The gaming community is eagerly awaiting the September 26 launch of the Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077. In a bid to manage expectations and prepare players for a seamless gaming experience, Filip Pierściński, the game’s lead scene programmer, has recently issued cautionary advice. The programmer took to social media to notify PC players that the game’s forthcoming Version 2.0 update, which will accompany the expansion, may put significant strain on CPU resources.
Pierściński’s Twitter message was clear-cut: “Before [we] release Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 and Phantom Liberty please check conditions of your cooling systems in PC,” he warned. “We all use what you have, so workload on CPU 90% on 8 core is expected. To save your time please run Cinebench or similar and check stability of your systems.”
Given the expected CPU workload, players are encouraged to run Cinebench or similar programs to evaluate their PC’s ability to handle the update. Cinebench is a free diagnostic tool that tests a computer’s hardware capabilities. This pre-emptive measure will help players avoid system failures or performance issues during gameplay.
To further fuel the excitement, CD Projekt Red is hosting a Night City Wire livestream event this Thursday. The livestream promises an inside look at what the Phantom Liberty expansion has to offer. Viewers can also expect “a surprise or two,” although no details have been disclosed as of yet.
CD Projekt Red’s decision to release only a single expansion for Cyberpunk 2077 has raised some eyebrows. According to the company, this decision is largely technological, resulting from their shift to Unreal Engine development. The move to Unreal Engine is significant, not just for Cyberpunk 2077, but for the future endeavours of CD Projekt Red.
In a move that signals a long-term commitment to Unreal Engine technology, CD Projekt Red announced a 15-year partnership with Epic Games last March. This collaboration aims to focus on Unreal Engine projects, encompassing both engine and game development. This partnership could usher in a new era of gaming experiences, further heightening expectations for what’s to come in Cyberpunk 2077 and beyond.
As the Phantom Liberty expansion and the major Version 2.0 update for Cyberpunk 2077 draw near, players are strongly advised to test their systems rigorously to ensure optimal performance. With the CPU-intensive nature of the update, failing to do so might result in less than satisfactory gameplay. Players should also keep an eye out for the Night City Wire livestream for more updates and surprises.
So, mark your calendars for September 26, prep your PCs, and stay tuned for what promises to be a significant milestone in the ever-evolving world of Cyberpunk 2077.