Cyberpunk 2 Director Defends Act 1 Structure

Creative Director Igor Sarzynski has responded to the ongoing debate about the narrative pacing in Cyberpunk 2077. Specifically, he addressed fan suggestions that the game's first act should have been extended to allow more time with the character Jackie Welles. Sarzynski rejected this idea, stating that a longer introduction would have diluted the narrative tension.

Additionally, Mike Pondsmith, the creator of the Cyberpunk franchise, offered new details regarding the upcoming sequel. He confirmed that Cyberpunk 2 will introduce a new city distinct from Night City. While the release date remains distant, these insights provide a clearer picture of the creative direction for the franchise.

The debate surrounding Cyberpunk 2077's Act 1 has persisted since the game's 2020 release. Fans have frequently discussed whether the introductory segment, which sees V befriending Jackie Welles and attempting to establish themselves in Night City, should have been longer. The argument generally centers on the desire for more time with the companion character, who plays a significant role in the early story but departs relatively quickly.

In a recent social media post, Igor Sarzynski, the Creative Director of Cyberpunk 2, offered his perspective on why this extension was not utilized. He utilized a Star Wars analogy to illustrate his point regarding narrative efficiency. "It's like saying we should spend more time on Tatooine with farmer Luke before he got involved with all this Jedi stuff," Sarzynski explained.

Sarzynski further elaborated on the design philosophy behind the pacing. He noted that the motivation in the early section of the game is intentionally broad—simply to "get to the top." He argued that prolonging this phase without the specific stakes or pressure introduced by the heist mission would have resulted in a "meandering, unfocused experience."

Despite the creative team's design intent, Sarzynski acknowledged that many players find organic ways to extend their time in the early game. He noted that because it is an open-world title, "some manage to squeeze 20 hours out of Watson," the playable area for Act 1. This allows players to explore and interact with the environment at their own pace before advancing the main story.

Regarding the specific bond formed with Jackie Welles, Sarzynski admitted that the experience varies by player. "Is it enough time to bond with Jackie?" he asked. "For some it is, for some it isn't. All things considered I think we struck a good balance."

Sarzynski also addressed a specific criticism regarding the game's narrative structure. Some players believed that a six-month montage sequence represented "cut content" that should have been playable. Sarzynski refuted this claim directly. "No, half-year montage is not cut content," he stated. "We always planned it like this."

While Sarzynski discussed the past, Mike Pondsmith offered a glimpse into the future of the franchise. At the Digital Dragons 2025 conference, Pondsmith provided details about the scope of Cyberpunk 2, also known as Project Orion. He confirmed that the sequel will not be limited to the familiar setting of Night City.

Pondsmith revealed that the development team is working on a brand new city for players to visit. He described the aesthetic of this new location as "like Chicago gone wrong." He elaborated that while the environment shares the dystopian themes of the franchise, it avoids the Blade Runner aesthetic associated with Night City, aiming for a distinct visual identity.

It remains unclear how much of the original Night City will be accessible in the sequel or if the new city will be a fully playable open world. However, the inclusion of a second major location suggests a significant expansion of the game's scope. These developments are being handled by CD Projekt, which is currently balancing work on The Witcher 4 alongside the Cyberpunk sequel.

Although the creative vision for Cyberpunk 2 is becoming clearer, players will have to wait some time to experience it. CD Projekt co-CEO Michał Nowakowski has indicated that the sequel is not expected to be released until at least 2030.

During his conference appearance, Pondsmith also discussed his current level of involvement in the project. He noted that he is not as heavily involved as he was with the first game, but he continues to review scripts and visit the studio. Pondsmith mentioned that he recently reviewed new cyberware designs and environmental work, confirming his ongoing consultation on the project's development.

As the development of The Witcher 4 takes priority for the studio, work on the Cyberpunk sequel continues in the background. Fans can expect further updates as the project moves closer to its eventual release window.