In the latest update for Cyberpunk 2077, the Phantom Liberty expansion introduces a quest that has players running for their lives from a deadly robot, creating an experience reminiscent of Frodo Baggins' tense moments in Lord of the Rings. Quest director Paweł Sasko elaborated on the design philosophy of CD Projekt, revealing that the quest, named 'Somewhat Damaged', was inspired by the fearsome encounter with Shelob in LOTR, to instill a similar emotional impact. CD Projekt focuses on crafting themed quests that are easily communicable to the team and engaging for players, emphasizing that despite drawing inspiration from other genres, they have no plans to integrate microtransactions into their single-player games.

What is the main inspiration behind the 'Somewhat Damaged' quest in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty?

The quest was inspired by the scene in Lord of the Rings where Frodo Baggins encounters Shelob, the giant spider. Like LOTR, the quest is designed to evoke a feeling of dread and tension, mirroring Frodo's harrowing experiences.

As additional background information, Cyberpunk 2077 is a game developed and published by CD Projekt, the creators of the critically acclaimed Witcher series. It is set in a dystopian future where players navigate a complex narrative and make decisions that influence the story's outcome. The Phantom Liberty expansion brings new content, which is highly anticipated due to the initial mixed reception of Cyberpunk 2077 at launch, owing to technical issues. Since then, the game has received numerous updates to address these problems, and new expansions like Phantom Liberty help to expand the narrative and world-building elements that captivate players. Cyberpunk 2077 draws influences from various media, including literary works, to create immersive quest experiences that resonate with a broad audience of gamers.