Cyberpunk 2077 Sees Massive Surge in Playerbase Following Phantom Liberty and Patch 2.1 Update

CD Projekt Red’s dystopian RPG, Cyberpunk 2077, is experiencing a major resurgence, with a dramatic spike in player numbers fueling renewed interest more than three years after its rocky launch. Thanks to the critically acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion and the transformative Patch 2.1 update, the title has reemerged as one of 2024’s most actively played and talked-about games across PC and console platforms.

Steam metrics reveal a peak concurrent player count of over 170,000 this past weekend — the highest since the game’s initial launch window in December 2020. Phantom Liberty, released in September 2023, introduced a gripping spy-thriller storyline set in the new district of Dogtown. With Idris Elba taking center stage as Solomon Reed, combined with Keanu Reeves’ return as Johnny Silverhand, the expansion was praised for its tight narrative and significantly improved design over the base game.

But it was Patch 2.1, rolled out in early December, that truly reignited fan passion. The update brought long-requested features such as fully functional metro system travel, radioport — a feature allowing players to listen to in-world radio while on foot — and massive AI overhauls. Vehicle combat saw further improvements, and police responses now reflect a more dynamic and responsive law enforcement system, drastically enhancing immersion.

CD Projekt Red confirmed that Patch 2.1 marks the final major update for the game, signifying the team’s shift toward development on its next major RPG, set in The Witcher universe. Still, the studio’s commitment to quality has salvaged Cyberpunk 2077’s legacy, turning what was once considered one of the industry’s biggest disappointments into a redemption arc worthy of Night City’s most hard-boiled tales.

Fans, streamers, and modders alike are jumping back in, praising the game’s polished state and the wealth of content now available. From its beginnings mired in controversy to its present-day resurgence, Cyberpunk 2077 stands as a testament to what dedicated post-launch support can achieve — and may just become the blueprint for salvaging a troubled AAA release.