Why Was Cyberpunk 2077 Launch So Bad And Is It Fixed Now

In December 2020, the gaming world held its breath for one of the most anticipated releases in a decade: Cyberpunk 2077. Developed by CD Projekt Red, the studio behind the acclaimed The Witcher 3, expectations were sky-high. But when the game finally launched, it didn’t just fail to meet those expectations—it crashed headfirst into a wall of bugs, performance issues, and broken promises. The fallout was immediate: player outrage, refund demands, plummeting stock prices, and even legal action. Yet, nearly four years later, the narrative has shifted. Patches, updates, and expansions have reshaped the game. So what went wrong at launch, and is Cyberpunk 2077 actually fixed now?

The Hype Machine: Years of Overpromising

From its initial reveal in 2012 to its eventual release in 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 was marketed as a revolutionary open-world RPG. Trailers showcased a living, breathing Night City—packed with dynamic NPCs, intricate dialogue systems, and seamless transitions between driving, shooting, and hacking. CD Projekt Red emphasized player choice, environmental interactivity, and AI-driven characters who reacted meaningfully to the player’s actions.

The studio cultivated an image of transparency and quality. Their slogan, “We are gamers, too,” resonated with fans who trusted them after the success of The Witcher series. However, this trust became a double-edged sword. As development dragged on through multiple delays—from 2018 to 2020—the marketing momentum never slowed. Each new trailer raised the bar higher, promising features that internal builds couldn’t support.

“We wanted to deliver something groundbreaking. But ambition outpaced execution.” — Adam Badowski, Head of Studio, CD Projekt Red

Insiders later revealed that development was chaotic. Crunch culture was rampant, with reports of 50- to 60-hour workweeks lasting months. Teams were siloed, communication broke down, and core systems like AI behavior and physics integration remained unstable late into development. Despite these red flags, leadership pushed forward with a firm release date, prioritizing business commitments over polish.

Tip: When a game is delayed multiple times but marketing continues aggressively, skepticism is warranted. Polished demos don’t always reflect final product stability.

The Launch Disaster: Broken Promises and Unplayable Performance

On December 10, 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 released across PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and next-gen consoles. While the PC version had issues, it was playable for many with high-end hardware. The real catastrophe unfolded on last-gen consoles.

Players reported:

• Frequent crashes and soft locks
• Texture pop-in so severe it obscured entire buildings
• AI pathfinding failures (cars driving into walls, NPCs floating mid-air)
• Dialogue bugs where characters spoke off-screen or failed to appear
• Quest triggers not activating, breaking progression
• Frame rates dropping below 10 FPS during basic gameplay

On PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the experience was borderline unplayable. Reviewers gave it scores as low as 3/10. Within days, Sony removed the game from the PlayStation Store—an unprecedented move for a first-party digital title. They offered full refunds, a rare admission of failure.

The backlash wasn’t just technical. Players felt misled. Features heavily promoted—like deep NPC relationships, branching dialogue consequences, and interactive environments—were either missing or severely underdeveloped. For example, the much-touted “dialogue stealth” option, where players could talk their way past guards, was rarely functional. Environmental interactions were scripted rather than systemic.

A Real Example: The PS4 Owner’s Nightmare

Consider Mark, a long-time The Witcher fan from Chicago, who pre-ordered the PlayStation 4 edition. Excited to dive into Night City, he booted up the game on launch day. Within 15 minutes, the game froze twice. Textures failed to load during a key story mission, turning a dramatic confrontation into a surreal mess of grey voids. An NPC he was supposed to negotiate with never appeared. After three attempts, he gave up. By day three, he requested a refund. “I didn’t want my money back,” he said in a Reddit post. “I just wanted the game I was promised.”

Damage Control: Apologies, Refunds, and a Long Road to Redemption

CD Projekt Red responded quickly—but not before the damage was done. CEO Marcin Iwiński issued a public apology, admitting the team had “failed to meet expectations.” The company offered refunds across all platforms, even partnering with Sony to automate the process. Internal changes followed: several senior developers stepped down, and the studio committed to ending crunch practices.

More importantly, they announced a comprehensive repair plan. Instead of rushing DLC, they focused on stabilization. In February 2021, Patch 1.2 addressed hundreds of bugs. Patch 1.3 improved save stability and quest logic. By mid-2021, the game was significantly more stable, though still flawed.

The turning point came with the release of Update 1.5 in September 2021, which included major visual upgrades and performance improvements tailored for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. This update laid the foundation for the next phase: redemption through content and refinement.

Step-by-Step: How CD Projekt Red Fixed Cyberpunk 2077

1. Immediate Response (Dec 2020 – Jan 2021): Issued public apology, enabled refunds, paused all non-critical development.
2. Stabilization Phase (Feb – Aug 2021): Released Patches 1.2 through 1.5, fixing thousands of bugs, improving AI, and optimizing performance.
3. Next-Gen Focus (Sep 2021): Launched Update 1.5 with ray tracing, SSD streaming, and enhanced textures for PS5/Xbox Series X|S.
4. Content Revival (2022–2023): Released free content updates, including new weapons, clothing, and side jobs.
5. Expansions & Re-Launch (2023–2024): Announced Phantom Liberty, a major paid expansion, and re-released the base game as a free next-gen upgrade.

Is Cyberpunk 2077 Fixed Now?

As of 2024, the answer is nuanced. The game is no longer the disaster it once was. On modern hardware—especially PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X—Cyberpunk 2077 is a competent, often excellent RPG. Frame rates are stable, bugs are rare, and the core gameplay loop of shooting, hacking, and role-playing works smoothly.

The Phantom Liberty expansion, released in September 2023, received widespread acclaim. It introduced espionage-themed missions, improved character writing, and tighter level design. Notably, it featured Idris Elba in a central role and delivered some of the best mission scripting in recent RPG history. Critics praised its pacing, emotional depth, and technical polish.

Moreover, CD Projekt Red has embraced community feedback. They’ve added quality-of-life features like photo mode, better fast travel, and expanded customization. The UI has been cleaned up, and difficulty options are more balanced.

However, some original flaws remain. Night City still feels less alive than promised. NPCs follow predictable routines, and ambient events are limited. The AI isn’t truly reactive; conversations are still largely linear. And while bugs are infrequent, they haven’t vanished entirely—especially in mod-heavy PC setups.

Still, the transformation is undeniable. What was once a cautionary tale is now a case study in post-launch recovery.

Aspect	Launch State (2020)	Current State (2024)
Performance (PS5/Xbox Series X)	Unplayable (10–20 FPS)	Stable 30–60 FPS
Bug Frequency	Constant (crashes every 15 mins)	Rare (minor glitches occasionally)
AI Behavior	Broken (floating NPCs, pathing fails)	Functional, but not dynamic
Story & Dialogue	Underwhelming, repetitive	Improved with Phantom Liberty
Player Trust	Severely damaged	Partially restored

Expert Insight: Can a Game Recover from Failure?

“Most studios would have walked away after a launch like that,” says Rebecca Hughes, a game industry analyst at Ampere Analysis. “What CD Projekt did was unusual—they doubled down on accountability. They didn’t just patch the game; they rebuilt their reputation through transparency and sustained effort.”

“Their recovery wasn’t instant, but it was consistent. That consistency rebuilt trust.” — Rebecca Hughes, Game Industry Analyst

Hughes notes that few AAA titles have recovered this thoroughly. Most damaged launches lead to franchise abandonment. Cyberpunk 2077’s revival proves that with resources, humility, and long-term commitment, even the deepest holes can be climbed out of.

Checklist: Is Cyberpunk 2077 Worth Playing Today?

Before diving in, consider this checklist:

• ✅ Are you playing on PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X|S? (Avoid last-gen consoles.)
• ✅ Have you updated to the latest patch (version 2.1 or higher)?
• ✅ Are you open to a story-driven RPG with shooter mechanics?
• ✅ Are you okay with some minor bugs, even in 2024?
• ✅ Are you interested in the Phantom Liberty expansion? (Highly recommended.)

If you answered yes to most of these, the game is likely worth your time—especially at its current discounted price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Cyberpunk 2077 on PS4 or Xbox One now?

Technically, yes—but not advised. While patches improved performance, the experience remains subpar compared to next-gen consoles. Loading times are long, visuals are downgraded, and occasional stutters persist. If you own a last-gen console, wait for a deeper discount or consider upgrading.

Do I need to play the base game before Phantom Liberty?

Yes. Phantom Liberty is an expansion, not a standalone game. You need the base Cyberpunk 2077 to access it. However, the expansion integrates seamlessly and enhances the overall narrative, especially in the endgame.

Are mods safe and effective for improving the game?

On PC, mods can greatly enhance the experience—fixing lighting, improving textures, or adding new quests. Popular mods like “Nahual” or “Wishlist” are stable and widely used. However, avoid mods that alter core game files unless you back up saves. Also, modding disables achievements on some platforms.

Conclusion: From Cautionary Tale to Comeback Story

Cyberpunk 2077’s launch was a perfect storm of hype, mismanagement, and technical overreach. It serves as a stark reminder that no amount of marketing can substitute for a finished product. But its recovery is equally instructive. Through sustained effort, humility, and a genuine commitment to players, CD Projekt Red turned a disaster into a redemption arc.

Today, Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t just “fixed”—it’s good. Not flawless, but worthy of the praise it initially sought. For players willing to engage on modern hardware and embrace its evolved state, Night City finally delivers on part of its promise. The neon glow isn’t just aesthetic anymore; it’s symbolic of resilience in the face of failure.

🚀 Have you played Cyberpunk 2077 recently? Share your experience—has it won you over, or is the damage too deep? Join the conversation and help others decide whether to enter Night City in 2024.