Cyberpunk 2077’s colossal expansion, Phantom Liberty, has proven to be nothing short of a game-changer. Providing a new clarification, the developers revealed that CD Projekt Red spent over $60 million on its development and an additional $21 million for marketing, bringing the total investment for the DLC to nearly half ($80 million) of what it took to create the entire base game of Cyberpunk 2077.
CD Projekt Red Spent Almost $80 Million On Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty
Three years after Cyberpunk 2077’s release, CDPR is back with Phantom Liberty, a new addition that seeks to completely revamp the game while also bringing in a tonne of new content. It’s exciting to say that this is the Cyberpunk 2077 adaptation that fans have been waiting for.
During an investor presentation on October 5, CD Projekt Red disclosed the comprehensive budget for Phantom Liberty. The expenses were divided between zł275 million for “direct production expenditures” and another zł95 million for “marketing campaign costs.” When converted, this amounts to approximately $63 million and $21 million in USD, respectively, totaling around $84 million.
In comparison, it is reported that the development of Cyberpunk 2077 alone cost $174 million. When accounting for the additional $142 million invested in marketing the dystopian RPG, the overall expenditure surges. Remarkably, CD Projekt Red allocated considerably less funding for marketing the new DLC compared to the main game.
This allocation of nearly $85 million for the development and marketing of a single expansion showcases the exorbitant costs associated with modern game development. It also underscores the reality that large-scale, high-budget games must succeed and cannot afford to falter.
During a presentation, it was implied that CD Projekt Red spent zł178 million (approximately $40 million) on adapting Cyberpunk 2077 for next-gen consoles and creating the 2.0 update. However, it was clarified that this figure primarily relates to expenses tied to the base game, not just the update.
Despite the initial issues with Cyberpunk 2077, the game and its new expansion have seen strong sales post-update 2.0. CD Projekt Red is confident in the ongoing success of both the DLC and the main game, drawing parallels with the long-lasting popularity and sales of The Witcher 3 and its DLC.
With work on a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel and a live-action spin-off in progress, CD Projekt Red’s significant investment in revitalizing Cyberpunk 2077’s reputation and long-term success is seen as a strategic move that has paid off, turning the game into a resounding success with a dedicated fanbase.
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