A new Cyberpunk 2077 teaser details the diverse gangs fighting for control over Night City's seedy underworld. The trailer is part of a slew of new information revealed today.
In Cyberpunk 2077's setting, the Night City megalopolis and the surrounding Badlands are rife with corruption, poverty, and gang warfare. The city contains six districts, each with their own neighborhoods and dominant gang. Players can choose which gangs to help in the course of their playthrough, and which to fight. While CD Projekt Red revealed the names of the gangs some time ago, details regarding their aesthetics and territories were scarce.
Now, this new trailer gives fans a detailed overview of Night City's criminal syndicates. As the trailer shows, each gang has a distinct style--in terms of both streetwear and combat. The Tyger Claws, for example, preside over the Japantown neighborhood with bikes, katanas, and intricate tattoos. Meanwhile, the 6th Street gang consists of "old American patriots" that sport American flags, down shots, and revel in their "Second Amendment" rights. It should be noted that, in the Cyberpunk pen-and-paper setting that 2077 is based on, the United States underwent a tumultuous period, and is now commonly referred to as the New United States of America.
The other gangs featured in the trailer include the Maelstrom, made up of cyberware-obsessed murderers; the Voodoo Boys, interested in the Net and magic; the Mox, a coalition of club dancers and sex workers who "protect working girls and guys;" the street-fighting and bodybuilding-obsessed Animals; the fiercely territorial Valentinos; and the Wraiths, who control much of the Badlands territory outside the city.
As Cyberpunk approaches its November release, CD Projekt Red have continued to tease out details. While these new tidbits are exciting to many fans, some have voiced concerns over stereotyping the gangs. Of particular concern are the Valentinos and Voodoo Boys, who appear to lean into Latino and black/voodoo stereotypes, respectively. In addition, CDPR previously received criticism for its statements on the influence of Black Lives Matter, or lack thereof, on the game.
As of yet, it's unclear whether the gang designs will generate any significant backlash. CDPR, beloved as it is by its fans, doesn't have a great track record in dealing with similar situations. Some of this is surely due to crossed wires, or nuance lost in translation. Though it's understandable why developers are hesitant to make overt political statements, video games exist in a political world. Still, cyberpunk as a genre naturally tackles political issues, and Cyberpunk--the game--should be no different.
Cyberpunk 2077 releases November 19th for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with PS5, Stadia, and Xbox Series versions to follow.