the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, as well for the
current generation consoles and for PC.

While the studio reaffirmed back in June 2020 that no more delays are on the cards for the upcoming title, the new latest announcement proved otherwise.

The game’s first trailer was revealed back in 2013. It gained popularity for hinting at  The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (which was released in 2015 to critical acclaim).

It would take the developer five years for the official trailer to drop during Microsoft’s Xbox E3 briefing in 2018. The trailer showcased the game’s aesthetic.

The game made a huge splash again the following year, again, at Microsoft’s Xbox E3 briefing.

This time it gave fans a look at one of the game’s central characters, Johnny Silverhand, played by Keanu Reeves — who was on hand to announce the game’s first release date: April 16, 2020.

However, the developer announced in January this year that the game would be pushed back to September 17, 2020.

It said that it needed additional time to work on the game’s central location, Night City, and to ensure that it executed the game’s vision.

We have important news regarding Cyberpunk 2077’s release date we’d like to share with you today. pic.twitter.com/aWdtR0grYV

— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) January 16, 2020

“We want Cyberpunk 2077 to be our crowning achievement for this generation and postponing launch will give us the precious months we need to make the game perfect.”

The developer also confirmed rumours that the team will be putting in extra hours, known as “crunch”, to complete the game in time ahead of its new release date. This is despite earlier assertions that it would not subject its developers to rigorous overtime.

And while the studio got the time needed, yet again, it announced the game’s second delay in June. This announcement was also made on Twitter.

An important development update pic.twitter.com/uFGrt9Tqpi

— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) June 18, 2020

“Our intention is to make Cyberpunk 2077 something that will stay with you for years to come. In the end, we hope you understand why we did what we did.”

Cyberpunk 2077 will now launch on 10 December 2020.

Cyberpunk 2077 face crunch despite delays

The multiple delays have not saved the studio’s developers from crunch, a practice that is under increasing scrutiny for exploiting workers.

In fact, a Bloomberg report says that in the lead-up to the November release, the studio’s developers were forced to work overtime to meet the planned date.

Cyberpunk 2077 will fall out of the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 launch window next month, but has gone gold ahead of its previous release date.

The game will be available on Xbox One, PS4, PC, Google Stadia, and for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5.

Feature image: CD Projekt Red

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