Summary
Cyberpunk 2077is teaming up with the critically and commercially successfulBalatroas part of the latter’s freeFriends of Jimbo 2update, which offers players a slate of new cosmetic crossovers for the poker-based deck-builder. The mashup brings together two of the most notable releases of the past five years, with the notoriousCyberpunk 2077continuing to regain traction after its shaky 2020 release and the universally acclaimedBalatroquickly establishing itself as a runaway commercial victory and critical darling.
With theCyberpunkbrand displaying a much sought-after longevity in the form of 2023’s impressivePhantom LibertyDLC, developerCD Projekt Red continues producing effective spin-offsand crossovers. From the hit animated seriesCyberpunk: Edgerunnerson Netflix to a series of graphic novel expansions of the dystopian technology-fueled universe, the franchise has proven its mutability. For its part,Balatrohas made its solo developer money hand over fist, passing 2 million in sales just six months after its release. It also received universal acclaim, withBlack Mirrorcreator Charlie Booker describing it inan interview with Deadlineas “…possibly the most addictive thing ever created.”
TheBalatroxCyberpunk 2077update, which dropped on October 25, includes collaborations with hit titlesThe Binding of Isaac,Slay the Spire, andStardew Valley, and is available for PC, console, and mobile. The newBalatroupdate gives players more character options for reskinning their suited face cards. TheCyberpunk 2077family has taken over the Spades suit, inserting Goro Takemura as the Jack, Rogue Amendiares as the Queen, and Keanu Reeves' Johnny Silverhand as the King of Spades. And with therumors of a secondCyberpunk 2077expansion being cancelled, this may be the most gamers will get to see of Silverhand for a while.
The firstFriends of Jimbopack treated fans to new skins, includingThe Witcher 3,Vampire Survivors,Dave the Diver, andAmong Us. GivenBalatro’s significant and fast-growing popularity, it seems likely that more crossovers are in the works, with thegame’s social media postasking, “Is this the full squad, or is there more?”
The Future of Cyberpunk 2077
Aswork continues on theCyberpunk 2077sequel,Project Orion, andBalatroproceeds with its meteoric rise up the roguelite ranks, players can likely expect a steady stream of media crossovers and brand collaborations from both properties.Cyberpunk 2077has established itself as a game with rich potential and strong world-building, and while CD Projekt Red has moved itsOrionfollow-up to Unreal Engine, indicating a move away from the original title, the lessons learned from that effort will almost certainly inform the company’s ongoing work. Its continued pushing of the brand across multiple outlets bodes well for players looking to get in on some more Night City action.
