The much-hyped sci-fi adventure Cyberpunk 2077 has finally been launched on the PlayStation store, more than six months after the game’s initial release.
Sony removed the title from sale on its digital platform barely a week after its launch in December 2020, when users began to report catastrophic bugs and constant crashes. Characters trapped in jerking animation loops, disappearing vehicles and random nudity were among the most notorious glitches collated by players and game sites. In a statement on Twitter, the company told purchasers, “SIE [Sony Interactive Entertainment] strives to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction, and we will begin to offer a full refund for all gamers who have purchased Cyberpunk 2077 via PlayStation Store.”
The developer, CD Projekt RED, spent the weeks after the game’s release apologising to players who experienced technical issues – on PC and Xbox One as well as PlayStation – and promised exhaustive fixes. The game had already been delayed several times, after the initial date of 16 April 2020 was given during E3 2019. After that date was pushed back several times, reports emerged of punishing working conditions at the studio.
Despite the issues, the game sold more than 13m copies in its first week, and the initial critical response was positive. However in a recent conference call to investors to discuss the studio’s first-quarter 2021 financials, the company provided no new sales figures for the title, leading analysts to predict dire figures for the year.
Although the PlayStation 4 version is now available for download, a free upgrade to an enhanced PlayStation 5 version is not due until the second half of 2021. Furthermore, in its statement on the launch, CD Projekt RED has admitted that PS4 owners may still experience “some performance issues” while it works to improve stability. “Playing on PS4 Pro and PS5 will provide the best Cyberpunk 2077 experience on PlayStation,” the statement concedes. On the PlayStation Store itself, a note on the game’s page states simply, “Purchase for use on PS4 systems is not recommended.”
