I know V's name is either Valerie or Vincent, but imagine if the player's character did that because they were a fan of V or something, but you get to choose one of the 26 letters of the alphabet.
I don't think they'll go the single letter route again. Would be a bit cliche to simply repeat that design.
It's likely that the new protagonist will still utilize a nickname of some type though. As it cuts down on the need to record lines twice to feature distinct names for Male/Female characters and is common practice among games that are fully voiced (Usually with something like a title such as "Grey Warden" in DA:O and "Wanderer" in Fallout, a surname such as "Shepard" in ME or a nickname like "Rook" in DA:VG).
In the same vein, there likely won't be any "Choosing" of this nickname for the same reason. Recording multiple versions of lines just to enable a character to call your character something slightly different is a lot of work (And money) for very little benefit. (I know some people want developers to embrace AI to enable such things... But that's a massive can of worms to open)
Of course, it's not impossible for them to do something different. For example, AC: Odyssey had the male/female protagonist as separate characters with unique names (Kassandra and Alexios) and slightly different stories. Though I doubt this because of CP2077's ability to mix and match body type and voices, enabling trans characters. It not being possible in the sequel would upset some people.
It's likely that the new protagonist will still utilize a nickname of some type though. As it cuts down on the need to record lines twice to feature distinct names for Male/Female characters and is common practice among games that are fully voiced (Usually with something like a title such as "Grey Warden" in DA:O and "Wanderer" in Fallout, a surname such as "Shepard" in ME or a nickname like "Rook" in DA:VG).
In the same vein, there likely won't be any "Choosing" of this nickname for the same reason. Recording multiple versions of lines just to enable a character to call your character something slightly different is a lot of work (And money) for very little benefit. (I know some people want developers to embrace AI to enable such things... But that's a massive can of worms to open)
Of course, it's not impossible for them to do something different. For example, AC: Odyssey had the male/female protagonist as separate characters with unique names (Kassandra and Alexios) and slightly different stories. Though I doubt this because of CP2077's ability to mix and match body type and voices, enabling trans characters. It not being possible in the sequel would upset some people.
You are probably going to be proven right in the future. However Games HAVE used (to a limited degree) multiple names for the player character such as in Fallout with the butler robot and to a lesser degree in oblivion in the Arena. Plus like it or not AI is coming to games, it is inevitable. It is already in your office software bugging us like good old MS word clippy did in his day.
And as for repeating design, lol how many dozens of times (not just Bethesda) have we started as prisoners in games?
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Seems to be one of the most important tools in every game dev's starter kit.
As for names, in CP2 I advocate for our character being designated by a number rather than a name. Either some seemingly random number that has everybody guessing at its significance, or else 43.
No, I meant 42, but I'm an idiot and misremembered it as 43.or 47?
Honestly, I really like the idea of using a number instead of a traditional name for the player character. It would feel incredibly fitting for a dystopian or anarcho-cyberpunk setting. Something like "Test Subject 2314", "Unit 88", or even a cold designation like "Registry Entry 04-7C" could add a lot of narrative flavor.
What’s more, it could open the door to some interesting character development. Imagine starting the game as just another numbered asset, lost in the system, and part of your personal arc is reclaiming your identity — choosing a name, a persona, maybe even rejecting your designation entirely. That would tie gameplay and story together in a really immersive way.
It’s also a clever workaround for the voice acting challenge — NPCs could just refer to you by number or codename until you reach a turning point. Then maybe just one or two names are selectable later, tied to narrative choices, kind of like a reward for shaping your own path.
Definitely a route I hope the devs consider, especially since CP2077 already flirted with themes of self-definition and identity.
What’s more, it could open the door to some interesting character development. Imagine starting the game as just another numbered asset, lost in the system, and part of your personal arc is reclaiming your identity — choosing a name, a persona, maybe even rejecting your designation entirely. That would tie gameplay and story together in a really immersive way.
It’s also a clever workaround for the voice acting challenge — NPCs could just refer to you by number or codename until you reach a turning point. Then maybe just one or two names are selectable later, tied to narrative choices, kind of like a reward for shaping your own path.
Definitely a route I hope the devs consider, especially since CP2077 already flirted with themes of self-definition and identity.
A nice spin might be that the character gets a nickname in the tutorial. Perhaps a selection of 5 or so different ones. It will be received based on how and why they make the choices they make for that first "mission" or whatever it is. Then, the other characters will refer to them by that nickname for the rest of the game. (The challenge would be coming up with a list of equally nuanced nicknames.)
I would like to play as a predefined character for a change.
V wasn't very well defined, especially his/her past and personality.
To make it more interesting, I would like both the game and the new main character to bring a new perspective on the cyberpunk world.
Give the character something what it (dis)likes, (not) fears, wants (not) to achieve,...contacts, friends, enemies, equipment...right from the beginning.
I would like it to move away from the CDPR's favorite path of being a neutral merc for hire.
V wasn't very well defined, especially his/her past and personality.
To make it more interesting, I would like both the game and the new main character to bring a new perspective on the cyberpunk world.
Give the character something what it (dis)likes, (not) fears, wants (not) to achieve,...contacts, friends, enemies, equipment...right from the beginning.
I would like it to move away from the CDPR's favorite path of being a neutral merc for hire.
I'd hardly call the singular title they've made where they didn't use a pre-defined character their "Favourite Path"
Literally, their Witcher titles were all based on Geralt. Who was not only pre-defined, but wasn't even an original character (He was in Witcher books before the games were made)
CP2077 was CDPR's first time having a player defined character - Even then, there was still quite a lot of definition to V compared to most blank slate characters. Both having a background (Chosen by the life path) as well as having a somewhat distinct personality (You had some options in dialogue, but the overarching character has its own personality, you just nudge your interactions certain directions)
Compared to something like Tav in BG3 where you have nothing. No background (Besides "Baldurian" though with no specifics just "You grew up in Baldur's Gate"), no personality, no any definition at all and just a bunch of generic dialogue options. It's night and day. It's why V is a popular character, with many people wishing they could continue to play as V in subequent games.
Truth be told, I have played only Witcher 3, so I can opinionate only about that.
My W3's Geralt impression is he was portrayed as a neutral merc for hire much more than in the books. He would hardly ever work for Nilfgaard, even if the job was to find Ciri (he didn't in the books), he would probably kill Baron's men, perhaps he wouldn't make a deal with the Crones,...
CP77 is the same about that, in my opinion. V is a neutral merc who deals with literally anyone - NUSA, NC mayor, VBs and Netwatch, nomads, sex toys, AIs, Arasaka,...
I would assume V being a merc from NC would close more than half of the contacts and jobs just because of that.
I see this as a CDPR's game design principle rather than a one-time thing. However, I have played only two of their games and I would happily like to be proven wrong
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