CDPR is recruiting mod authors to participate in the development of Cyberpunk 2. Co-Game Director Paweł Sasko estimates that about half of the current quest team for the game previously created mods, with some of their experience dating back to The Witcher 2.
Sasko previously served as the Quest Design Lead for Cyberpunk 2077. In an interview on RedStreams, he stated that the company has hired numerous developers from the modding community. In his view, players can first understand a game by playing it, then gain practical experience by customizing the game and studying how its content is constructed, making mod creation a pathway into the game development industry.
CDPR has partnered with the mod platform mod.io and has previously sought feedback from prominent mod authors on improving Cyberpunk 2077. The creative community surrounding the game has produced various player-made content, such as visual upgrades and new quests, allowing the studio to identify creators who are familiar with the game's systems and possess practical skills.
Recruiting mod talent is not unique to CDPR; Valve and Krafton have followed similar paths, with Counter-Strike, Team Fortress 2, and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds all originating as mod projects. Currently, some creators have joined the CDPR team to work on Cyberpunk 2077 and its sequel.