After spending six years working on Cyberpunk 2077 -- and almost 13 years at developer CD Projekt Red -- creative, narrative, and setting director Sebastian Stepien has moved on to pastures new. The veteran has left the company to join Blizzard in order to work on a currently unspecified project. It goes without saying that this discovery has sparked some serious speculation across the gaming sphere.
As it's always quick to do, the internet has coughed up numerous potential reasons as to why Stepien has moved away from CD Projekt Red, but there are two common threads. The first is a cynical one: Cyberpunk 2077's development has been a rough ride and Stepien's departure is just another indicator of this. The second potential reason is much happier: Cyberpunk 2077 is actually a lot closer to being finished than many of us thought, and Stepien has left because his job's done.
Either of them could well be true for all we know, but as is usually the case, it's probably best not to jump to conclusions. The gaming industry is a constantly shifting beast, with developers jumping from one studio to the next all the time. While Stepien clearly had an important role at CD Projekt Red that he's held down for many years, we need to remember that the Polish outfit is now bigger than it ever has been. Stepien isn't the first veteran to leave and he won't be the last -- it's just how it goes.
it's also worth pointing out that CD Projekt Red is still hiring for various positions when it comes to Cyberpunk 2077, suggesting that, yes, the title won't be released for quite some time yet. In any case, we like to think that the developer knows what it's doing, and hopefully, we get to see more of Cyberpunk 2077 sooner rather than later.
What do you make of this? Keep on guessing that Cyberpunk 2077 release date in the comments section below.
[source linkedin.com]
Comments 50
highly doubt this game is close to release
Push Square: the voice of sanity and reason amid rampant and unfounded gaming industry speculation since (20xx, insert year of establishment here).
I think this game is alot closer to release than people think
Any Cyberpunk 2077 news is good news to me so it's definitely the latter.
I’m not getting this unless it has a third person mode.
Its sad to see all these big companies scoop up all the talent.... 😑 😔
He left because it was a steaming pile, of course. Similar to when Amy Hennig Left Naughty Dog. We all saw what a horrible mess Uncharted 4 turned out to be...
/sarcasm
Whether the game is near completion or not, the role of Creative, Narrative and Setting Director could well have fulfilled their specific role for this game.
We know the setting and I wouldn't be surprised if that is all planned if not completed. The main Narrative could well be complete too - even if its not fully realised in game. You have to have the story complete before the game is finished. I am sure that any additional storylines from side quests etc can be handled by others - if they need to add more. As far as Creative direction, the E3 demo showed that the game-play, aesthetics and mechanics are in place.
Point is, even if the game is still a year or more away, the fundamentals are likely to be already in place leaving the rest of the team to finish off putting everything together and polishing it ready for release.
@OmegaYato Your choice (or loss). I think the first person perspective adds something unique and makes the game more immersive too. Seeing the enhancements being made to 'you' instead of just a character on screen is much more immersive and more personal. It also makes gun play a lot better too. 3rd Person works well with a defined character - like Nathan Drake but for a character that is more a blank canvas to put yourself into, 1st person works better. Certain game-play mechanics also work well in 3rd person, like sword/melee combat and car driving (although car driving can work well in 1st person too of course). Point is, 1st person has advantages and I am certainly not going to be so pathetic as to say 'no 3rd person, no buy' - especially if the game lives up to the promise...
@OmegaYato It doesn't so...
@OmegaYato I'm not getting this unless it comes to Nintendo switch😒😵😂.ok hahaha.word up son
@OmegaYato
Same. I don't know why you get down voted.
I just don't play first pers games.
Edit: unless its VR of course!
Studio downgrade in my opinion, but one must go where there is work.
@OmegaYato That's just your perspective...
Yeah, I am going with his job is done. Simple as that and nothing to worry about. Now for the view perspective being first person. Sometimes it just works better. Even more so in tight places, I have hated the camera angles many times in third person games. You create a character so I am sure there will be plenty of times you see yourself in the game. It can make interaction with NPC's more personal and you remember them more because of the immersion. Look at the picture of the game above, your character standing by the car.
@playstation1995 Are you making an idiot out of yourself again? Looks like it since you like to criticize products you don’t own.
@BAMozzy Stop riding CDPR for a second. A first person game like this is sure to make some people nauseous & ruin their experience, doesn’t make them pathetic or anything else. I’d say more, but this site caters to soccer moms. Immersion means nothing if I’m going to feel sick while playing.
@JJ2 Voicing concerns on this site isn’t allowed. First person games make some people nauseous and that’s why they would like a third person option, I guess that makes them the bad people. FPP is fine when I’m aiming, but through an entire game as big is this? Can’t do it. But that’s a problem for the “hardcore gamers”.
@OmegaYato first person is fine by me.the game looks great dog.word up son
Reminds me of when Amy Hennig left during Uncharted 4 development
@OmegaYato
I got the same problem since the 90s. I feel it so counter intuitive, so unnatural , in a word so 'silly' that it actually makes me sick.
Funnily enough I love the first person in VR though
@BAMozzy
'so pathetic as to say 'no 3rd person, no buy' -'
Wow. That 'toxicity' was really unnecessary.
Would you guys ever understand that people should be able to express such a simple and personal view without getting called names or in any way be belittled by others?
@JJ2 Quote the FULL sentence - I said I wouldn't be so pathetic... If you think that is 'toxic', then that is your opinion but I am doing exactly the same - expressing my opinion. If people 'feel' belittled by that, surely that is their insecurities and issue as I never aimed that at anyone other than myself!
It is ridiculous to make a statement like 'no 1st person, no buy' and is like saying 'no double jump, no buy for God of War instead of playing the game to see how that works within the game, how the story and mechanics work in context and what that adds to the game.
If some intend to miss out on a game for a ridiculous reason, that is their choice but I won't be so pathetic as to cut off an avenue of gaming enjoyment for such a petty reason - the Devs decided that 1st person suited this game better,, added more to the experience, game-play and immersion and therefore decided to make the game this way. They have explained why they opted to go first person and the reasons make a lot of sense.
@playstation1995 The world doesn’t revolve around you. Stay in your lane.
@BAMozzy I explained to you why myself & others don’t want to play the game. So me and others are supposed to be persuaded by a developers word and buy a game that makes us feel uneasy? No. What you need to do is learn to respect someone else’s decisions instead of going off about it. I don’t care how big of a CDPR fan you might be. Yeah the developers made the game the way they wanted & but not everyone can enjoy it.
@TalentedGamer Never said it revolves around me. Who are you again? A desperate person who wants to be a part of something. Move along, boy.
@OmegaYato I'm the best.sega genesis does what nintendont.i heard cyberpunk 2077 I coming to the snes😜😬😵.word up son
@OmegaYato A lot of game devs make games I don't like so if its not for you - tough!!! move on and play the games that are more to your liking, your preference! CDPR or any other dev does NOT have to pander to you or change their design because you can't play FPS games.
If the game isn't for you, why bother coming to thread and commenting? What are you hoping to achieve? What was the point?? Its like going into the God of War article and saying no double jump, no buy or going into every PSVR article and saying 'no TV support, no buy because PSVR makes you sick. If PSVR makes you sick, don't bother reading articles on PSVR or commenting...
@OmegaYato
Dude pipe down you are making yourself look like an utter muppet now do us all a favour and move onto playing something else we are not all "soccer moms" and actually most of us are either the hardcore gamers or are ex hardcore gamers (like myself) but I dont care if Cyberpunk is 3rd or 1st person im still getting it.
@playstation1995 word up son
@Ypmud haha I know right omata tomatoes whatever is name is is making a big deal out of nothing. I don't care if cyberpunk is a fps I'm still playing it.cd project red ain't changing it to third person because 🍅 tomatoes omegayato😒.says so.word up son
@BAMozzy he complains about everything.😱don't worry about omega ya to if he don't like the game.dont buy it.i love cyberpunk 2077.i don't care if it's fps.it looks great.maybe he should play some switch games.they don't have fps.cd project ain't changing nothing.and I'm happy.word up son
@playstation1995
It seems a bit of a silly move by others to make negative comments on what will be the last AAA title of this generation IMHO and it should be an asolute monster
@Ypmud theatres a lot of haters in the world.its messed up.people like tomatoes yato.complains about everything.oh another zombie game.oh another fps.oh I'm tired of metroidvania games.like you say the generation is almost over.and CD project will put a stamp on being in the top 5 best devs.this game will be a monster masterpiece.word up son
@playstation1995
Im not sure what else will come out this generation I imagine its going to be Cyberpunk and possibly TLOU2
@Ypmud maybe death stranding. hopefully we get a new bioshock.dragon dogma.a new dragon age is coming.dying light 2.and doom eternal is coming and more.word up son
@playstation1995
cant see a new bioshock personally
Dragon age wont be this generation its bioware afterall
im thinking on the seriously big AAA games
@OmegaYato . 'I’d say more, but this site caters to soccer moms.'
It doesn't. I was actually waiting on the halftime oranges on Sunday morning and Sammy Barker was nowhere to be seen.
@Ypmud they definitely will have a big AAA games for this generation.remember e3 is this summer.even if Sony is not there they will be huge announcements.word up son
@themcnoisy I been gaming since Atari also.i check and u grew up in Atari also.cant believe the graphics looks so real now.atari was the start of gaming for me I been addicted since.you are a true retro gamer playa.word up son
@playstation1995 You just love making an idiot out of yourself. I guess age doesn’t always come with wisdom.
@OmegaYato the wisdom.imthe wizard .knowledge is the 🔑 key dog.a wise man won't fall under pressure.word up son
Jeez what the hell happened here? I don't want to ban anyone, but I will! Don't make me do it!
@ShogunRok Y’know, just having a different opinion. Then it all went downhill from there.
I don’t know why people are so cynical about CD Project RED these days. They haven’t let down yet, why would they now? Maybe the dude is working on Diablo 4? That’d be hella tight!
I'm sure CDPR will be fine. Like you guys said, his work on the game could be finished so he's exploring other venues.
Some people welcome new working environments and the challenges that come with them.
@BAMozzy
Man....
Your saying someone comment is 'pathetic' for no reason. It's clear enough. That sounds toxic to me and sure enough, he replied in an unfriendly manner, which I don't support but understand.
Come on. Look into your heart and use your head. Comments don't have to be an endless argument with 'points' trying to prove one is right and someone is wrong.
And think of what your saying for one second, please, without passion.
'it's ridiculous to say....' I won't buy a game if its only first person view''...(nothing remotely similar with a jump button and you know it)
Think for Christ sake. That's just a fanatic attitude to not tolerate someone's feeling, opinion.
Regarding cyberpunk, I hope I'm wrong, but I think it's not coming out any time soon.
@BAMozzy , The Witcher big huge amazing success is connected to the fact that was nice and easy to play in PC, X-box and Playstation. The controller actualy was better than the mouse keyboad, unless you where using the crossbow (in my opinion). A fps won't have the same success simply because there are so many people that have playstations and X-Boxes and won't buy it Because of this. Don't get me wrong, it will also be a huge success, but I think it won't be as big as The Witcher exactly because it's a fps.
Btw, @TalentedGamer @BAMozzy @playstation1995 , I really don't understand your 'thing'. Calm down. People have the right to express their opinions about games and news, that's why there's a comment section.. @OmegaYato expressed his oppinion. So he doesn't buy fp games. Big deal. There are so many people that have motion sickness and can't buy a tone of games.
Suddently your attacking his person. Why? because he said something about the game some of you said to love but haven't even tried?? really? lol. Nice attitude. And if you've been playing since Atari you are old enough to behave accordingly to your age.
I usually don't make comments like this because I don't have the right to judge anyone, but I think you should calm down and reconsider the way you 'talk' to other people, no? Btw, you could be talking to a child, you don't know (probably not, but anyway..). Once again, behave accordingly to your age.
@JJ2 problem is, I'm pretty sure they stated from day one (near enough) that it would be exclusively 1st person, with the exception of vehicles. I was, at first, a bit disheartened by the prospect of not seeing my character immersed in the world, but actually, am coming more round to the idea of fpp, even though it isn't essentially or only a fps. Even Skryim I started to prefer in fp, except for when I was sneaking around, so I'm pretty excited for this game. Let alone, because they did such an outstanding job on the Witcher, so I have faith in them. For what I know of the game design, I feel fpp will work really well, especially if you have a nice sound system, because then you can situate yourself more accurately in the shoes of the protagonist, picking up information from npcs and background activity, etc. which seems to be a huge part of the game, and wouldn't work so well, I feel, in 3rd person.
I am confused, however, that you don't play fps, but like vr, which left me nauseated after ten minutes. I'd defo prefer sitting on a sofa and playing via the TV to a vr headset for lengthier gaming sessions...
@J2theEzzo
It's true that VR is more likely to make you feel nauseated precisely because it's immersive and realistic. It's matter of practice, I believe, and everyone may have different methods to get VR feet because we r all different after all.
It depends on the game and the player. Sometimes VR makes me feel uneasy, sometimes it's cool.
What I meant is I just hate it on a TV for a number of reasons and I struggle to explain how it makes me feel. Sort of claustrophobic? Frustrated at the lack of peripheral vision? For people saying it's immersive, just try to look at a TV while it's off and you can see that little screen as nothing to do with a natural vision. Maybe I'm just more aware of it than the average person.
Point is, theres nothing wrong not to like 1st pers on a screen and theres also NOTHING WRONG IN SAYING IT IN AN ARTICLE THAT COULD IMPLY THE GAME IS STILL FAR OFF.
@JJ2 yeah yeah, you go ahead man... We all have the right to an opinion!
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