Half of the Cyberpunk 2 Quest Team are Former Modders

CD Projekt Red is leaning heavily into the modding community for the development of its upcoming sequel, Cyberpunk 2. During a recent IGN report, Cyberpunk 2 associate game director Pawel Sasko revealed that roughly half of the game’s quest team is comprised of former modders. This staffing strategy underscores the developer’s deep ties to the community that has helped maintain the longevity of the franchise.

The Modder-to-Developer Pipeline

Sasko shared this detail during a CDPR REDstream on October 21. According to the associate game director, the studio views modding as a vital gateway into professional game development and a practical foot-in-the-door technique for aspiring creators. By working on mods, players gain direct hands-on experience with the game engine and develop a functional understanding of how content is architected and built within the world of Night City.

We actually hired so many modders, Sasko noted during the broadcast. I would say, at this point, half of the quest team is all former modders. Sasko first shared this information regarding the studio’s hiring practices back in 2024. This initiative highlights the studio’s ongoing commitment to the community, which the developers credit with keeping the original title afloat over the years. The team frequently monitors community creations to see what players are building, finding the level of creativity displayed by fans to be a constant source of excitement.

This philosophy of supporting modders extends to recent updates for Cyberpunk 2077. The studio has implemented cross-platform support for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S, a move designed to keep the game fresh and actively support the creativity of its community. The studio has partnered directly with these creators as part of these updates.

For fans currently engaging with the franchise, there is plenty to explore. In addition to the ongoing development of Cyberpunk 2, the studio has introduced a host of new features to Cyberpunk 2077, including a dual-wielding playstyle, fresh cyberware customization options, and a mode that offers a tour through Night City. These updates also include references to the Edgerunners 2 anime, which recently released on Netflix to positive reviews. Players looking to dive back into the game or start for the first time can utilize new interactive maps, comprehensive base game and Phantom Liberty walkthroughs, and guides on various romance options to navigate the world and its multiple endings.

Why it matters

For players, this shift suggests that the developers behind Cyberpunk 2 possess a deep, grassroots understanding of what makes the game’s missions and stories tick. By hiring people who built their own content for the original title, CD Projekt Red is effectively bringing the most passionate and technically proficient members of the community into the fold. This ensures the sequel is shaped by those who have already spent countless hours analyzing and modifying the game architecture. As the industry continues to debate the role of community patches and mods, CD Projekt Red is doubling down on a collaborative approach, treating its modding scene as a core pillar of the Cyberpunk ecosystem.