Alright, strap in and hold onto your neural connections, amigos! After the mind-blowing rollercoaster that was the CYBERPUNK: EDGERUNNERS 2 panel at Lucca Comics & Games—which, let’s be real, was significantly more delectable than anything a Night City street vendor could serve (and that’s saying something!)—we snagged the one and only Bartosz Sztybor, the showrunner extraordinaire, for some real talk about Season 2. You know, just your average chat about character arcs and world-building while we internally combusted over possible spoilers. No big deal!
There we were, basking in Bartosz’s genius as he navigated the tangled mess of Cyberpunk lore like a seasoned hacker in a corporate server room. He even shed a tear or two over the process of collaborating with Studio TRIGGER—kind of like delivering a baby only to find out you’ve forgotten to pick a name! Don’t worry, folks; while it’s a chaotic mess, Bartosz has a pretty good grip on the steering wheel (most of the time).
As we dove down memory lane discussing our last tête-à-tête over Season 1, it turned out this guy was just itching to spill some hot goss on his writing decisions—even if it meant risking all future elevator pitches for Game of the Year. I mean, this dude’s humor cuts sharper than V’s cybernetic blades after a fresh polish!
WARNING: Spoiler alert! Portions of this chat might bubble over with plot twists that’ll make you do a double take. You’ve been ethically warned, buckle up!
IGN: So, Bartosz! Any inklings of a potential Season 3 creeping into the cosmic ether?
Bartosz: Oh, you’ll freakin’ love this! When I was cooking up Season 1, I had popcorn at the ready for all the sequel ideas pirouetting in my head like party glitches at a rave. But let’s keep it real; only if we have the perfect story, cast, and sprinkle of magic dust! It’s like trying to brew a winning cybernetic potion; you wouldn’t just toss random junk in there like you’re playing a game of ingredient roulette.
After flipping the narrative on Season 1, TRIGGER was like, “Help, we’re still exhausted!” But surprise! A year later, they were ready to tango again! I pitched my spectacular brainchild of Season 2, and they promptly replied with a resounding, “Heck yes!” So, boom, that’s how I essentially locked arms with fate!
CGMagazine: Switching gears here, writing anime must be a different beast than writing for games or live-action. How was the back-and-forth with Studio TRIGGER?
Bartosz: You’d think writing anime is a breeze, right? Wrong! Picture me sending scripts and getting slapped with notes calling my writing “very live-action.” Talk about an ego check that hit harder than a rogue cyber-deck! Season 2, however, flowed like a smooth synthwave beat because we nerded out over the story for what felt like 20 years… okay, more like a year and a half with weekly brainstorming sessions. I even jetted off to Japan—yes, I donned my travel gear just to discuss scene by scene. If that’s not dedication, then I don’t know what is!
Anime Corner: Speaking of legacies, what do you think new characters will leave behind after Season 2 cranks up the chaos?
Bartosz: Oh, the million-dollar question! I’d spill the beans, but my lips are sealed tighter than a Netrunner’s firewall. All I can say is, there will definitely be a legacy worth writing home about! Just because David is gone from the scene, doesn’t mean his ghost won’t haunt Night City like a drunken DJ at a bad rave. Everything sends ripples, my friend!
Now, let’s touch on Easter Eggs because who doesn’t love an absurd treasure hunt? Bartosz doesn’t just sprinkle random hidden gems for giggles (sorry, no golden eggs here). He’s crafting a cohesive universe, baby! “Those elements have purpose, not just fan service,” he chuckles, as he plays God over the glittering chaos of the Cyberpunk realm!
And can we just take a moment to discuss our boy V? Bartosz assures us that V isn’t as special as we think—kind of like discovering your favorite superhero doubles as a barista. Cyberpsychosis? That’s not just a cute term; it’s an addiction that can snatch up anyone, even the most hardcore of the tough. Imagine if every time you splurged on a cool gadget, you risked turning into a digital vegetable… yikes!
As we wrapped up our time with the wonderfully wacky Bartosz Sztybor, he laid down the law on creative freedom and the importance of canon. Apparently, while they have a structure, they’re not drowning under the weight of endless lore. They’re conjuring tales in Night City that are vibrant and standalone—basically putting the “fun” in dystopian dysfunction!
Massive props to Bartosz and CD PROJEKT RED for sharing their time and tales hotter than a Netrunner’s afterburner escaping a botched heist. Here’s to even more cybernetic misadventures on the horizon!
And if you’re itching for a taste of con life, swing by Lucca Comics & Games—where medieval magic shakes hands with modern fandom in a glorious collage of costumes, comics, and total nerdy rapture! What could go possibly wrong?
Oh, and remember, in the glorious chaos of Cyberpunk, every choice comes with consequences. So choose wisely—or at least embrace the madness, binge-watch the show, and crank out wild theories in your basement. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your cybernetic favor!
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