Cyberpunk 2077 has captivated players with its thrilling police chases, especially following the release of its Phantom Liberty update. This intriguing feature allows players to experience intense pursuits reminiscent of a classic arcade game. The twist? Evading the law in Night City is akin to playing an advanced version of Pac-Man, where strategic maneuvers are key.
Inside the Revamped Police System
At the Game Industry Conference in Poznań, Wielkopolska, CD Projekt senior AI programmer Maciej Celmer shed light on the inspiration behind Cyberpunk 2077’s updated police chases. During his talk, “Heat, MaxTac, and Blockades: Police System, in Cyberpunk 2077 and more,” Celmer detailed the transformation of the system from its launch state, which players criticized for being too lenient, into a more dynamic and engaging experience in 2023. Surprisingly, this change was inspired by the classic game Pac-Man.
Celmer explained, “Remember the game of Pac-Man, and the fact that every ghost had a different approach on how to catch the player?” Drawing parallels, he mentioned how cars in Cyberpunk 2077 employ seven distinct strategies during chases, allowing players to escape amidst the chaos.
Strategic Approaches and Inspirations
Following the talk, further insights from CD Projekt confirmed Pac-Man as one of the inspirations, particularly for designing the police chase update. The team aimed to encircle players with chasing vehicles while providing at least one way to escape, creating a dynamic pursuit environment akin to the classic game.
Celmer outlined the seven chase strategies, each varying based on the heat level and police system state, from patrolling areas to setting intersection traps or conducting aggressive searches. These strategies enhance the gaming experience by adding layers of complexity and unpredictability.
- Drive towards the player — Move directly toward the player in a straight line. Used in the Alerted state.
- Drive away from the player — Move directly away from the player. Used in the Alerted state.
- Patrol the quadrant — Patrol the area around the player.
- Intersection trap — Try to flank the player at the next intersection.
- Get to the player from anywhere — The aggressive one.
- Search for the player — Perform an initial search around the crime scene. Used in the Alerted state.
- Search from anywhere — A fallback strategy used when we can’t find a suitable spawn point for strategy 6, so the car simply spawns anywhere and begins searching for the player.
Cyberpunk 2077’s Remarkable Comeback
Cyberpunk 2077’s evolution from its rocky launch in December 2020 to its current success is noteworthy. As of now, the game boasts an impressive 35 million copies sold, becoming CD Projekt’s primary revenue source. This turnaround is part of CD Projekt’s broader ambition, as outlined in a recent financial briefing discussing plans for Cyberpunk 2, with development teams expanding in Boston, Warsaw, and Vancouver.
Additionally, interactions at GIC Poland included discussions on Soulslike games and a hands-on experience with the dog secret agent game Barkour, showcasing the diversity and innovation in the gaming industry.