Cyberpunk 2077 Prequel Revealed: What Actually Is Night City 2045?

Two people sit on a rooftop, overlooking a vibrant, neon-lit cityscape at night. They are silhouetted against the glow of towering skyscrapers.
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By Alexandria LopezStaff Writer

Two people sit on a rooftop, overlooking a vibrant, neon-lit cityscape at night. They are silhouetted against the glow of towering skyscrapers.
  • Primary Subject: Night City 2045 (Cyberpunk 2077 Prequel Sourcebook)
  • Key Update: R. Talsorian Games, in collaboration with CDPR, is releasing a 312-page "Night City 2045" sourcebook detailing the city's history three decades before V.
  • Status: Confirmed
  • Last Verified: April 21, 2026
  • Quick Answer: Night City 2045 is a tabletop sourcebook prequel launching June 17, 2026, while CD Projekt RED develops the video game sequel, codenamed Project Orion.

A prequel to Cyberpunk 2077, Night City 2045, is officially in the works. But it might not be in the way you expect.

CD Projekt RED has confirmed that they are in the midst of developing the next major entry in the franchise, which currently has the alias Project Orion. While it might not be a video game, it's giving fans a major glimpse into the world before 2077.

Curious about the next step for Night City and when we can expect it? Here's everything we know so far.

What is Night City 2045?

While we wait for the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt RED, in collaboration with R. Talsorian Games, shifts gears and focuses on the year 2045 with the new sourcebook, Night City 2045.

Futuristic cityscape at night with neon-lit skyscrapers, digital billboards, and vibrant holograms. Reflective river and bridge in the foreground; cyberpunk ambiance.
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Credit: CD Projekt RED

The plot of this era is set after the 4th Corporate War has just ended. While the big leagues are taking their rest, everyone else is left to fend for themselves in a shattered world.

With people wired in with interface plugs in their wrists and loaded with chrome, they're able to take themselves to the Edge - a world full of opportunities.

READ MORE: No DLC but an Arcade Game? Cyberpunk 2077 Chrome Rush Revealed

The lore is supported by the Cyberpunk RED sourcebooks, which fill you in on Night City and what happened three decades before you play as V in Cyberpunk 2077.

These books feature deep dives into Night City's factions, including gangs, criminal organizations, and security providers, breaking the city down district by district.

When Will Night City 2045 Release?

Pre-orders for Night City 2045 have opened, with the release set for June 2026.

Illustration of three hooded figures attacking another person in a rainy, dimly lit urban street. The scene is tense, conveying violence and chaos.
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Credit: CD Projekt RED

READ MORE: Why Cyberpunk 2077's Night City is Still My Favorite Open World

We likely won't see a new Cyberpunk 2077 video game for a couple of years. Currently, the studio is focusing on The Witcher IV, which is speculated to release sometime in 2027 or 2028. With that, we can probably expect Project Orion to drop between 2028 and 2030.

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