December 24, 2025
Cyberpunk 2077 Creative Director Finally Shuts Down the Elevator Loading Screen Theory
🚀 Developer Clarification
Cyberpunk 2077 has inspired countless fan theories since before its launch, ranging from deep narrative speculation to technical breakdowns of how Night City functions behind the scenes. One of the longest-running theories, however, has nothing to do with story twists or hidden endings.
For years, some players believed that the game’s frequent elevator rides were cleverly disguised loading screens. According to this theory, elevators existed primarily to mask background loading, especially on slower storage devices. Despite repeated discussions online, the idea never fully disappeared.
That speculation has now officially been shut down.
🏙️ Why Elevators Exist in Night City
In a recent social media post described as a “mini rant,” Cyberpunk 2077’s creative director made it clear that the elevator theory simply isn’t true. According to him, the elevators in Night City are not hidden loading screens and never were.
The reasoning behind their inclusion is far simpler: elevators exist because they make sense in a dense, vertical city filled with megabuildings. Night City is designed to feel layered and believable, and elevators are a natural part of navigating that environment.
The director also emphasized confidence in the game’s engine, noting that if developers wanted to show loading behavior transparently, they could have done so. The implication was clear — the tech was never the limiting factor.
🛠️ Engine Talk and the Move to Unreal Engine 5
The discussion around elevators quickly led to questions about CD Projekt Red’s broader technology choices, particularly the studio’s decision to move away from its in-house engine in favor of Unreal Engine 5 for future projects.
When asked why the studio abandoned its proprietary engine if it was so capable, the response was straightforward. The focus going forward is on making games, not maintaining custom engine technology. This mirrors previous statements from the studio, which have pointed to scalability and multi-project efficiency as key reasons for the transition.
The shift to Unreal Engine 5 is expected to streamline development across multiple teams and long-term projects, including the next Cyberpunk title.
🎮 What CD Projekt Red Is Working on Next
While the elevator debate may be settled, interest in CD Projekt Red’s future remains high. The studio currently has multiple projects in development across its major franchises.
Key takeaways about the studio’s roadmap include:
- A new Witcher trilogy planned over several years
- A full remake of the original Witcher
- A Witcher spinoff project
- A sequel set in the Cyberpunk universe
- A brand-new original IP
Despite the ambitious lineup, official release dates remain under wraps. For now, fans will need to rely on occasional updates and developer insights like this one to get a sense of what’s coming next.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Fan theories are a natural part of any massive open-world game, especially one as detailed as Cyberpunk 2077. While some theories add fun layers of speculation, others eventually need a clear answer.
With this clarification, one of Night City’s most debated mysteries is finally resolved. Elevators aren’t loading screens — they’re just elevators. And sometimes, the simplest explanation really is the correct one.