CyberMP opens Night City for co-op: fans are preparing a free online mode

Developers from CD Projekt Red have officially abandoned the idea of ​​releasing a network mode for their sci-fi RPG, but the gaming community has decided to correct this oversight on their own. Enthusiasts from the CyberMP team are actively working on an ambitious modification, the goal of which is to launch a full-fledged multiplayer in Cyberpunk 2077 and give gamers the opportunity to spend time in the Night City together.

The CyberMP project is an open multiplayer platform that allows players to interact globally through private custom servers. The mod is not designed for co-op story campaign. Instead, the developers focus on a sandbox format, role-playing (RP) servers and community-generated content, drawing direct parallels to the famous GTA Online mode.

Development features and protection against cheats

Since the original Cyberpunk 2077 game was originally created as a purely solo project, it lacked basic network security mechanisms. In this regard, the authors of the mod had to integrate a specialized anti-cheat system directly into the structure of their platform. The exact details of how the protection works have not yet been disclosed, but its presence is critically important for a comfortable online game.

The server infrastructure that allows free movement of Night City players has been completely rewritten from the ground up. This solution is aimed at achieving maximum connection stability and simplifying work for third-party mod creators. The developers plan to make the original server package completely open source. This will allow anyone to freely run their own unique servers with their own game rules.

Technical achievements of the project

The latest series of closed tests showed excellent network synchronization in multiplayer races and combat scenes. The list of key technical achievements of the team at the moment includes:

• Fixing 200 serious software bugs;
• Synchronization of the visual appearance of the characters;
• Significantly improved network stability when displaying players and vehicles;
• Implementation of full-fledged battles on cars and the possibility of shooting from passenger seats;
• Basilisk heavy military tank support;
• Integration of new text chat and modernized voice communication system;
• Creating a convenient in-game overlay.

Comparison of the official vision and the fan version

CD Projekt Red’s original plans were to develop a stand-alone AAA multiplayer game set in the Cyberpunk universe. After a difficult release, the studio adjusted its plans and focused on finalizing the story part and major DLC, canceling the online mode. The CyberMP project differs in that it is created by the community for the community. This makes the project more flexible for modifications and adapted to the tastes of players, turning a gloomy metropolis into a lively multiplayer playground.

Release date

To date, the CyberMP project is at the stage of active production. The source code and the mod itself are still closed from public download by a wide audience. However, after the end of the stage of internal tests, the developers are preparing to open the door for semi-closed testing, in which a limited circle of invited users will participate.

The exact release date of the final version and the requirements for its installation are not mentioned, but given the pace of the team’s progress, CyberMP has every chance to become one of the biggest mods in the history of Cyberpunk 2077.