After a troubled launch, it seems that Cyberpunk 2077 is on the rise once again. The open-world sci-fi RPG’s sales revenue grew by 18% year-over-year in 2022, making it the second-best year for the developer, CD Projekt Red. The growth can be attributed to the game’s massive 1.5 patch, which added new features and content while streamlining and fixing various bugs and performance issues. However, an even bigger factor in the game’s revival was its popular Netflix adaptation, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. With the upcoming DLC expansion Phantom Liberty, which is expected to arrive in the second half of 2023, the game’s comeback could get even bigger.
The success of Cyberpunk 2077 after its troubled launch demonstrates the power of post-launch support and media adaptations in the gaming industry. While CD Projekt Red faced significant backlash over the game’s technical issues and cut features at launch, the company’s commitment to improving the game with regular updates and patches, as well as the popularity of the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Netflix series, has contributed to the game’s continued success.
The success of the Witcher 3 adaptation also shows the potential of media adaptations in driving sales of video games. In the case of Cyberpunk 2077, the Netflix series appears to have helped the game gain new players and reignite interest in the franchise, leading to increased sales and revenue for CD Projekt Red.
The upcoming DLC expansion, Phantom Liberty, also presents a significant opportunity for the game to continue its success in 2023. With new storylines, areas to explore, and the addition of Idris Elba to the game’s cast, Phantom Liberty has the potential to offer players a significant amount of new content, similar to The Witcher 3’s Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions. CD Projekt Red’s showcase in June will provide more information about the expansion, but it’s clear that the company’s continued commitment to improving and expanding Cyberpunk 2077 has paid off in a big way.
The success of Cyberpunk 2077 after its troubled launch highlights the importance of post-launch support and media adaptations in the gaming industry. While a game’s launch may be critical, it’s clear that ongoing support and new content can keep players engaged and drive significant revenue for developers and publishers.
Another significant factor that helped Cyberpunk 2077’s sales was the release of the game on Sony’s PlayStation Store. The game was initially removed from the store shortly after its launch due to the poor performance on the base PlayStation 4 console. However, in June 2021, CD Projekt Red announced that the game would return to the PlayStation Store after months of fixing the bugs and glitches. This move significantly expanded the game’s potential audience, which could have contributed to its increased sales in 2022.
The successful turnaround of Cyberpunk 2077 is a significant milestone for the game industry. Despite its disastrous launch, the game managed to rebound and become a financial success, thanks to the efforts of its developer to fix its problems and the popularity of its Netflix adaptation. It also proves that a game’s success can be salvaged even after a rocky start, giving hope to other game developers who might face similar challenges in the future. It remains to be seen whether the game can maintain its momentum in 2023 with the release of Phantom Liberty, but CD Projekt Red’s recent success with The Witcher 3’s expansions suggests that the upcoming DLC could be a major hit.
Despite Cyberpunk 2077’s success, the game’s launch will likely go down as one of the biggest failures in gaming history. Many players were disappointed by the game’s technical issues and lack of promised features, leading to widespread refunds, removal from the PlayStation Store, and even lawsuits. However, CD Projekt Red’s commitment to fixing the game and adding new content has paid off, with Cyberpunk 2077 now enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
The lessons learned from Cyberpunk 2077’s launch have already had a significant impact on the gaming industry. Publishers are now more cautious about hyping up their games before release and are giving developers more time to complete their projects. Additionally, many developers are now focusing on ensuring their games work well on current-gen consoles before launching, rather than relying on patches to fix technical issues after release.
The success of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2022 is a testament to the power of perseverance and commitment to quality. Despite a rocky start, the game has managed to win over fans and become a major player in the gaming industry once again. As CD Projekt Red prepares to release Phantom Liberty later this year, fans are eagerly anticipating what’s next for the franchise and what new innovations the studio will bring to the table.
