As the anticipation for Cyberpunk 2077’s new 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty expansion builds, CD Projekt Red wants to relay something special to the eager players: safeguard your computer.
With these updates branded by CDPR as massive revamps to the game – encompassing a redesigned skill and perk tree, enhanced enemy AI, vehicular combat replete with bona fide explosions, and a robust cyberware system – the advice is simple but essential: ensure your PC’s cooling systems are operating efficiently.
Lead scene programmer, Filip Pierściński, took to X and Twitter, urging players to scrutinize their PC’s cooling condition. In his words, “We use all [of] what you have, so workload on CPU 90 percent on eight core is expected.”
Before release CP2077 2.0 and PL please check conditions of your cooling systems in PC. We use all what you have, so workload on CPU 90% on 8 core is expected. To save your time please run Cinebench or similar and check stability of your systems 😉https://t.co/TWOAkP0ONu
— Filip Pierściński (@FilipPierciski) September 11, 2023
For those unfamiliar with the technicalities, he recommended the Cinebench program. A free tool, Cinebench conducts a suite of stress tests, resulting in standardized scores that assist users and compares their systems with others PC users. Pierściński’s concern orbits the notion that inadequate cooling could culminate in throttling or overheating, potentially leading to subpar game performance or even crashes.
Naturally, the reactions to the programmer’s advisory ranged from alarm to intrigue. Amidst the apprehensions of the game morphing into an inadvertent PC fryer post-update, Pierściński later clarified his statement. His intent wasn’t to signal impending doom but to spotlight the indispensability of maintaining and regularly inspecting cooling systems. Further emphasizing, he assured players, “Neither Cyberpunk 2077 after 2.0 nor Phantom Liberty will melt your PCs. Game will perform well on recommended hardware.”
In this day and age, high demands on PC hardware are expected in gaming. In these instances, it’s the cooling solutions that often emerge as the overlooked culprits when systems falter, echoing Pierściński’s warnings. While it’s true that the computers of today are designed to shut down automatically if either the system’s processor or graphics card or other component overheats, this fail-safe can sometimes, well, fail.
But, in most cases, in the event of an actual hardware failure, it’s more indicative of an inherent flaw that was destined to manifest, rather than the game being the perpetrator.
It remains to be seen if Cyberpunk 2077 will live up to the expectations that CDPR set with its multiple showcases, but, by the looks of it, it’s going to be more like what it was initially billed as and less like Immortals of Aveum – a glorified technical showcase that fell flat on its face at launch.
The excitement surrounding Phantom Liberty has reached fever pitch. Rightfully dubbed by fans as “Cyberpunk 2.0”, the upcoming update and the expansion (both are separate, by the way, even if they’ll arrive at the same time), the game will henceforth enjoy a breadth of alterations and new features. In particular, the game’s first and only expansion promises an exhilarating “spy-thriller” escapade, whisking players to hitherto uncharted terrains, arming them with avant-garde weapons, and unveiling revamped cyberware. A notable highlight is the introduction of Dogtown, a locale molded by the lore of South American drug magnates. Moreover, the expansion heralds the entry of Solomon Reed, a character brought to life by the charismatic Idris Elba, positioned to be V’s ally in their quest to rescue the President of the New United States. And for those speculating, Keanu Reeves returns, reprising his role as Johnny Silverhand.
Launching on September 26, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is a next-gen exclusive experience, dropping its support for the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One to fully realize its potential.
As players gear up for this digital odyssey, Pierściński’s advice resounds: care for your PC, and it will guarantee that you will enjoy your time in Cyberpunk 2077.
CD Projekt RED is currently working on several projects at the moment, including a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. However, this isn’t expected to take precedence at the moment. The Polish studio is currently devoting most of its resources towards The Witcher 4.
