Virtual Tourism in Night City is a exploration within the video game Cyberpunk 2077 by CD Projekt and inspired by the book by Mike Pondsmith. Featured as part of the project Virtual Tourism Project, a series of photos et videos dedicated to the work of game designers, developers, and a way to keep memory of our virtual excursions in the Metaverse.
An incomplete simulation
Exploring Night City was both fascinating and disappointing. The offering from the talented Polish studio CD Projekt had enormous potential for immersion, thanks in particular to its artistic direction. Unfortunately, when it was hastily launched in 2020, the programme did not yet have the level of interactive design necessary to make us believe in this illusion of life. This feeling of organic emptiness was mainly due to flaws in the design (or lack of finishing touches) of the simulation itself: a lack of random events and credible reactions from non-player characters (NPCs), but above all, a lack of sufficiently convincing procedural mechanics and artificial intelligence to structure this simulated world, making it autonomous and reacting coherently with the player.
Digital naturalism, a new practice
Recreating a credible life in a digital simulation is obviously a highly complex exercise, a contemporary creative practice undergoing technical and theoretical development. Not to mention the growing demands of players in an increasingly mature market. That is why the flaws in the Cyberpunk 2077 programme should be put into perspective, and in no way detract from the ambitions and immense talent of the artists at the European studio CD Projekt. The creation of open-world games with immersive pretensions should be seen as part of the naturalist artistic movement as a whole. The demands required to carry out such creative projects are difficult to imagine from the outside. The best example of success in this field is still, to this day, the incredible Read Dead Redemption 2.
© 2020 The Soulignac Brothers | Virtual Tourism in Night City – Cyberpunk 2077 (version 1.04 for PS4 Pro). Creative walks and videography in video games. Game designer: © CD Projekt. Music: TELO$ by Asap Rocky & Boys Noize. In-game videographer : François Soulignac. Technique: LED television screen and PlayStation 4 Pro captured on mobile phone, in Saigon, in December 2020. Virtual Tourism Project is a series of photos et videos dedicated to the work of game designers, developers, and a way to keep memory of our virtual excursions in the Metaverse. “The Soulignac Brothers” is a YouTube Gaming channel. Subscribe & Travel with us.