Cyberpunk 2077: Evolution, Phantom Liberty, and Project Orion

Last Updated: October 11, 2025

Cyberpunk 2077 has undergone one of the most significant transformations in modern gaming history. What began as a highly anticipated but troubled launch in December 2020 has evolved into a critically acclaimed open-world RPG, largely thanks to a relentless commitment from CD Projekt Red to post-launch support. While earlier speculative reports might have hinted at future patches like "2.31" with features such as a "reckless AutoDrive mode," the actual journey of Night City's evolution has centered around monumental updates like Patch 2.0, the expansive Phantom Liberty DLC, and subsequent refinements up to Patch 2.12. These real-world developments have fundamentally reshaped the player experience, enhancing combat, vehicle mechanics, creative tools, and overall stability.

The true turning point for Cyberpunk 2077 arrived with the release of Update 2.0 in September 2023, coinciding with the launch of the Phantom Liberty expansion. This wasn't merely a patch; it was a comprehensive overhaul that reimagined core gameplay systems. While the concept of a player-controlled "AutoDrive" with reckless and law-abiding modes, as envisioned in some earlier discussions, never materialized, Update 2.0 dramatically improved vehicle combat. Players gained the ability to shoot from vehicles, engage in car chases, and even use mounted weaponry, adding a thrilling new dimension to traversing Night City. Driving mechanics themselves received significant tuning, offering a more responsive and satisfying experience whether cruising through Westbrook or tearing through the Badlands.

Photo Mode Enhancements

Beyond the asphalt, Cyberpunk 2077's highly acclaimed photo mode has consistently received enhancements throughout its lifecycle, empowering players to capture the dystopian beauty of Night City with unprecedented artistic freedom. Over various updates, including those preceding and following the 2.0 overhaul, the photo mode has seen expansions in pose compatibility, expressions, and effects. Features allowing for greater control over character placement and the ability to disable NPC collision for cleaner compositions have been integral to its evolution, offering players versatile tools to craft stunning in-game photography. These improvements were part of an ongoing commitment to creative expression, rather than being tied to a single, specific patch like a hypothetical 2.31.

Bug Fixes & Performance Optimizations

The journey of Cyberpunk 2077 has also been defined by a continuous stream of bug fixes and performance optimizations. From launch, CD Projekt Red diligently addressed a multitude of issues, ranging from minor glitches to more significant stability concerns. While a specific "pink tint" graphical glitch related to Nvidia Reflex and DLSS as described in earlier speculative reports may not have been a prominent, widely documented issue requiring a dedicated 2.31 fix, the general commitment to resolving visual artifacts, improving frame rates, and enhancing overall system stability has been a hallmark of every major update. Patches like 2.1 and 2.12, released in late 2023 and early 2024 respectively, further refined the experience, adding quality-of-life improvements, new content like the NCART metro system, and addressing lingering issues to ensure a polished gameplay environment.

This sustained effort culminated in Cyberpunk 2077 reaching its definitive state, particularly for players who also embraced the Phantom Liberty expansion. The expansion itself delivered a dense, spy-thriller narrative, new districts, and a wealth of gameplay additions, solidifying the game's reputation as a genre-defining title.

The Future: Project Orion

Looking ahead, CD Projekt Red has largely concluded major content development for Cyberpunk 2077, considering the game's current iteration, especially with Phantom Liberty, to be its complete vision. Their focus has now shifted to the future of the franchise. The highly anticipated sequel, officially codenamed "Project Orion," has been announced and is in early development. This next installment will be handled by CD Projekt Red North America, a new studio based in Boston and Vancouver, with key veterans from the original game's development team at the helm. This ongoing commitment ensures that the Cyberpunk universe will continue to expand, building upon the foundations laid by the remarkable evolution of Cyberpunk 2077.