As Night City continued to evolve in the digital realm, the long-awaited 2.3 update for Cyberpunk 2077 finally arrived on July 17, 2025. This marked yet another chapter in CD Projekt Red's commitment to a game that had seen its fair share of turbulent times. The studio had previously hinted multiple times that they were done with major updates, yet here they were, delivering another substantial content drop to eager fans worldwide.

The development of this particular update had been primarily handled by Virtuos, an international porting powerhouse that had also led the charge on the previous 2.2 patch. Their growing involvement signaled a shift in how CDPR managed the ongoing support for their dystopian RPG, allowing the core team to focus on other projects while still maintaining the game that had captured millions of players' imaginations.

The road to release hadn't been entirely smooth. Originally targeted for a June 26 launch, the update faced a last-minute delay. However, when the new July 17 date was announced just 24 hours in advance, it became clear that development had finally wrapped up and another postponement was highly unlikely.

Platform Peculiarities

Not all platforms received the update simultaneously. Switch 2 owners, who had only recently gotten their hands on the game with the 2.2 update, would need to wait a bit longer. CDPR confirmed that the newer Nintendo console would eventually receive the 2.3 revision, but remained tight-lipped about exactly when this would happen.

In a surprising twist, the update also marked Cyberpunk 2077's debut on macOS. Players who already owned the game through Steam, GOG, or the Epic Games Store could now enjoy their Night City adventures on any compatible macOS device. This expansion to Apple's ecosystem opened the doors to a whole new segment of gamers who had previously been unable to experience V's journey.

Cruising Through Night City in Style

Perhaps the most exciting addition in the 2.3 update was the introduction of AutoDrive, a feature that allowed players to sit back and enjoy the neon-soaked streets of Night City while their vehicle autonomously navigated to their chosen destination. This wasn't merely a fast-travel substitute but a fully realized system that used cinematic camera angles reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto to showcase the breathtaking dystopian landscape.

Taking this concept even further, the update also introduced on-demand Delamain cabs. Players who had completed the "Don't Lose Your Mind" job could now summon these self-driving taxis from anywhere in the city. It was a small touch that added immense immersion to the cyberpunk fantasy.

The vehicle roster expanded with four new rides, each tied to specific side jobs:

• A mysterious reward from a new side quest (unlocked after completing "The Hunt" and "The Beast In Me")

• A vehicle unlocked through a side job requiring completion of "The Beast in Me: Badlands," "The Beast in Me: Santo Domingo," "Transmission," and "Search and Destroy"

• A reward from a side job that required purchasing a Yaiba vehicle, acquiring at least three vehicles through AUTOFIXER, and completing the reported crime "You Play with Fire..."

• The luxurious Chevillon Legatus 450 Aquila

The update also expanded the CrystalCoat™ paint system to include vehicles from partner brands and motorcycles. A fictional hacker known as Cosmetic_Troll had apparently created a cracked version of Rayfield's technology for lower-end vehicles, though some heavily modded nomad vehicles remained incompatible.

Capturing the Moment

Photo Mode received substantial enhancements, with 27 new NPCs available to spawn including fan favorites like Rita Wheeler, the Cassel twins, various fixers, Dum Dum, and even the infamous iguana. Players could now switch between alternative outfits for these NPCs and cycle through V's saved Wardrobe outfits without leaving Photo Mode.

The technical aspects of photography also saw improvements with better lighting controls, depth of field adjustments, and a new Color Balance tab for creating custom filters. A "Time and Weather" tab allowed photographers to set the perfect atmospheric conditions, from acid rain to sandstorms, while the "Frame Forward" feature helped capture precisely the right moment.

These improvements transformed Photo Mode from a simple screenshot tool into a robust virtual photography studio, perfect for creative players looking to document their Night City experiences.

Technical Enhancements

On the technical front, the 2.3 update brought support for cutting-edge graphics technologies. AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 and Frame Generation 3.1 were now available for compatible AMD GPUs, while Intel users gained access to XeSS 2.0 and HDR10+ GAMING on certified hardware.

Console players weren't left out either, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S receiving Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support, and a fix for PlayStation 5's weather effects on foliage.

Other quality-of-life improvements included the ability to replay the gameplay tutorial, a larger maximum save size (increased from 12MB to 15MB), and improved HDR calibration tools. The game would now also detect inverted mouse settings and adjust button prompts accordingly.

The Mod Question

While the official patch notes made no mention of mods, the community braced for impact. Historical precedent suggested that the 2.3 update would break compatibility with many popular Cyberpunk 2077 mods. Simple asset packs and texture swaps might survive the transition, but more complex gameplay modifications would likely require updates from their creators.

This cycle had become familiar to dedicated players who balanced their desire for official new content against the potential temporary loss of their favorite community creations. It was the price of progress in Night City.

Night City's Continuing Evolution

As players dove into the 2.3 update, it became clear that CD Projekt Red and Virtuos remained committed to enhancing the Cyberpunk 2077 experience. What had started as a troubled launch had evolved into one of gaming's greatest comeback stories, with each update adding new layers to the already rich dystopian world.

Whether cruising on AutoDrive through the rain-slicked streets of Watson, capturing the perfect neon-lit portrait in the enhanced Photo Mode, or testing the limits of the latest graphics technologies, players found fresh reasons to return to Night City. And as the game continued to expand to new platforms, a whole new generation of players was discovering V's story for the first time.

The question on everyone's mind, of course, was whether this would truly be the final major update or if Night City still had more stories to tell. But for now, there was plenty to explore in the latest evolution of 2077's digital dystopia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will the 2.3 update be available on Switch 2?

A: Yes, but not at the same time as other platforms. CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Switch 2 owners will eventually receive the update, though they haven't specified an exact date.

Q: How do I activate AutoDrive in my vehicle?

A: Simply get in any of your vehicles, make sure you're on a road, and hold H (on PC) or the Left Stick (on consoles). The feature will automatically take you to your marked destination or just cruise around Night City if you don't have a destination set.

Q: Can I call a Delamain cab from anywhere?

A: Yes! After completing the "Don't Lose Your Mind" job (regardless of outcome) and receiving a message from Delamain, you can open the vehicle call menu and select "Delamain Cab" to request a ride.

Q: Will the update break my mods?

A: While not officially addressed in the patch notes, it's likely that complex mods will need updates to work with version 2.3. Simple mods like texture replacements might continue to function, but you should expect some compatibility issues until mod creators update their work.

Q: Do I need special hardware for the new graphics features?

A: Yes, features like AMD FSR 3.1 Frame Generation, Intel XeSS 2.0, and HDR10+ GAMING require compatible hardware. Check your GPU specifications to see if your system supports these technologies.

As summarized by Digital Foundry, the technical advancements in Cyberpunk 2077's 2.3 update—such as the integration of AMD FSR 4 and Intel XeSS 2.0—reflect a broader industry trend toward maximizing visual fidelity and performance across diverse hardware. Digital Foundry's analyses often highlight how these technologies impact real-world gameplay, offering players a more immersive and responsive experience, especially on next-gen consoles and high-end PCs.