The introduction of Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty (Review) DLC and 2.0 update could have led to a bug that breaks immersion for players. While attempts have been made to fix it, they don’t always succeed.
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Even though Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty DLC may have addressed many issues, they also appear to have disrupted one of the most engaging parts of life in Night City. While Phantom Liberty brought significant changes to Cyberpunk, the 2.0 update was arguably more impactful. Rolled out as a free patch shortly before the DLC, Phantom Liberty made substantial alterations to progression, customization, and even vehicular combat mechanics. Cyberpunk 2.0 represented a significant upgrade, enhancing the overall gaming experience compared to its original release.
Nevertheless, Cyberpunk still grapples with its share of mysteries and bugs, some of which may have worsened due to the 2.0 update. This issue goes beyond simple problems like a T-posing NPC or a missing texture; it seems to have removed one of the most intriguing worldbuilding features in Cyberpunk 2077. Unfortunately, solutions to this problem have not been forthcoming.
Cyberpunk 2.0 Appears to Have Disrupted Radio DJs
Is Maximum Mike Gone in Cyberpunk 2.0?
As per a Reddit post by user 4lk4n4l4d4, it seems that radio DJs are not functioning properly after the Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 update. Some stations used to have dedicated hosts, while others played news and gossip updates from Stanley Media. These DJs would come on air intermittently, similar to those found in the Grand Theft Auto and Fallout series. However, many players have noted their absence following recent updates. Some claim to have not heard them at all, while others say they appear less frequently now.
2.0 broke the most immersive parts of the game
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Cyberpunk’s radio hosts added an extra layer of immersion by seeming to react to the player’s actions. They would report on the outcomes of major story missions, mirroring V’s journey from unknown to hero of the streets. At the start, hosts might discuss V’s significant jobs as intriguing news bits attributed to an unknown newcomer. By the game’s conclusion, they would closely track V’s every move, akin to following a celebrity. This feature contributed to the sense of a dynamic world, where radio hosts directly acknowledged how the player’s choices impacted Night City.
Moreover, the radio hosts in Cyberpunk contributed significantly to Night City’s personality. Two stations featured dedicated DJs in earlier versions of the game: Maximum Mike on Morro Rock Radio and Ash on Growl FM. Each DJ had their own interests and news focus. Maximum Mike delved into corporate intrigue and conspiracy theories, while Ash explored esoteric concepts like fate and predetermination. In essence, they were characters, albeit minor ones, who added humanity to a city often depicted as hostile to joy.
This issue appears to be a bug, as there is no confirmation from CD Projekt Red suggesting that the removal of radio hosts was intentional. In the aforementioned Reddit post, 4lk4n4l4d4 mentions occasionally hearing Ash on Growl FM, but she repeats the same comments every time. Other players report seeing subtitles for the DJs’ interludes but cannot hear the audio.
Possible Solutions for Cyberpunk’s Radio Hosts Issue
Copyright Problems, Phantom Liberty, or Complete Reinstallation?
In various comments on the aforementioned Reddit post, players propose solutions to the absence of radio hosts. Some suggest that reactivating copyrighted music might bring back the DJs’ segments. This method appears effective for some players; it’s plausible that the talk segments contain copyrighted background music or were mistakenly flagged as such in the 2.0 update. However, in an update, the original poster mentions attempting this without success.
Another player, in a Steam community forum post linked within the Reddit thread by 4lk4n4l4d4, suggests that progressing to Phantom Liberty might resolve the issue. Yet, this isn’t a universal fix. Firstly, it entails starting a new game, which may deter players who have already invested significant time in their Cyberpunk playthroughs. Even newcomers may hesitate to skip ahead to the DLC, especially if they haven’t purchased it yet.
Furthermore, some players propose that completely reinstalling Cyberpunk could restore the missing hosts. This is the last resort, given Cyberpunk’s sizable file size, which could consume considerable time. However, if players have exhausted all other options to no avail, it may be worth attempting. Nevertheless, it doesn’t guarantee success in every instance.
Read Also: A Player Discovers Brand-New Secret in Cyberpunk 2077 in Recent Update
Consequently, radio DJs appear entirely absent from the updated version of the game, and subsequent patches have not resolved the issue. No reliable solution exists from the players’ end. Ultimately, the only resolution lies in a patch from CD Projekt Red. However, there has been no acknowledgment of the problem from the developers. Until they address it, radio DJs will continue to be absent from some players’ Cyberpunk 2077 saves.
