A Troubled Beginning
Looking back at the end of 2020, it is difficult to grasp how Cyberpunk 2077 has reached its current heights. The game’s initial release was widely considered a catastrophe. While the PC experience was somewhat stable, the console versions were so technically flawed that Sony famously removed the title from the PlayStation Store. At the time, the situation seemed so dire that many suggested the studio should simply address the most glaring errors and move on.
The Path to Redemption
Today, the narrative is vastly different. The game boasts a "very positive" rating on Steam and has officially crossed the 40 million sales mark. This achievement highlights a rare level of persistence in the gaming industry, where companies often abandon struggling projects rather than investing years into fixing them.
CD Projekt’s co-CEO, Michał Nowakowski, views this milestone as a proof of concept for the studio's future:
«40 million copies sold shows the incredible, lasting strength of Cyberpunk 2077 and is a testament to what CD Projekt does best—creating high-quality, immersive stories that keep players returning for years. It's a great foundation for our upcoming projects in this universe, including the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 anime arriving this fall.»
Looking Ahead
Despite the success, studio leadership remains humble regarding the game's past reputation. Nowakowski previously admitted that the "redemption arc" might not be fully complete in the eyes of all players, noting that some trust was lost indefinitely. However, the studio remains committed to earning back that faith with future releases, including the next chapter of The Witcher series.
Sales Context
While the game benefited significantly from massive pre-release hype—selling 13 million units in its first ten days—its long-term growth is a direct result of the continuous improvements made post-launch. For comparison, it is still chasing the record of The Witcher 3, which has surpassed 65 million sales. Nevertheless, achieving 40 million is an impressive feat for a title that many once believed was destined to be forgotten as a commercial failure.