A potentially exciting collaboration between CD Projekt RED and renowned indie studio WayForward has apparently been revealed through leaked information, suggesting that a video game adaptation of the critically acclaimed anime series Cyberpunk Edgerunners may be in development. The leak comes at an interesting time, as Netflix’s Cyberpunk Edgerunners Season 2 is scheduled to premiere in autumn 2026, and CD Projekt RED continues work on the highly anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. However, questions remain about whether this project will ever see the light of day, as troubling signs in the leaked documents hint at potential development troubles.
The Leak: Project Gemini and WayForward’s Involvement
The information about this potential Cyberpunk Edgerunners adaptation comes from a report by MP1st, which discovered references to the project through the resume of a former WayForward developer. According to the document, a title bearing the codename “Project Gemini” was in its Research and Development phase between 2025 and 2026. The project was described as a “2.5D beat’em up with rollback netcode support,” which immediately evokes comparisons to WayForward’s popular River City Girls franchise.
WayForward has built an impressive reputation over the past three decades as masters of 2D and 2.5D action games. The studio is best known for the Shantae series, which began in 2002 and has spawned multiple sequels praised for their tight gameplay, vibrant animation, and charming characters. Their River City Girls series, launched in 2019, demonstrated their ability to revitalize classic beat’em up gameplay with modern sensibilities and gorgeous hand-drawn animation. The mention of rollback netcode suggests the Edgerunners project would feature multiplayer functionality, as this technology is specifically designed to minimize latency issues in online fighting and action games—a feature that has become increasingly important to competitive gaming communities.
Why This Partnership Makes Perfect Sense
The potential pairing of WayForward’s expertise with Studio Trigger’s distinctive visual style and the Cyberpunk universe could indeed be what many fans are calling a “perfect combo.” Studio Trigger, the Japanese animation powerhouse behind Edgerunners, is renowned for its kinetic, over-the-top action sequences and bold visual design. Their work on series like Kill la Kill, Promare, and Gurren Lagann has established them as one of the most visually distinctive studios in anime. When Cyberpunk Edgerunners debuted on Netflix in September 2022, it was an immediate sensation, breathing new life into the Cyberpunk 2077 franchise following its troubled launch in 2020.
The original Cyberpunk Edgerunners series told the story of David Martinez, a street kid in Night City who becomes a cyberpunk mercenary known as an edgerunner. The show’s blend of emotional storytelling, stunning action sequences, and faithful adaptation of the game’s dystopian world earned it widespread critical acclaim and helped drive renewed interest in Cyberpunk 2077 itself. CD Projekt RED reported significant increases in player numbers following the anime’s release, demonstrating the powerful synergy between the two properties. A beat’em up adaptation would allow players to experience the visceral, high-octane combat that made the anime so memorable in an interactive format perfectly suited to WayForward’s strengths.
Concerns About the Project’s Future
Despite the promising nature of this collaboration, the leaked resume contains troubling details that cast doubt on Project Gemini’s survival. The former developer’s CV indicates that work on an unannounced Unreal Engine 5 project based on an established IP encountered significant problems. Specifically, the document mentions payment delays in September of last year that led to a halt in development and subsequent layoffs at the studio. While it’s not explicitly confirmed that this refers to Project Gemini, the timing and description of an established IP strongly suggest a connection.
The video game industry has experienced significant turbulence over the past two years, with numerous studios facing layoffs, project cancellations, and financial difficulties. Even established developers have struggled as the post-pandemic gaming boom has normalized and development costs continue to rise. If Project Gemini has indeed been shelved or cancelled, it would represent another casualty of this difficult period—and a significant missed opportunity for fans of both Cyberpunk and WayForward’s distinctive style of action gaming.
What Comes Next
For now, fans should approach this leak with cautious optimism. Neither CD Projekt RED nor WayForward has officially commented on the existence of Project Gemini or any collaboration between the two studios. CD Projekt RED has been notably secretive about their future projects beyond the confirmed Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, codenamed “Orion,” and the next mainline Witcher game. Until official announcements are made, the fate of this intriguing Edgerunners adaptation remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the appetite for more Cyberpunk content remains strong, and a WayForward-developed beat’em up set in Night City would likely find an enthusiastic audience ready to jack in and cause chaos on the streets of this beloved dystopian metropolis.
Expert Opinion: The gaming industry’s current volatility makes mid-tier licensed projects particularly vulnerable to cancellation, even when the creative fit seems ideal. If Project Gemini survives development troubles, WayForward’s proven track record with stylized action games combined with Trigger’s visual DNA could produce one of the most authentic anime-to-game adaptations in years. However, fans should temper expectations until CD Projekt RED officially acknowledges the partnership, as the leaked payment issues suggest the project may have already been quietly shelved.
