Most forms of media and entertainment divide ideas up into a number of different genres. In video games, you’ve got your RPGs, your FPS, the strategies, the simulators. Within those different genres are even further categories. Some games are post-apocalyptic, some are modern, others historical, even more are fantasy. A great number of games feature pirates, there are tons that use vampires, zombies, and ninjas are just two others that come out to play. These are all well and good, but there’s even more out there to explore, rather than just regurgitating the same old same old. The last great unexplored frontier is, in my opinion, cyberpunk.
Before anyone eye rolls and goes immediately to the comments, yes, Cyberpunk 2077 . CD Projekt Red’s beautiful title actually accounts for the core of my argument. The hype that has surrounded this game the entire time it’s been in production is just proof that cyberpunk as a theme in video games is absolutely underutilized. Of course, CD Projekt Red could come out with Plastic Bag Simulator, where you drift on the wind with your fellow litter, and everyone would probably love it or at least give it a try. So I’m not saying that all of Cyberpunk 2077 ‘s hype is due to the subject matter. Although, it’s prudent to mention that the game’s original source material (tabletop RPG, Cyberpunk 2020 ) is likely a decent contributor to the fame as well.
CD Projekt Red and the original Cyberpunk aside, plenty of people are massively excited for 2077 who have not come into contact with the overriding theme before. I’ve been a cyberpunk fan seemingly forever, but especially since the days of Dreamfall: The Longest Journey . I even waited a long time for the release of Dreamfall Chapters , just to dig into the cyberpunk realm again. Now with Cyberpunk 2077 and other titles, like Neo Cab , the theme is really starting to succeed, and become more prevalent.
My hope here is that cyberpunk becomes as popular a theme as pirates or soldiers in video games. I would adore to see flashing neon lights, alternative hairstyles/fashion choices, and near future weapons/vehicles/homes becoming more common. We see fantasy settings absolutely all the time in video games. No matter how many times I’m asked to slay a dragon, it still excites me. Put a half shave or a mohawk on me, give me a leather jacket, and tell me it’s time to take down the big bad corporation, and I will step to like nobody’s business every single time.
It’s clear that I’m not the only one to think this way, as Cyberpunk 2077 ‘s massive success proves. The game won over 60 awards at E3 2018! Many people are just as psyched about cyberpunk environments as I am. In addition, the popularity of this title will make people much more receptive to further cyberpunk games into the future. Neo Cab looks like a really simple adventure game, but I am absolutely going to give it a try just for the cyberpunk aspect. If twelve more games came out at the same time with a similar theme, I’d give those a try too.
Some times it might seem like all avenues of creativity have already been explored. But with something like cyberpunk, it’s easy to see that’s not true. This is one type of packaging that we just haven’t seen on a ton of games yet, and I’d love to see that change.