Music is central to a game like Cyberpunk 2077. As the first-person RPG approaches release, developer CD Projekt Red is giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the game's score.
After a series of delays, Cyberpunk 2077 finally seems within reach. To keep the hype alive, and perhaps reassure gamers that the game will release on December 10, CDPR has released a slew of content in recent days. The content ranges from console gameplay footage to a special look at Johnny Silverhand.
CDPR, it seems, is making sure the punk doesn't get lost amongst the flashy cybernetics. Today's episode of Night City Wire explores the driving forces behind Cyberpunk's music. The video splits into two sections, detailing the game's score as well as the in-universe songs that comprise the soundtrack. Cyberpunk, as a genre, typically calls to mind synthetic beats and electronic music. The kind that one might find on a Perturbator album, or anything in the New Retro Wave catalog. According to the video, however, Cyberpunk's audio team focused on analog audio to give the soundtrack "warmth" and emotion. Musical aesthetics will also vary based on what part of Night City V finds themselves in.
As far as the soundtrack, CD Projekt Red brought in a number of artists to contribute. Among them are Grimes and Run the Jewels, the latter of which recently released a single recorded for the game. Most of these composed songs appear discoverable via the in-game radio, in V's car, or elsewhere. All told, CDPR's Music Director says that the team recorded over seven and a half hours of music. Quests are individually scored as well, whether diegetic or in the background.
The "punk" in Cyberpunk refers to the punk rock attitude, aesthetic, and sound of the 1980s. It calls to mind the scene's DIY, or do-it-yourself, approach, spiked hair and leather jackets. Since the word has become more ubiquitous, that fact can be easy to forget. But from everything seen so far, CD Projekt Red aims to keep music as a centerpiece. Interestingly, the music team decided to age up the score a bit, incorporating elements of '90s electronic, industrial, and metal.
Finally, the decision to use original compositions as in-game music is great news for content creators. With the recent turmoil surrounding DMCA takedowns on Twitch, streamers are being more cautious than ever with regard to game audio in their streams. Compared to a game like Grand Theft Auto 5, which features licensed real-world music subject to copyright claims, Cyberpunk's original songs should be safe for streamers to use.
Cyberpunk 2077 is set to release on December 10 for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series versions to follow.