CD Projekt Red has not had the best track record when it comes to engaging with the LGBT community. However, the developers are looking to get things right as they are now the first ever studio to give players full control over gender in the highly anticipated game Cyberpunk 2077.
In response to criticisms received during this past E3, the studio is finally breaking voice, gender, and genitalia into three separate aspects. As a result, players will finally be able to create their own approach towards the game’s protagonist, V.
In a recent interview, CD Projekt Red’s level designer Max Pairs talked about the studio's goals with representation and how exactly they plan to deliver them in Cyberpunk 2077.
“In the genre of Cyberpunk as well, it asks such deep questions about what it means to be human, let alone what it means to define your gender," Pairs said in the interview. "Having that customization match how you feel is your representation of how you feel… it’s important for us and it’s important to the lore of this world, too.”
This means that NPCs are expected to no longer engage with your character’s gender in the game. Let’s say your V does not play along with the scripts the developers originally wrote. You will still have the freedom to play and enjoy the game.
“One of the things we’ve done to make sure the game addresses things a certain way is a lot of the time NPCs are just going to refer to you as ‘V’, because you won’t be able to choose your name," Pairs said. "That way it helps people know that it’s their character that’s being spoken to and also however you’ve envisioned your V, that’s still your V.”
According to Pairs, it has been their vision to focus on a player’s version of V in the game. Players have the option to pick a voice, but the character's genitals will be determined by the body type chosen. “It’s a small detail but a significant one, as romance can be a significant part of the story of the player chooses," he said. "That includes non-straight relationships, too.”
For those who are thinking about romancing Keanu Reeves, who plays Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2077, then you will be disappointed. Pairs said that while the John Wick actor has a significant role in the upcoming game, forming a romantic relationship with him is not an option. “I know, I’m just as disappointed as you must be,” Pairs added.
