We at CD PROJEKT RED can’t wait for the release of the Edgerunners Update, and with the premiere of our first anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners just around the corner (September 13! ), we thought now would be a good moment to talk more about the connections between the two projects. Take my word for it; the name is just the beginning.
Edgerunners Update (Patch 1.6) is now live! ⚡
With this update we focused on bringing various fixes and improvements, as well as adding new Edgerunners-inspired content to the game – including new missions, clothing, and weapons.
Most notable changes: https://t.co/zjbPPCRma6 pic.twitter.com/PVvCjt0WwP
— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) September 6, 2022
Edgerunners Update Patch
When we first encounter David Martinez in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, he is a homeless teen selling illegal brain dances (CBDs) to support himself and his mother Gloria. It seemed only natural that we incorporate her bright yellow jacket, which she later gives to David and which becomes a defining visual element of the anime, in the most recent patch. Patrick Mills, who helped choose which elements from the anime would make it into Cyberpunk 2007, agrees:
David’s jacket was a natural fit because it is a recognizable symbol from the show. We can’t wait for players to actually hold the item in their hands, just as in the anime! I imagine it will be fun for those who haven’t seen the anime to have a new jacket to show off and pose in Photo Mode with, while those who are familiar with the series will appreciate it as another link between the two worlds.
With the advent of the Wardrobe, our transmogrification system, this Legendary item becomes even more desirable. Players no longer have to sacrifice their fashion sense for protection, as they can dress for the grim future without compromising their builds. David’s stay in Night City was explosive and bloody, and he left more than just his jacket behind. Additionally, the shotgun “Guts,” which was added in the previous next-gen update along with DualSense’s Adaptive Triggers capabilities, can be found and used by players. We put a lot of consideration into how to blend the two settings into this update, from the item descriptions to the conversation.
Writer Rafa Babraj established his stance early on: We tried to incorporate the anime’s cast and plot into the game as seamlessly as possible, and I like to think we came up with a neat narrative solution. At the same time, we wanted to leave some of the story in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners a mystery, so we only revealed a few details about the anime that would pique players’ interest. We sought to include the characters’ individual traits in the dialogue they use and the descriptions of their belongings in the game.
While the stories are distinct, Babraj says, “V and David actually have a lot in common – what exactly that is, gamers and viewers will have to find for themselves!” A new mission will also be available, one that would take players to David’s jacket and fully connect the two realms. Director of Quest Pawe Sasko and his crew made sure the video game and anime were compatible with one another.
Since the visual styles of Cyberpunk 2077 and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners are so different, we had to come up with interesting and plausible ways to connect the two-game universes. I requested Danisz Markiewicz, the designer of Expert Quest, to view the anime and offer narrative suggestions that would expand upon the tale presented in Edgerunners and properly integrate it with the game. He suggested including a scene from the anime as part of the braindance mechanic. That was a fantastic suggestion, and we immediately began brainstorming potential implementations. We were able to pull it out with the help of several other developers, our collaborators at Netflix, and a dash of imagination. I’m looking forward to reading online when our participants figure out the two minor mysteries hidden within the braindance itself.
The process of developing the connections between the two storylines was not a one-way path but rather something spontaneous and mutually beneficial. To paraphrase Sasko: Those familiar with the game will have no trouble recognizing the settings of pivotal scenes because Studio Trigger did such a fantastic job bringing Night City to life in the anime.
It’s intriguing to me that the game served as inspiration for Trigger, and then their incredible work served as inspiration for us as we worked to improve the game in the Edgerunners Update. As a result, the braindance, equipment, and other minor occurrences in the quest all have significant and meaningful connections to the overarching plot of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. To show our appreciation to those who have supported Cyberpunk 2077 and the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime, we created this task.
This article only scratches the surface of the anime-related features introduced in the Edgerunners Update. A playable Roach Race minigame, new weapons, new objectives, and the option to pose Nibbles in Photo Mode are just the beginning of what’s in store for players. Visit the site to read more about the anime and see the complete list of features. Either that, or you could just dive in and find out for yourself! Playstation 4 and PlayStation 5 owners can get Cyberpunk 2077 from the PlayStation Store for $49.99.