CD Projekt and WayForward reportedly developed a 2.5D brawler game based on the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners series [1, 2].

The project represents a significant attempt to expand the Cyberpunk franchise into a different genre by leveraging WayForward's expertise in beat 'em ups and platformers. However, the collaboration faced internal hurdles that may prevent the game from ever reaching players.

Reports indicate the spin-off was in development between 2025 and 2026 [3]. The partnership aimed to translate the aesthetic and narrative of the Edgerunners anime into a retro-inspired combat experience [1, 3].

Despite the initial development push, the project's status changed after WayForward fired staff [3]. These staffing cuts impacted the studio's ability to maintain the project, leading to reports that the game's fate is now uncertain [3].

WayForward is widely recognized for its work on the Shantae series, which established its reputation for high-quality 2D and 2.5D action games [1, 2]. CD Projekt Red sought to utilize this specific skill set to create a spin-off that diverged from the first-person perspective of the main Cyberpunk 2077 title [1].

Neither CD Projekt nor WayForward has issued an official statement confirming the current status of the brawler. The reports suggest that the development window of 2025 to 2026 [3] was interrupted by the studio's organizational changes, leaving the project in a state of limbo [3].

“The spin-off was in development between 2025 and 2026”

The potential cancellation of this project highlights the volatility of the gaming industry's current labor market. When specialized studios like WayForward undergo layoffs, high-profile collaborations often suffer, regardless of the intellectual property's popularity. This suggests that CD Projekt's strategy to diversify the Cyberpunk ecosystem through third-party partnerships is subject to the financial stability of its collaborators.