Jackie Welles, one of the most memorable characters from Cyberpunk 2077, has sparked intense debate among fans about his gameplay time. Emma Matthews, former writer for PC Gamer, has praised Jackie as the best character in the game, highlighting the impact he had on players. However, Igor Sarzynski, a creative from Cyberpunk 2, offers a different perspective, arguing that it is not necessary to extend Act 1 of the game, where Jackie plays a prominent role.
Jackie, we love you, don’t worry
In a recent exchange on Bluesky, Sarzynski compared the idea of extending the time in Act 1 to the expansion of Luke Skywalker’s story on Tatooine before joining the Jedi saga. He argued that prolonging this period could lead to a “meandering and unfocused” gameplay experience, suggesting that players need clear goals to progress in the game. During this first act, the main narrative has not developed, creating a dissonance in character V’s progression as they begin to undertake side missions.
Sarzynski acknowledged that there is a ludonarrative dissonance, where V seeks to save themselves while participating in missions that may seem trivial. He suggested that, in future installments, these side missions be better contextualized within the central narrative, perhaps even unlocking certain endings after completing additional content.
Despite the criticism and suggestions from fans, the creative made it clear that CD Projekt has a solid vision for its games, moving away from more “free” approaches like those of Grand Theft Auto. According to him, most players seek a deeply narrated and character-focused experience, which will continue to be a distinctive feature of the upcoming Cyberpunk 2.
