Sony is pulling the highly publicized Cyberpunk 2077 out of PlayStation stores around the world, the firm said on Friday, following a barrage of complaints and ridicule over bugs, compatibility issues and even health risks.
The dystopian-themed title is reportedly one of the most expensive video games ever made, and its release on December 10 was highly anticipated, but the launch hasn’t been easy at all.
Some gamers have posted videos of faulty graphics on Twitter, while others combine screenshots of much older games with sarcastic comments like, “I’m in awe of the graphics and environment of Cyberpunk on PS4!”
“SIE (Sony Interactive Entertainment) strives to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction, which is why we will begin offering a full refund for all players who have purchased Cyberpunk 2077 through the PlayStation Store,” Sony said on Friday.
“SIE will also remove Cyberpunk 2077 from PlayStation Store until further notice.”
This week, the game’s developer, Warsaw-based CD Projekt RED, apologized and promised to “fix bugs and glitches” with patches in January and February, while offering refunds to players who weren’t willing to wait.
Cyberpunk 2077’s release had been delayed twice this year and CD Projekt RED was forced to add health warnings after a critic complained that it had caused an epileptic fit.
Last week, the Polish company said it was looking for a “more permanent solution” to address the health risk “as soon as possible”.
The delays, which the firm attributed to the coronavirus pandemic and the complexity of creating such a vast world for nine different platforms, including Xbox and PC consoles, prompted a strong backlash and even death threats.
‘City of night’
Despite the problems, the entertainment ranking website Metacritic has given Cyberpunk 2077 a score of 87 out of 100, based on 69 reviews.
But player ratings on Metacritic were somewhat less optimistic, with Cyberpunk 2077 scoring a 7 out of 10 based on reviews from more than 20,500 users.
The main character is “V”, armed with weapons, who makes his way through Night City, an American megacity plagued with conflicts.
The game also features the face and voice of Hollywood star Keanu Reeves, best known from the Matrix trilogy and the John Wick films.
Metacritic describes the game as “an open-world action-adventure story set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamor, and body modification.”
CD Projekt RED spent roughly 1,200 crore (roughly 2,400 crore) to make Cyberpunk 2077, according to analysts at Polish bank BOS, making it one of the most expensive games ever made.
The company rose to world fame five years ago thanks to its huge success The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, a grim fantasy whose monster-slaying hero is endowed with superhuman powers.
But it has lost billions in value since the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 last week, stock market figures showed Monday.
On Friday morning, Sony shares rose 2.7 percent to JPY 10,295 (roughly Rs 7,300).
Delays are becoming more frequent in the gaming industry as games get bigger, more expensive, and with more people involved.
This year, the coronavirus pandemic has made things even more complicated, with many studios forced to operate with developers working from home.
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