Nearly four years after its initial release, Cyberpunk 2077 continues to be one of the most popular open world games of the 2020s. The game's player base was bolstered after the success of Netflix's Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime and the expansive Phantom Liberty story DLC. CD Projekt Red seems intent on maintaining Cyberpunk 2077's momentum, as the RPG is rumored to have an upcoming collaboration with none other than Fortnite.
Fortnite is no stranger to video game collaborations. Since its release, Fortnite has seen the likes of Master Chief, Jill Valentine, Ezio Auditore, and Lara Croft board the Battle Bus. The rumored Cyberpunk 2077 collaboration is a long time coming, but Fortnite shouldn't just take the obvious route when it comes to cosmetics.
Which Cyberpunk Content Could — and Should — Come to Fortnite
Originally posted by user SamLeakss on X and shared by popular leakers ShiinaBR and HYPEX on November 20, a Cyberpunk 2077 collaboration will soon be coming to both Fortnite and Rocket League. With the news as fresh as it is, details on the rumored collaboration are light. This has led many players to begin speculating about the contents of this crossover.
On the Fortnite side of things, it's expected that Cyberpunk 2077 skins will be added to the game. The easiest pick for a skin based on the game would be Johnny Silverhand, giving Keanu Reeves his second skin in Fortnite. Fans who saw the initial post were also excited about the potential inclusion of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners characters. However, follow-up posts from SamLeakss and HYPEX have suggested that the collaboration will only feature content from Cyberpunk 2077. If that's true, then Fortnite is missing out on a huge opportunity.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunner's Impact on Cyberpunk 2077
While Cyberpunk 2077's release was the catalyst for the franchise's rise in popularity, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners made major contributions to the fandom. Cyberpunk 2077 was in a rough state at launch, which caused many people to hold off on playing or avoid the game entirely. As CD Projekt Red worked at patching the game, Netflix and Studio Trigger released the Cyberunk: Edgerunners anime in 2022. The series was not only a huge hit with Cyberpunk 2077 fans, but it drew in plenty of viewers who never engaged with the show's source material. This resulted in a major boom in popularity for Cyberpunk 2077 as Edgerunners fans flocked to give the now-patched game another chance.
The Argument for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Cosmetics in Fortnite
While Cyberpunk 2077 content is a welcome addition to the Fortnite item shop, a lack of Edgerunners representation is sure to disappoint fans. Edgerunners was an entrypoint into the Cyberpunk universe for many people. Due to the show's accessible nature, there's a sizable number of Cyberpunk fans who have only ever watched Edgerunners. Including Edgerunners content would expand the scope of this collaboration's appeal, and it would also give Fortnite much more to draw from when it comes to cosmetics.
When it comes to Cyberpunk 2077, Johnny Silverhand is the only clear contender for a Fortnite skin. He's by far the most well known character from the game, and V's customizable nature would make designing a skin for them too difficult of a process. Characters like Judy Alvarez and Panam Palmer could make the cut in theory, but it would be odd to have side characters get skins over any of Edgerunners' beloved characters.
Between David, Lucy, Rebecca, and Adam Smasher — who is in Cyberpunk 2077 but has a much more memorable appearance in the anime — Edgerunners' has multiple characters that fans would be over the moon to play as in Fortnite. Each of the aforementioned characters have bold, recognizable designs that would stand out more than most of Cyberpunk 2077's characters. They also have great options for other cosmetics in-game, like a Sandevistan back bling or a monowire harvesting tool. Fortnite has already proven its proficiency with cell-shaded skins thanks to past anime collaborations with Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Dragon Ball, meaning that the Edgerunners skins would have the pop and polish fans want.
Given Cyberpunk: Edgerunners popularity, any Fortnite/Cyberpunk collaboration that didn't include content from the anime would be a letdown. Edgerunners' characters would make for desirable skins and would broaden the crossover's appeal. If David and Lucy don't make it into this upcoming collaboration, hopefully Fortnite will consider adding them at a later date, especially with CD Projekt Red confirming that a new Cyberpunk anime is in the works.
Cyberpunk 2077
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- December 10, 2020
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.
Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.
Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades.
The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?
