A Stark Contrast: Rare 2013 Cyberpunk 2077 Gameplay Build Reveals Third Person Origins
Cyberpunk 2077 is widely known today as a large scale open world RPG that went through a long and difficult development journey before reaching its current, more stable form. From early planning stages to post launch overhauls, the project spanned more than a decade, with countless changes along the way.
Recently, a rare gameplay clip believed to be from a 2013 pre alpha build has surfaced online, offering a fascinating look at how different Cyberpunk 2077 once was during its early development phase.
Third person gameplay before the first person shift
The footage was shared by a user known as Synth Potato, showcasing early gameplay that already established the core cyberpunk themes of futuristic society and human body modification. However, one major difference immediately stands out.
Instead of the familiar first person perspective, the game was originally designed as a third person shooter, with the camera positioned behind the main character.
The protagonist name V is already present in this early build, indicating that some narrative foundations were set early on. The clip also shows interactive dialogue scenes, including an encounter with a female character inside an apartment, highlighting early experimentation with world interaction and storytelling.
Limited action footage but intriguing design choices
While the clip allows viewers to explore the environment and interact with city residents, it does not reveal any combat or action gameplay. As a result, it remains unclear how shooting mechanics or combat encounters were originally planned during this phase.
Still, the footage raises interesting questions. If Cyberpunk 2077 had remained a third person experience, how different would its pacing, immersion, and combat feel have been?
Although third person camera mods exist today, they cannot fully replicate the experience of a game originally designed around that perspective from the ground up.
From early concept to final vision
Cyberpunk 2077 is now available as an open world RPG played from a first person perspective, placing players directly into the role of mercenary V in a brutal futuristic city filled with neon lights, corruption, and moral decay.
The game emphasizes player freedom, allowing customization of appearance, background, and playstyle, whether through hacking, gunplay, or cybernetic enhancements.
This newly revealed 2013 build serves as a reminder of just how much Cyberpunk 2077 evolved over time, and how drastically a game’s vision can change before reaching its final form.
