Cyberpunk Edgerunners Video Game Reportedly in Development by WayForward, According to Leaked Documents

The gaming world is buzzing with excitement following a significant leak suggesting that CD Projekt RED has partnered with acclaimed indie developer WayForward to create an official video game adaptation of the hit Netflix anime series Cyberpunk Edgerunners. The leak, which surfaced through a former developer’s resume, indicates that a 2.5D beat’em up game codenamed “Project Gemini” was in active development between 2025 and 2026. This revelation comes at a particularly interesting time, as fans eagerly await both the second season of the anime, scheduled for release on Netflix in autumn 2026, and CD Projekt RED’s upcoming sequel to Cyberpunk 2077.

The original Cyberpunk Edgerunners anime, which premiered on Netflix in September 2022, became an immediate sensation among both anime enthusiasts and video game fans alike. Produced by the legendary Japanese animation studio Trigger, known for their work on Kill la Kill and Promare, the series told the emotional story of David Martinez, a street kid who becomes a cyberpunk mercenary in the dystopian Night City. The anime’s success was so profound that it sparked a massive resurgence of interest in Cyberpunk 2077, causing player numbers to skyrocket months after the game’s troubled initial launch. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Edgerunners effect,” demonstrated the powerful synergy between quality animated content and video game properties.

Details of the Leaked Project Emerge

According to a report from gaming publication MP1st, the leaked information originated from the curriculum vitae of a former WayForward developer. The document reveals that Project Gemini was conceived as a “2.5D beat’em up with rollback netcode support,” immediately drawing comparisons to WayForward’s beloved River City Girls franchise. WayForward has built an exceptional reputation over the past three decades for their expertise in 2D action games, with their Shantae series and River City Girls titles receiving widespread critical acclaim for their tight gameplay mechanics, vibrant animations, and engaging combat systems.

The mention of rollback netcode is particularly significant for fighting game and beat’em up enthusiasts. This technology has become the gold standard for online multiplayer in competitive games, as it dramatically reduces input lag and creates a smoother online experience compared to traditional delay-based netcode. The inclusion of this feature suggests that CD Projekt RED and WayForward were planning robust multiplayer functionality, potentially allowing players to team up and battle through Night City together in classic arcade style. Given the cooperative nature of mercenary crews in the Cyberpunk universe, this design choice would perfectly complement the source material’s themes of teamwork and survival in a hostile corporate-controlled world.

WayForward: The Perfect Partner for Edgerunners

Founded in 1990, WayForward Technologies has established itself as one of the premier developers of 2D action games in the industry. Their portfolio includes the beloved Shantae series, which spans over two decades and multiple console generations, as well as the River City Girls franchise, which revitalized the classic Kunio-kun beat’em up formula for modern audiences. The studio’s artistic sensibilities, which blend Western cartoon influences with anime-inspired aesthetics, would seemingly make them an ideal candidate to translate Studio Trigger’s distinctive visual style into an interactive medium. Many fans have noted that WayForward’s expertise in creating fluid character animations and satisfying combat systems would be a “perfect combo” for capturing the kinetic energy of Cyberpunk Edgerunners’ action sequences.

The partnership between CD Projekt RED and external studios for Cyberpunk-related projects is not unprecedented. The Polish gaming giant has increasingly embraced collaboration with outside developers, most notably with their partnership with Epic Games for the development of The Witcher 4 using Unreal Engine 5. This strategic approach allows CD Projekt RED to expand their franchise presence while their internal teams focus on major AAA productions. A smaller-scale project like a beat’em up adaptation would fit perfectly within this framework, offering fans new content while maintaining the quality standards associated with the Cyberpunk brand.

Uncertainty Clouds the Project’s Future

Despite the exciting implications of this leak, there are troubling signs that Project Gemini may have encountered significant difficulties or even been cancelled outright. The same resume that revealed the project’s existence also mentioned concerning developments: an unannounced Unreal Engine 5 game based on an established license experienced payment delays in September of the previous year, leading to development halts and subsequent layoffs. While it remains unclear whether this refers specifically to the Cyberpunk Edgerunners project or another title in WayForward’s pipeline, the timing and description raise legitimate concerns about the game’s status.

The video game industry has witnessed numerous promising projects fall victim to financial difficulties, shifting corporate priorities, or creative disagreements. CD Projekt RED themselves have experienced both the highs of massive success with The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077’s eventual redemption, and the lows of development challenges and public relations crises. Until official announcements are made by either CD Projekt RED or WayForward, fans should temper their expectations while remaining hopeful that this intriguing collaboration might eventually see the light of day. The combination of WayForward’s proven expertise in the genre and the rich narrative and visual potential of the Cyberpunk Edgerunners universe represents an opportunity that would be truly disappointing to see wasted.