In the sprawling neon-drenched world of Cyberpunk 2077, players' journeys began with a critical choice: selecting a Lifepath. This initial decision—becoming a street-smart Nomad, a corporate-climbing Corpo, or a lawless Street Kid—promised to shape a unique origin story. However, as many players discovered, after a distinct opening act, these narrative branches largely converged onto the same main storyline. Narrative director Philipp Weber of CD Projekt Red has now openly reflected on this aspect, expressing a desire to significantly overhaul and deepen the role of Lifepaths in the studio's upcoming sequel to the landmark RPG.

During a candid discussion on the AnsweRED Podcast, Weber didn't mince words. He admitted that the original game didn't fully deliver on the promise of feeling like you were playing a fundamentally different character based on your Lifepath choice. "I'd like Lifepaths to 'matter more' in the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel," Weber stated, highlighting a key area for evolution. He expressed a tinge of regret, noting how the Lifepath influence tended to "go away a little bit" as the story progressed. With the benefit of hindsight and hard-earned experience from the first game's tumultuous launch and subsequent revival, the team is now laser-focused on ensuring these origin stories are woven more intricately into the core narrative fabric of the next chapter in Night City.

From Cosmetic Choice to Core Mechanic: The Lifepath Evolution 🎭

The vision for the sequel suggests a shift from Lifepaths being primarily a flavorful backstory to becoming a persistent gameplay and narrative engine. Imagine a world where:

• Corpo players gain unique access to high-security corporate zones, exclusive negotiation options with Arasaka middle-managers, and different reactions from fixers who see them as either a valuable insider or a treacherous snake.

• Nomad characters maintain strong ties to their clan outside the city, offering unique vehicle upgrades, smuggling routes, and a network of allies that operate outside Night City's usual power structures.

• Street Kids have an intimate, ground-level knowledge of the city's gangs and back alleys, allowing them to bypass security through forgotten tunnels, call in favors from local bosses, and hear whispers on the street long before anyone else.

This approach would make the choice feel less like picking a starter costume and more like defining your character's soul. Weber hinted that, given more time and experience during the first game's development, he would have made Lifepaths "a little bit more involved in the main story." For the sequel, that involvement is poised to be a lot more than just "a little bit."

A Sequel in the Shadows: Perspective, Priorities, and Patience ⏳

While the ambition for richer Lifepaths is clear, fans should temper their immediate expectations. The sequel, often referred to by the codename "Project Orion" within CD Projekt Red, is still in the early conceptual phases. The studio is currently juggling multiple monumental projects, with the next Witcher game (Project Polaris) as its immediate priority. Full-scale development on the Cyberpunk sequel is not expected to ramp up until later this decade.

Intriguingly, foundational decisions about the game's very identity are still on the table. A major debate within the studio revolves around perspective: should the sequel remain a first-person immersive sim, or pivot to a third-person viewpoint akin to The Witcher series? This isn't just a camera angle change; it's a decision that affects combat design, storytelling intimacy, character connection, and world interaction. As Weber noted, with such fundamental choices yet to be finalized, it's evident that the sequel is still a long way off on the horizon.

The Road Ahead: Learning from the Past 🔧

The original Cyberpunk 2077's launch is a chapter CD Projekt Red is determined not to repeat. The phrase "avoid another disaster" isn't just fan hope; it's a studio-wide mantra. This commitment to quality and polish means the sequel will be developed with a "when it's ready" philosophy, even if that results in a longer wait. The successful turnaround of Cyberpunk 2077 through updates and the acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion has given the team not just valuable technical experience, but crucial narrative insights into what makes Night City tick.

For now, the enhanced Lifepath system remains a compelling glimpse into the studio's ambitious future plans. It represents a desire to double down on the core RPG promise of player agency and identity. While Night City's next evolution is years away, the direction is promising: a world where the path you come from doesn't just color your past, but actively shapes your entire future in the city of dreams. Wake the fuck up, samurai. The next adventure is still cooking, but they're planning to make your origin story count for real this time.