"Cyberpunk 2077 Lunar DLC: Unreleased Space Expansion Details"

Cyberpunk 2077 enthusiasts might be intrigued to learn about a grand, yet unrealized vision for the game: a space-based DLC set on the Moon. Thanks to the diligent work of blogger and dataminer SirMZK, who has scoured through the game's code, we now have insights into what CD Projekt RED had envisioned for this ambitious expansion.

Buried within the game's files, there are references to lunar surface maps, specific zones such as an Exterior Movie Set and a Drug Lab, and even a model for a rover. The Moon was planned to be an expansive locale, possibly as large as a quarter of Night City, and designed as an open-world environment. This would have dramatically expanded the gameplay, transporting players from the familiar neon-lit streets to the uncharted lunar landscapes.

A highlight of this proposed DLC was the Crystal Palace, an elite space station. Although it didn't make it into the final version of the game, eagle-eyed players can spot the Crystal Palace in one of Cyberpunk 2077's endings, where V gazes out of a spaceship window. Additionally, the files hint at a prototype for a zero-gravity bar connected to a mission codenamed "201," which was related to the Arasaka narrative arc.

Despite the shelving of this lunar adventure, fans remain hopeful that these innovative concepts might find a new life in CD Projekt RED's upcoming project, Orion, which aims to further explore the Cyberpunk universe. However, there's been no official word from the studio on whether these elements will be revisited.

Though the Moon DLC remains a "what could have been" for Cyberpunk 2077, the unearthed details offer a tantalizing glimpse into a bold expansion that would have pushed the boundaries of the game's cyberpunk setting into the realm of space exploration. This ambitious project, though never realized, showcases the creative potential and expansive vision of the developers at CD Projekt RED.