The launch for Cyberpunk 2077 has been tumultuous to say the least. After the massive bombshell of Sony delisting Cyberpunk 2077 from the PlayStation Store so that it can no longer be purchased digitally in addition to offering full refunds, many have been wondering if Microsoft will follow suit on the Microsoft Store. Microsoft has yet to pull the game from Xbox’s online storefront, but the company has now opted to add a disclaimer to the game’s listing.
The other day, Microsoft confirmed that it will be offering no-questions-asked full refunds to those who purchase Cyberpunk 2077 digitally. While Sony made a one-time only exception on refunds for digital games with Cyberpunk 2077, Microsoft usually offers refunds for all games on the Microsoft Store, but with standard return policy caveats like a return window, all of which are being waved “until further notice.”
When Xbox owners go to buy the game on the Microsoft Store now, however, right underneath the description of the games Mature 17+ rating is a disclaimer that reads: “Users may experience performance issues when playing this game on Xbox One consoles until this game is updated.” While not as drastic as PlayStation’s full removal of the game, it does at least go some way to acknowledging that developer CD Projekt Red actively chose not to put enough time into ensuring quality performance on the Xbox One and PS4 versions of Cyberpunk 2077.
Some may argue that the statement included on the Microsoft Store does not go far enough to explain to potential customers the incredible amount of glitches Cyberpunk 2077 has, in addition to the game’s frequent crashes and general instability, including the game running as low as 16 framer per second on the base Xbox One console.
While the game appears to be mostly stable on PC, the poor quality of the game on consoles has led to incredible online backlash from thousands of console owners, leading to CD Projekt Red’s stock plummeting more than once.
The poor quality of the game is allegedly the result of irresponsible management, according to a recent report from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier. Sources claim that a recent internal video conference featured developers from inside CD Projekt Red berating the company’s management for risking the developers previously sterling reputation with unrealistic deadlines and launching the game in its current state on consoles. Apparently developers were required to work six day weeks since September, raising further concerns over the amount of crunch developers at CD Projekt Red experience.
Cyberpunk 2077 is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series X versions also in development.