Ryan Dinsdale
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CD Projekt has apologised for anti-Russian elements in the Ukrainian version of Cyberpunk 2077, which was released alongside the game-changing Update 2.0 ahead of Phantom Liberty’s launch on September 26.
As reported by PC Gamer, the Ukrainian localisation includes a handful of references to the Russo-Ukrainian War including the derogatory term “Rusnia” replacing the word “assholes” in one instance. CD Projekt said these “offensive” elements were not written by its staff and do not reflect its views.
“The release version of Ukrainian localization of Cyberpunk 2077 features elements of dialogues that can be considered offensive by Russian gamers,” CD Projekt Red said in Russian social media messages before providing IGN with an official statement in English.
“These lines have not been written by CD Projekt Red staff and do not represent our views. We are working to produce correct lines and substitute them in the next update. We apologise for the situation and have made steps to avoid situations like that in the future.”
Localisation project manager Mariia Strilchuk posted a follow-up statement on X, which CD Projekt has also provided to IGN in English. “I’d like to clarify regarding the corrections to the Ukrainian localization. They refer to the lines where the translation lost its original meaning, including certain references to the Russian-Ukrainian war. Our support to Ukraine remains unchanged, but we prefer to show it through positive actions.”
CD Projekt Red has previously been vocal about the war, halting game sales in Russia and donating one million Polish złoty to a humanitarian charity working in Ukraine. The Ukrainian version of Cyberpunk 2077 was localised by SBT Localisation, a Ukrainian company that’s previously worked on Baldur’s Gate 3 and Darkest Dungeon.
Cyberpunk 2077’s Ukrainian version also includes a reference to the famous line given in response to Russia demanding Ukraine’s Snake Island be surrendered: “Go f**k yourself in the same direction as the ship did.” A piece of graffiti also shows Ukraine’s coat of arms and the Crimean Tatars’ symbol over a rough map of Crimea.
It’s unclear exactly what elements CD Projekt Red will remove from Cyberpunk 2077’s Ukrainian version, and likely won’t be until the next update is released.
Update 2.0 otherwise completely revamped Cyberpunk 2077 with features such as a new perk system and improved AI. It also brought closure to an Elon Musk fan theory, a reference to the late racing legend Ken Block, and bizarre additions to the game’s biggest mystery.
All of this caused a spike in Cyberpunk 2077’s popularity on Steam, a number that’s all but guaranteed to grow further as players get their hands on Phantom Liberty.
In our 9/10 review of the expansion, IGN said: “Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty completes an immense turnaround for CD Projekt Red’s future RPG kickstarted with the anime spin-off, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and its latest 2.0 Update.”
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.