The Cyberpunk series is getting an official physical trading card game as part of a new collaboration between CD Projekt Red and TCG newcomers WeirdCo. The game will feature characters from across Cyberpunk 2077 and the anime series Edgerunners, while also drawing from the extended Cyberpunk universe to make a TCG that’s faithful to the franchise’s origins.
IGN reported revealed the upcoming project in an interview with key players from both CD Projekt Red and WeirdCo, who share a mutual passion for bringing Cyberpunk to the TCG space–which will also mark CD Projekt Red’s first physical TCG.
“Every one of us at WeirdCo loves the Cyberpunk universe, and we built the TCG bit by bit on this foundation,” WeirdCo co-founder Elliot Cook said, revealing that the team looked not only to 2077 and Edgerunners for inspiration, but also the Dark Horse comic series. “At each step we analyzed every little detail, constantly asking ourselves: ‘How do we make this more authentic to Cyberpunk?'”
A hype trailer released by WeirdCo gives us a few hints at how the game will play out, though for the most part the designers are staying hush hush about the TCG’s mechanics. The trailer shows off a set of cards featuring “huscle,” hired muscle from various factions, a few cyberware cards, and some character cards including Cyberpunk 2077 favorites Panam, Judy, and Jackie.
Deciding what beloved characters would make the cut for Set 1 was a tough task, and one that it sounds like CD Projekt Red also had a hand in. “For the initial release, our primary goal is to represent the core identity of Cyberpunk 2077 by featuring many of its most iconic and beloved characters,” said Patrick Mills, franchise content strategy lead.
You can count on many of the big hitters being present for the first release, including Cyberpunk 2077’s V, Johnny, and antagonist Adam Smasher. The release will also include Edgerunners characters, with a Lucy card being offered as a free reward to those who sign up early for the Cyberpunk TCG mailing list.
WeirdCo co-founder Luohan Wei said that the design team has adapted key elements of Cyberpunk gameplay for the TCG, like taking on gigs and building a crew. “I think it is both true to Cyberpunk itself while being innovative to the TCG market as a whole; it’s a perfect combination in this way.”
Despite its backing from CD Projekt Red, WeirdCo will be relying on crowdfunding to bring the Cyberpunk TCG to life, with a Kickstarter on the way sometime next year. The team behind the TCG has promised to reveal more details about the game and its mechanics closer to the Kickstarter launch.
