CD Projekt Red has confirmed on its website that it's working with Sony to bring Cyberpunk 2077 back to the PlayStation Store as soon as possible. The highly anticipated open-world game released in late 2020 to an initial fanfare followed by a serious outcry. While the PC version was merely suffering from launch bugs, the console versions were almost inoperable, with players sharing Cyberpunk 2077 glitches online, ranging from flying cars to tiny trees pushing through the scenery to evidently broke NPC AI and animations making Night City a laughing stock. The game released in such a sorry state on those platforms that Sony pulled the game from digital sales and offered immediate refunds to any purchasers on the PlayStation platform.
In the aftermath of that, CD Projekt Red has issued several apologies to its fan community, vowing to fix the game via a regular cadence of patches. It recently confirmed that it's pushed back the game's free DLC in order to prioritize bug fixes. Meanwhile, reports have come out about the game's prolonged development, suggesting that the project changed drastically since it was announced in 2012. The game was reportedly initially going to share a third-person viewpoint with its predecessor The Witcher 3, and current and former staffers speaking anonymously to the press have confirmed an managerial attitude that the game would come together in the later stages of development despite the growing problems with the game's scale and a rapidly approaching release date. Unfortunately for the developer and fans, the game didn't come together as CD Projekt Red management had hoped.
In an update to its official FAQ, CD Projekt Red has news for players looking for answers about its continued absence on the digital PlayStation 4 storefront. The developer reveals that it's "working with Sony to bring Cyberpunk 2077 back to PlayStation Store as soon as possible", so Sony's direct involvement in that process is likely a relief to some. However, there are no further details on the timing of when Cyberpunk 2077's digital PS4 return could occur or what all is needed for the developer and console manufacturer to accomplish that goal.
When Sony initially removed the game from sale, it was not open about an ongoing working relationship with CD Projekt Red, which makes this new development notable - that is, if it's the full truth. In the initial fallout of Cyberpunk's release, CD Projekt Red immediately promised refunds to all unsatisfied customers, but that didn't sit well with its partners in the retail space or with Sony or Microsoft. One could hope that the developer is not speaking out of turn once again, but it's a possibility that has to be considered with the developer's undependable reputation.
Whether it's damage control from the developer or genuine progress between CD Projekt Red and Sony, there is certainly progress being made towards getting Cyberpunk 2077 ready for digital sale on PS4 once again. The game's initial removal was unprecedented in the history of modern gaming, so it's still mostly unclear how long a delisting like this could last and what the developer has to do in order to get Sony's approval for release once more. In any case, it's one in a growing number of cases where the ever-growing scope of AAA development is outpacing all but the biggest studios, and CD Projekt Red seems to be fighting to keep its head above water.
Cyberpunk 2077 is available now on PS4 (retail-only), Xbox One, PC, and Google Stadia, and it will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2021.
Source: CD Projekt Red