CD Projekt RED held yet another investor call earlier today, during which the company claimed it was Sony Interactive Entertainment’s decision to remove Cyberpunk 2077 from the PlayStation Store. Sony announced the title’s delisting late last night in a post detailing how PlayStation users can go about requesting refunds for digital purchases.
This unprecedented move on Sony’s part came as a result of a nearly week-long bout of confusion regarding refund options. On Monday, following a wave of backlash due to Cyberpunk 2077’s poor performance on last-gen hardware, CPDR issued a statement that promised refunds for all who wanted one. Unfortunately, the statement failed to consider the extent to which refund policies vary between, Microsoft, Sony, and its retail partners. Even GameStop began informing its customers to reach out to CDPR for their rebate-related needs. Sony took an extra step, though, by both offering refunds to disgruntled PSN customers and pulling the game from the PS Store until further notice.
Today, CD Projekt RED held another investor meeting, this time concerning the title’s suspension of availability on the PlayStation Store. In a transcript relayed by Bankier.pl (via Reddit), the studio delivered a memo claiming the decision was ultimately Sony’s call, following a discussion between the two entities. CDPR then went on to note that all versions of Cyberpunk 2077 will “continue to receive updates and support.” The statement reads in part:
“The Management Board of CD PROJEKT S.A. with a registered office in Warsaw (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Company’) hereby publicly discloses the decision of Sony Interactive Entertainment (hereinafter referred to as ‘SIE’) to remove Cyberpunk 2077 from PlayStation Store until further notice. The decision was undertaken following our discussion with SIE regarding a full refund for all gamers who had purchased Cyberpunk 2077 via PlayStation Store and want a refund at this time.”
Such a claim, if true, hardly comes as a surprise. However, this particular decision is unprecedented for Sony. In fact, the delisting of a game due to poor performance represents a rarity all its own. 2015 may count as the last time something of this caliber took place when Batman: Arkham Knight was delisted on Steam following a similarly troubled launch. Steam owner Valve didn’t pull the plug, though. The game’s publisher, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, made the choice instead.
Hopefully, CD Projekt RED is able to provide a better quality product in the coming weeks to reinstate Cyberpunk 2077’s sale on the PS Store. A few smaller updates should begin rolling out sometime soon. Afterwards, the studio plans to deliver two much larger patches, the first of which will launch in January, followed by the second big update on an unspecified date in February. According to a recent memo, GameStop sent its employees, CDPR may have Cyberpunk 2077’s next major patch ready to go as early as December 21.
Cyberpunk 2077 is still available to purchase on Google Stadia, PC, and Xbox platforms. PlayStation 4 versions of the title will remain in stock at retail.
Sources: Bankier.pl, Reddit
