Ethan Crossfield 
A new Cyberpunk release appears to have leaked ahead of any official word from CD Projekt Red, potentially setting up another way for fans to jump into Night City—just as Cyberpunk 2077 remains active with strong player interest.
What happened
Cyberpunk 2077 fans may soon have more to look forward to after an apparent leak revealed a new project tied to the Cyberpunk universe. The report suggests CD Projekt Red is collaborating with WayForward Technologies on a game based on the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime.
The leak traces the project’s existence to a former WayForward employee’s portfolio. That portfolio reportedly points to an in-development title under the codename “Gemini,” described as being in research and design rather than full production. The same source claims R&D activity took place during 2025 and 2026.
The project is also described as a 2.5D brawler. It’s not clear whether the game is still moving forward or whether it was canceled before an official announcement—an important uncertainty, given how often early internal work never reaches market.
WayForward’s involvement may sound unexpected to some players, but the developer has experience working on well-known established brands. The source notes prior work including Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp for Nintendo in 2023 and Contra: Operation Galuga for Konami in 2024.
Why it matters
The leak arrives at a time when Cyberpunk 2077 is still drawing attention. According to the source, the game reached a new peak player count in June, with the highest Steam concurrent numbers since the Phantom Liberty DLC launched in 2023.
That doesn’t guarantee future releases will land with the same momentum, but it does indicate that interest in the franchise remains strong years after launch. For CD Projekt Red, any additional Cyberpunk product—especially a spin-off—could help bridge the long gaps between major entries.
The timing is also notable because the company is reportedly working on multiple projects. In addition to the rumored WayForward collaboration, the source mentions a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel in development under the codename “Project Orion.” Pre-production is said to have started in 2025, implying that a full next AAA release may still be some distance away.
If “Gemini” is real and continues, a 2.5D brawler format could offer a faster path than an open-world AAA production—potentially giving fans something new while they wait for the next major chapter.
What to watch next
With nothing confirmed yet by either CD Projekt Red or WayForward, the next step is straightforward: watch for official announcements that either validate the collaboration or contradict the leak.
Several questions will likely determine whether this becomes a meaningful addition to the franchise or fades away as canceled work. First, whether the Gemini project is still active after its reported R&D period. Second, how CD Projekt Red positions it relative to Project Orion, especially since fans may be expecting a broader continuation of Cyberpunk 2077’s world.
Finally, pay attention to how the market reacts to the concept of a 2.5D brawler. The source notes that some fans may prefer experiences closer to what they originally enjoyed in Cyberpunk 2077, so the pitch will need to clearly differentiate itself while still feeling unmistakably Cyberpunk.
Practical takeaways
- Treat the “Gemini” project as unconfirmed until CD Projekt Red or WayForward officially addresses it.
- Cyberpunk 2077’s recent Steam peak suggests the franchise still has momentum—good news for any future spin-offs.
- A 2.5D brawler would likely feel very different from the core open-world experience, so expectations may need adjusting.
- If Project Orion is still early, smaller projects like a spin-off could matter more for keeping fans engaged.
| Item | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Leaked project | A Cyberpunk: Edgerunners game codenamed “Gemini” |
| Collaboration | CD Projekt Red and WayForward Technologies |
| Reported development stage | Research and design phase |
| Style | 2.5D brawler |
| Status uncertainty | Unclear if it was canceled or still in progress |
Expert View
Leaks like this can pressure studios into clarifying timelines, but they also risk inflating expectations around work that may never ship. For CD Projekt Red, the strategic upside is clear: Cyberpunk 2077 still has an audience, and a smaller-format spin-off could keep that audience invested while a longer-term sequel like Project Orion takes shape. The real test will be whether “Gemini” becomes a confirmed product—and whether WayForward’s brawler approach can deliver a Cyberpunk experience that fans actually want, not just one they’re curious about.
