How Long Did it Take to Make Cyberpunk 2077?
By Jack O'Dwyer
In order to understand the root of CD Projekt Red's (CDPR) problems, players should know how long did it take to make Cyberpunk 2077.
The length of a game's development can be both a blessing and a curse depending on the size, scope, and company behind it. AAA titles and franchises typically have a huge, multi-studio work force pushing it along and inspecting every tiny aspect for quality control. From concept to code, bug squashing, and final touches, taking a single game from the drawing board to players' digital screens could take years.
If you plan to use @CyberpunkGame mods/custom saves on PC, use caution. We've been made aware of a vulnerability in external DLL files the game uses which can be used to execute code on PCs. Issue will be fixed ASAP. For now, please refrain from using files from unknown sources.
— CD PROJEKT RED CS (@CDPRED_Support) February 2, 2021
Cyberpunk 2077 Development Details Explained
Cyberpunk 2077 had entered the pre-liminal stages of its development in 2012 under the direction of Mike Pondsmith, the game's primary creator. It was first announced at the CD Projekt Red Group Summer Conference in May of that year. However, it was likely on the drawing board before this, meaning it could have been a concrete concept as early as 2011 or 2010. The value of that distinction could be a matter of discretion on the part of the interested party.
It didn't truly start to progress into the title we know today until the release of the Witcher 3 Blood and Wine DLC at the end of May 2016—CDPR's prior top-priority project. From there, Cyberpunk 2077 was subject to several controversies, including changes in leadership and several cut pieces of content. These likely contributed to the game's trinity of delays before it officially hit shelves on Dec. 10, 2020.
Essentially, from the very start to its live release, Cyberpunk 2077 took a decade to make—anywhere between 11-9 years, specifically.
However, with the catastrophe that was its launch and the frequent uploading of patches and hotfixes, did its development ever really end?
Cyberpunk Hotfix 1.12 is currently live on all platforms. Hotfix 1.13 is being prepared and will be coming soon.