The analyst who forecasted a Witcher 3 expansion release in 2026 has told me they're "100 percent certain [CD Projekt Red] will release significant new content this year".
More than five years after its troubled original release, Cyberpunk 2077 continues to be one of the most relevant open-world RPGs of the modern era. Much of its success comes from the believable relationships it quickly establishes between its key characters and V, but the pre-disaster prologue with preem choom Jackie was never meant to go on for too long.
The first week of January 2026 finds CD Projekt Red in the middle of a structural overhaul. After years of quiet work following the Phantom Liberty launch, the studio cleared its plate. They sold GOG, moved their entire tech stack to Unreal Engine 5, and started pushing The Witcher into a permanent release cycle.
On December 29, 2025, CDPR sold 100% of GOG.com back to its original co-founder, Michał Kiciński, for PLN 90.7 million ($25.2 million). The storefront is now independent again.
For players, this protects the DRM-free mission. Kiciński wants GOG to return to its original purpose: reviving classic games and ensuring digital ownership. The studio will still launch future titles like The Witcher 4 on GOG, but the storefront can now focus on its Preservation Program without needing to compete with Steam’s scale or answer to quarterly earnings reports.
Rumors from Polish industry insider Borys Nieśpielak and financial analyst Mateusz Chrzanowski at Noble Securities point toward a massive, paid expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt dropping in May 2026.
This DLC connects the original trilogy to the new saga. It focuses on Ciri after the main game ends. The marketing features the School of the Lynx medallion, a new Witcher order that represents a break from the dying traditions of Kaer Morhen. Playing as Ciri lets us see the founding of this school, which positions her as the anchor for Project Polaris.
The internal Warsaw team isn’t developing this. Fool’s Theory—the studio remaking The Witcher 1—is handling it. This team includes many lead developers who built the original Wild Hunt. They’re using the familiar REDengine to deliver a standalone-style expansion (projected at $30) while the main CDPR staff stays focused on the new engine for The Witcher 4.
The transition to Unreal Engine 5.x is the foundation for everything CDPR plans between now and 2030. The State of Unreal tech demo showed how this shift affects actual gameplay.
Nanite Foliage means the forests of Kovir (the rumored setting for Polaris) use high-fidelity geometry. Trees and grass no longer pop in as you get closer.
Lumen Lighting makes all lighting dynamic. If you cast a Sign or walk past a light source, the shadows and reflections update instantly without the performance hit of traditional ray-tracing.
FastGeo Streaming is a tool CDPR co-developed with Epic Games. It streams massive amounts of data instantly, which matters for the dense urban environments planned for the Cyberpunk sequel.
The current plan splits development geographically so The Witcher and Cyberpunk don’t fight for the same resources.
| Project | Lead Team | Current Status | Expected Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| W3 Expansion | Fool’s Theory | Finishing Touches | May 2026 |
| Polaris (W4) | CDPR Warsaw | Full Production | Late 2027 |
| Sirius (Multiplayer) | CDPR / Molasses | Conceptual | 2028 |
| Orion (CP2) | CDPR Boston | Pre-production | 2030 |
Over 400 people in Warsaw are working on Polaris. It starts a new trilogy that CDPR plans to release over six years. By using a shared UE5 technical base, they expect to release The Witcher 5 and 6 much faster than previous sequels.
The Boston hub is now home to the Cyberpunk sequel. Lead designers from Phantom Liberty are building the team in North America. They want to integrate multiplayer directly into the core experience this time, turning Night City into a social hub instead of just a single-player playground. The game entered pre-production in May 2025 with an expected release no earlier than 2030.
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No, I'm not busy. Ignore the very famous actor acting moody in the corner, he'll be quiet if you pay him no mind. Also, do like I am and just pretend my holo-phone doesn't have a million urgent messages about some relic sitting in its inbox. Just sit here on the sofa, in this Cyberpunk 2077 flat, and watch as the big flying thing with Dogtown's military dictator's face on it floats between my futuristic kitchen and lounge, thanks to a new mod.
Warning: Spoilers for Cyberpunk 2077 lie ahead.
Cyberpunk 2077's narrative really kicks into gear when, after a job gone wrong, metal-infused merc protagonist V realises they're now living in the shadow of a Keanu Reeves-shaped clock. Despite this, you're free to while away hours doing a million things other than confronting your urgent mortality problem. It's something even CD Projekt themselves have joked about.
So, an ambitious Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer mod called CyberMP has been in development for a little while now, and the folks behind it have just concluded its "most stable and successful" closed beta test yet. Tweaks to key elements like vehicle and player synchronisation, as well as a new interface and custom lobbies went down well with testers, while technical gremlins were minimal.
If this is your first time hearing about CyberMP, it's a project that's currently being worked on by a team of 10, having first come to prominence last summer. Its goal is to offer multi-person deathmatches and races to Cyberpunkers, rather than full GTA Online-style co-op missioning or gigging.
Cyberpunk 2's dev team is set to grow substantially over the next couple of years, as CD Projekt ramp up development. While most of their ranks right now are on The Witcher 4, a game that's at least made some public cameos even if it's still sans release date, once 2027 rolls around, Cyberpunk 2 looks like it won't be too far behind.
This info comes from the company's latest financial report, covering the time running from July 1st to September 30th this year.
Cyberpunk 2077 is a comeback story for the ages. While I still don't think it has lived up to the pre-development hype, there's a really solid linear adventure to be found in the gargantuan open world of Night City. The game is now touted as one of the best RPGs ever made, rivaling developer CD Projekt Red's previous effort, The Witcher 3. I still think the Continent has a more believable, living, breathing world and Night City feels a little like a façade at times, but that doesn't stop me from hoping for more adventures in the studio's sci-fi offering.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: Cyberpunk 2077 hints at new update for fifth anniversary, so here's when you'll need to tune in for more
Gamers get a major announcement about a Cyberpunk 2077sequel, but it comes with a major caveat.
Cyberpunk 2077 has officially crossed a milestone that few expected when the game launched nearly five years ago. Despite its turbulent debut in 2020, the sci-fi RPG has now surpassed 35 million copies sold worldwide, putting it ahead of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in terms of early sales momentum. This makes Cyberpunk one of CD PROJEKT’s fastest-growing titles and a striking example of how strong post-launch support can completely reshape a game’s legacy.
Valve launched its first-ever official Black Friday sale in 2025, marking a historic shift in the company’s seasonal sales strategy. The Steam Black Friday Sale 2025 runs until December 1, giving gamers a full week to score incredible deals on thousands of titles across every genre imaginable.
Whether you’re hunting for AAA blockbusters like Battlefield 6, indie gems like Blue Prince, or looking to snag hardware discounts on the Steam Deck, this year’s event delivers unprecedented value for PC gamers. From massive publisher sales to deep cuts on 2025’s biggest releases, we’re breaking down everything you need to maximize your savings during this limited-time shopping extravaganza.
What Makes the Steam Black Friday 2025 Sale Special
The sale features a large list of games across basically every genre and sub-genre you can imagine, with a lot of the discounted games including titles that launched in 2025. This year’s event represents a significant milestone for Valve’s digital distribution platform, as it’s the first time the company has specifically branded a sale around the Black Friday shopping holiday.
The 2025 Steam Autumn Sale shifted earlier than usual, separated from the Winter Sale by several weeks, creating space for this new Black Friday event. Gamers can expect discounts ranging from modest 15-20% cuts on recent November releases to jaw-dropping 80-95% price slashes on classic titles and beloved franchises.
Top Publisher Deals During the Steam Black Friday Sale 2025
SEGA Black Friday Gaming Deals
SEGA is offering up to 80% off select games, with franchises like Sonic, Yakuza, Total War, and Persona all receiving substantial markdowns. Persona 5 Royal sits at 65% off, while the tactical spin-off Persona 5 Tactica drops 70%. Soul Hackers 2 reaches its lowest-ever Steam price at just $11.99.
PlayStation PC Exclusives on Steam
Several former PlayStation exclusives have received never-before-seen prices, with games available at up to 80% off. Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered and Miles Morales both hit 60% off for the first time directly on Steam. Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered offers another excellent entry point into Sony’s acclaimed franchises at competitive pricing.
Xbox Black Friday 2025 Sale
Popular Microsoft games are now up to 80% off. Gears of War: Reloaded drops to $25.99 despite launching just three months ago, while Halo: The Master Chief Collection hits $9.99. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is available for $17.49, and ReCore: Definitive Edition costs just $3.99.
Warhammer, EA, and Other Major Publishers
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is available for $23.99 with a 60% discount, representing the lowest price the game has ever been on Steam. Electronic Arts titles continue offering deep discounts, while Bethesda features more than 150 games and DLC at reduced prices. CD Projekt Red’s catalog, including Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher series, sees discounts up to 90% off.
Best Steam Deck Black Friday Deals 2025
Valve has marked down the Steam Deck, with the base LCD model getting $80 less than usual. The LCD 256GB version drops to just $319.20, the lowest price ever recorded, with this deal beating any previous sale by $50.
While the premium Steam Deck OLED models aren’t receiving Black Friday discounts, the LCD versions still offer incredible value for gamers looking to enter the handheld PC gaming space. The Steam Deck remains one of the most affordable ways to access your entire Steam library on the go, with performance capable of running most indie games and smaller titles smoothly in 2025.
For those seeking alternatives, competing handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS have dropped to $449 for the Ryzen Z2 Go model at Best Buy, making handheld gaming more accessible than ever.
Top Steam Black Friday Game Deals You Can’t Miss
2025’s Biggest Releases on Sale
Battlefield 6 is on sale for $59.49, which is 15% off the regular price, notable given that it’s one of the biggest games of 2025 and has only been out for a little more than a month. Other major 2025 releases seeing discounts include Arc Raiders, which maintains its reputation as one of the best games you can buy for $40.
The Oblivion remaster is currently on sale for its lowest-ever price on Steam at 33% off, letting Elder Scrolls fans return to Cyrodiil with enhanced graphics and updated mechanics. Tales of the Shire, the cozy Lord of the Rings game, hits 30% off, making it the cheapest it’s ever been.
Deep Discount Gaming Recommendations
Blue Prince, this year’s roguelite mystery game hit, is reaching its lowest-ever price on Steam at 34% off, blending strategy, mystery, and puzzles for a unique gameplay experience. Dave the Diver sits at 45% off, combining restaurant management with light RPG mechanics and achieving an Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is down 75% from its original price of $59.99 to only $14.99, representing one of the best deals during the entire sale. Resident Evil Village Gold Edition drops 70%, taking it from $49.99 to $14.99, including the base game, Winters’ Expansion, and Trauma Pack DLC.
Budget-Friendly Gaming Under $15
Games under specific price points make browsing for affordable deals easier during the Steam Black Friday Sale 2025. Smart shoppers should explore:
When Does the Steam Black Friday Sale 2025 End?
The first-ever Steam Black Friday Sale runs until December 1, providing gamers with a full week to browse thousands of discounts. Individual publisher promotions may end on different dates, so don’t wait until the final hours to make your purchases.
Black Friday Steam Deck deals sell out quickly, with the LCD 20% discount typically disappearing by Friday afternoon. Set notifications for wishlist items to catch price drops before they expire.
Steam Sale Shopping Tips and Strategies for 2025
Wishlist Management: Add games to your Steam wishlist before the sale begins. Steam will notify you when wishlist items go on discount, helping you track price drops across your most-wanted titles without missing opportunities.
Compare Prices Across Retailers: While Steam offers great deals, authorized key retailers like Humble Bundle, Fanatical, and Green Man Gaming sometimes beat Steam’s official pricing. Many competing PC game stores are running Black Friday sales on Steam codes, meaning you can still add games to your Steam library while spending even less.
Check Review Scores: Don’t let deep discounts blind you to mediocre games. Filter searches by positive review ratings to ensure quality purchases. Games with Overwhelmingly Positive or Very Positive ratings generally indicate solid experiences worth your money.
Refund Policy Awareness: Steam offers refunds on games with less than 2 hours of playtime within 14 days of purchase. If a game doesn’t meet expectations, you’re covered, making it safer to take chances on discounted titles.
Consider Multi-Game Bundles: Complete editions and multi-game collections often provide the best value during major sales. Look for Gold Editions, Ultimate Editions, and franchise bundles that package DLC, expansions, and multiple games together at steep discounts.
Hardware Price Warnings for December 2025
Memory prices have surged by 500% and SSD prices have risen by 100%, with retailers warning that prices on gaming PCs, GPUs, laptops, and SSDs will increase after December 7, 2025. This makes the Black Friday sale potentially the last opportunity for affordable gaming hardware purchases before significant price increases take effect.
If you’re considering upgrading your gaming PC, buying additional RAM, or adding storage capacity, act before early December. The Black Friday window represents a critical opportunity to lock in current pricing before the hardware market shifts dramatically.
Alternative Steam Key Retailers During Black Friday 2025
Many competing PC game stores are running Black Friday sales featuring Steam activation codes. Legitimate third-party sellers offering additional discounts include:
Always verify you’re buying from authorized retailers to avoid key revocation issues. Stick with well-known, reputable sellers that have established relationships with game publishers.
Upcoming Steam Sales After Black Friday 2025
The Steam Winter Sale 2025 kicks off on December 18, giving budget-conscious gamers another opportunity to score deals before the year ends. The Winter Sale typically runs for approximately two weeks, often featuring similar discount percentages to the Black Friday event.
Steam also hosts seasonal sales throughout the year, including Spring Sale, Summer Sale, and genre-specific “Fest” events focusing on RPGs, strategy games, horror titles, racing sims, and more. These focused events often highlight indie developers and niche genres that might get overlooked during major seasonal sales.
Frequently Asked Questions About Steam Black Friday Sale 2025
Q: Is this really Steam’s first official Black Friday sale?
A: Yes, this is the first time Valve has specifically branded and marketed a sale as a “Black Friday” event. Previously, the Steam Autumn Sale served as an unofficial Black Friday alternative, but the company has now embraced the shopping holiday directly.
Q: Can I use coupons or promo codes during the Steam Black Friday sale?
A: Steam does not allow stacking coupons on already-discounted products. Sale prices are final, with no additional promotional codes accepted during major seasonal events. However, third-party retailers may offer their own promo codes on Steam keys.
Q: Will newer 2025 releases like Battlefield 6 be on sale?
A: Yes, many games released throughout 2025 are receiving discounts. However, the newest November releases may only receive modest 10-20% discounts, while games from earlier in the year see deeper cuts of 30-70% off.
Q: Are Steam Deck OLED models on sale for Black Friday 2025?
A: No, only the LCD Steam Deck models received Black Friday discounts in 2025. The OLED versions maintain their standard pricing, making the LCD models an even better value proposition for budget-conscious buyers.
Q: How long does the Steam Black Friday sale 2025 last?
A: The sale runs from November 25 through December 1, 2025, giving you a full week to make purchasing decisions. Individual publisher sales may have different end dates, so check specific game pages for exact timing.
Q: Should I wait for the Winter Sale or buy during Black Friday?
A: Discounts during Black Friday and Winter Sales are typically similar, though not identical. If you see a game at a historical low price during Black Friday, there’s no guarantee it will match or beat that price during the Winter Sale. Buy what you want now if the price feels right.
Q: What’s the biggest discount available during the Steam Black Friday 2025 sale?
A: Discounts reach up to 95% off on select titles, with many classic games and complete editions seeing 80-90% price reductions. The deepest discounts typically apply to older titles and complete franchise collections.
Maximizing Your Steam Wallet During Black Friday 2025
Consider purchasing Steam gift cards from retailers offering their own promotions. While Steam itself doesn’t discount wallet funds, some third-party sellers provide bonus value or cashback rewards when buying Steam credit during the holiday shopping season.
Budget-conscious gamers should prioritize building their wishlist with deliberate intent. Focus on games you’ll actually play rather than accumulating a massive backlog of unplayed titles. The average Steam user owns hundreds of games they’ve never launched, a common pitfall during major sales events when everything seems like an irresistible bargain.
Set spending limits before browsing the sale. It’s easy to justify multiple small purchases that add up to significant money. Decide your budget in advance and stick to it, prioritizing your most-wanted titles over impulse buys that might sit unplayed for years.
Final Thoughts on the Steam Black Friday 2025 Sale
This year’s Steam Black Friday sale represents exceptional value across every gaming category. Whether you’re a hardcore enthusiast with a massive library or a newcomer exploring PC gaming for the first time, the combination of deep discounts, hardware deals, and publisher participation creates a perfect storm for savvy shoppers.
The week-long duration eliminates FOMO pressure, allowing you to research purchases, read reviews, compare prices across retailers, and make informed decisions. Take advantage of Steam’s generous refund policy to test games risk-free, and don’t hesitate to explore alternative retailers for even better pricing on Steam keys.
With thousands of titles discounted across every genre, playstyle, and budget level, and hardware prices set to increase dramatically in December, the Steam Black Friday sale 2025 delivers gaming’s best value proposition before the holiday season shifts into high gear. Whether you’re clearing your wishlist or discovering new favorites, this historic first-ever Steam Black Friday event won’t disappoint.
Happy hunting, gamers. Your backlog is about to get a whole lot bigger, and your wallet might actually thank you for waiting until this sale to make your moves.
It will be years before we are close to even the release date for the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, codenamed Project Orion, but that hasn't stopped people from asking CD Projekt RED and anyone connected to the series about it. We know the game is in pre-production, and that it'll feature a kind of "Chicago gone wrong" setting, and as of September, we know that Hollywood star Keanu Reeves would "absolutely" love to find a way back to the series to reprise his role as Johnny Silverhand. Well, according to series creator Mike Pondsmith in a recent anniversary live stream that […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/cyberpunk-2077-series-creator-keanu-reeves-return-johnny-silverhand/
