Cyberpunk 2077 Sees Player Surge After Major Announcement — Is Netflix's 'Edgerunners 2' the Real Reason?

Night City is buzzing! A significant revelation has sent Cyberpunk 2077's player numbers soaring, drawing countless eager fans back into its sprawling, neon-drenched metropolis.

Still, the question on everyone's mind is: could Netflix's highly anticipated Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 be the actual catalyst behind this sudden boom?

Whispers have begun to circulate regarding a second expansion for Cyberpunk 2077. However, it is advisable to temper expectations, as the likelihood of CD Projekt RED releasing it shortly seems remote.

As reported by Grant Taylor-Hill from Insider Gaming, information regarding a second downloadable content (DLC) pack for Cyberpunk 2077 has recently appeared online.

Fans React to Scrapped 'Moon' DLC Details

According to Insider Gaming, the now-removed leak reportedly showcased 'concept art, blueprints, file repositories, and some map-based data' about the cancelled 'Moon' DLC. Understandably, this news was met with disappointment from the game's community on the r/Games subreddit, as players will likely never have the opportunity to experience this content.

'We know that they originally had more DLC planned, but that it got canned due to them having actually to fix the base game,' noted Reddit user GeekdomCentral. 'It sounds like this might have taken place after the main story? I would have been kind of interested to see where that went.'

'I was so gutted that Phantom Liberty took place mid-game, I always want more of the world AFTER the base game I play rather than stuff being retroactively added in, that goes for any game,' responded user TheJoshider10.

'I get that it added a new ending and all, but CDPR shot themselves in the foot with the ticking clock of Johnny's chip; it's so hard to enjoy the game as an RPG when the stakes are at odds with giving you freedom. I hope that's something they learn from for the next one.'

Hope for 'Moon' Content in the Cyberpunk Sequel

On a more positive note, while it appears CD Projekt RED has set aside this particular Moon DLC for Cyberpunk 2077, there's a possibility its elements could reappear elsewhere. The developer might choose to repurpose this content for Cyberpunk 2, as it would be a missed opportunity to waste such development effort. Furthermore, the prospect of visiting the moon within the game's universe remains an exciting idea.

Beyond the intriguing whispers of future content, there's even more reason for fans to immerse themselves in the world of Cyberpunk 2077: the game has now joined the Xbox Game Pass library, making this dystopian future more accessible than ever.

The Edgerunners 2 Effect: Fueling Night City's Population Boom?

GameRant has indicated a potential reason for the recent surge in Cyberpunk 2077's Steam PC player figures: the announcement of a second season for the Netflix series, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

When Cyberpunk 2077 first launched, it faced a mixed reception from players, primarily due to various story shortcomings and significant technical issues, especially on consoles.

From Rocky Launch to Netflix Sensation

However, a significant turning point arrived in 2022 with the release of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a collaboration between Netflix and CD Projekt Red. This animated series quickly became a massive success on the streaming platform, resonating deeply with Cyberpunk enthusiasts.

Initially, many believed that the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners series would be a standalone, limited release from Netflix and CD Projekt Red. Given that it has been nearly three years since the show's initial broadcast on Netflix in September 2022, the recent confirmation of a second season came as a considerable and welcome surprise to its dedicated fanbase.