CD Projekt Red will use a new proprietary engine for Cyberpunk 2077, one it hopes will "make RPGs comparable to top-shelf shooters, both in terms of game world presentation and the epic proportions of events that the player is drawn into."
“If we look at RPGs nowadays we find two approaches, one which emphasizes the story but limits the game world and one that builds a vast open-world but hampers and simplifies the story," CD Projekt Red studio head Adam Badowski said in a press release. "With the REDengine 3 we combine the positive aspects of both approaches for the first time, creating an open environment with a complex, multi-thread story. Together with believable characters, a captivating tale and a world where players can roam freely without loading times, we will be able to move gaming to a new level with a realistic feel and full player immersion."
It's big talk, although The Witcher 2 was easily one of the best-looking RPGs of this generation. That game was built on REDengine 2, so if the next version just pretties up the visuals with better effects and animations, and cuts out in-game load times, that will be a feat of its own.
CD Projekt Red referred to Cyberpunk 2077 as the second game the studio is working on in the release. The studio has given several less-than-subtle teases that it will reveal another game, almost assuredly The Witcher 3, on February 5.
After playing the scariest mission in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, I'm going to need CDPR to make a fully-fledged survival horror RPG right now
Cyberpunk 2077 sequel director says CDPR may "never" win some fans back, but hopes future games like The Witcher 4 will: "That's unfortunately the price we have to pay"
