(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty captivates with its rich sound environment, crafted from truly surprising elements—including the hum of a KFC soda machine and the hiss of boiling vegetables.
Imagine the deep thud of explosions, the soft patter of raindrops, and engines roaring like ill-fated popcorn machines. These sounds, often unnoticed, are pivotal in creating an immersive gaming experience. CD Projekt Red’s sound magician, Sebastian Sagastume, went above and beyond to realize these effects in Phantom Liberty.
During a session at the Digital Dragons conference, Sagastume recounted a late-night visit to a KFC armed with just a pocket recorder. “I approached the manager with a quirky request—five soda refills for a few minutes of peace without music,” he reminisced. They obliged, intrigued by his peculiar request. The sounds gathered—the whirring machine and clanking soda cans—morphed into the distinctive noise of a weapon’s fire and reload in the game.
Sagastume’s philosophy centers on discovering audio sources that naturally echo the essence of a weapon, be it through unexpected props or random ambient sounds.
He continued with another story: “Once, as my girlfriend was boiling vegetables, the sound was wobbly and sticky. For the Hercules weapon, which discharges acid bullets, this audio was the perfect addition.” This creativity makes for captivating gameplay, drawing players further into the world of Night City.
When it comes to the much-speculated Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, the CD Projekt Red chief reminds fans that from initial sketches to final product delivery spans an average of 4 to 5 years, reaffirming the uniqueness of each project. Sign up for more thrilling stories from your favorite communities with our weekly digests.