Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer could potentially include some effort to monetize the experience. Although the title won't have multiplayer at launch, developer CD Projekt Red has confirmed that multiplayer is part of its later plan for the game. However, the company will release DLC and single-player paid content before focusing on an online multiplayer component.
Cyberpunk 2077 is a massive open world RPG, the kind of game that CD Projekt Red is known for. Its previous title, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains popular with gamers, even four years after its initial release. However, The Witcher 3 did not have multiplayer, making Cyberpunk 2077 the first time the company will step into the multiplayer arena for one of its major RPGs. Although Cyberpunk 2077's game map is geographically smaller than The Witcher 3, the game itself is more densely populated, with more content available to players as a whole. Along with a host of interesting character creation options, this makes Cyberpunk 2077 seem like the perfect kind of game for a multiplayer mode.
However, according to a recent conference call (as translated by Twisted Voxel), the multiplayer of Cyberpunk 2077 might come at a literal cost. CD Projekt Red President Adam Kiciński spoke about the game's multiplayer mode, specifically mentioning monetization. He said:
"When it comes to monetizing the multiplayer Cyberpunk – we now think it is far too early to reveal any details. The project is at an early stage of development, and we are constantly experimenting – after all, this is our first game multiplayer.
"We are exploring various possibilities and so far it is not the time for precise determination directions, although it can be safely said that we will not compromise our own policy 'Contracts with players.' Monetization will be intelligent and we will ensure that – how always – deliver valuable products in exchange for payment received."
Kiciński's discussion of monetization could upset players who feel like too many modern games are focused on cash grabs from players. In particular, the controversial practice of microtransactions already makes up the bulk of monetization for many multiplayer and mobile games. These transactions usually involve players paying for cosmetic changes, in-game items, armor, weapons and anything else that can help them progress through a game. There are also several countries pushing back against the legality of the microtransactions known as loot boxes, with some governments beginning to deem the practice as a form of illegal gambling. However, CD Projekt Red has stayed away from the microtransaction controversy. The company only charged players for DLC with The Witcher 3 and offered many updates (armor, weapons and cosmetic additions) for free.
Before fans get upset, though, the key takeaway here is that Kiciński insists that monetization via multiplayer will be "intelligent," if it happens at all - which isn't a guarantee. The studio has always shown an aversion to the kind of microtransactions that other multiplayer games insist upon, so it likely has something else in mind for Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt Red has a reputation for treating its players with respect, and those players should be able to trust the developer with their hard-earned cash.
Cyberpunk 2077 releases for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on April 16, 2020.
Source: CD Projekt Red, Twisted Voxel