How to Get a Refund for ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ [Update]

After 8 years in development and numerous delays, Cyberpunk 2077 finally released in early December. One of the most anticipated video game releases in 2020, it sold over 4.72 million copies on PC alone in its first 24 hours, breaking numerous sales records.

Then people actually started playing the game, and the tone shifted from hype to horror.

Players expected an immersive cyberpunk sci-fi world on par with developer CD Projekt Red’s beloved fantasy RPG The Witcher 3; instead, they got an unpolished game that runs poorly on the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and modest PC hardware. But even on platforms powerful enough to play the game smoothly, Cyberpunk 2077 is teeming with bugs. A little open-world unpleasantness is normal from games as big and detailed as this one, but the game’s launch-day experience is a complete mess.

CD Projekt Red has since issued an apology for Cyberpunk 2077’s poor launch quality, and says it is working on post-release patches to improve gameplay performance and reduce the bugs. However, the company says these patches won’t make the PS4 and Xbox One version look, “like it’s running on a high-spec PC or next-gen console, but it will be closer to that experience than it is now.”

pic.twitter.com/jtF5WKCiro

— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) December 14, 2020

Even wilder, the developer is encouraging players to ask for refunds if they feel dissatisfied by their experience with Cyberpunk 2077. I can’t remember the last time a game developer suggested that course of action, but here we are. If you’re an unhappy Cyberpunk customer, the company has set up a dedicated email address you can contact for help getting a full refund for the game.

First, however, you’ll want to request a refund for digital copies using the links below, or by returning any boxed copy to the store you bought it from.

• Microsoft Store (Xbox One)
• PSN Store (PS4)
• Steam (PC)
• GOG (PC)

Since this article was originally published, Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that it will offer full refunds for gamers who have purchased Cyberpunk 2077 digitally.

SIE strives to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction, and we will begin to offer a full refund for all gamers who have purchased Cyberpunk 2077 via PlayStation Store and want a refund. Please visit the following link to initiate the refund: https://t.co/DEZlC0LmUG.

— Ask PlayStation (@AskPlayStation) December 18, 2020

It’s also been announced that the company will be removing the game from the PlayStation Store “until further notice”. More details here.

Note that digital refunds are normally restricted to recently-purchased games that have been played for less than two hours, but some users report getting refunds even if they played for longer. Also note that many online retailers like Amazon have extended their return windows on items purchased during the holiday season, which could help you secure a refund if you get a copy of Cyberpunk 2077 as a gift.

If you run into any issues obtaining a refund, you’ll want to email CD Projekt RED’s dedicated refund support team at [email protected] to see if they can help. You only have until December 21 to bug them for assistance, so don’t dawdle.

Update 19/12: CD Projekt Red has issued a further statement on how those who can’t get a refund from retail stores will work. Users can submit a refund request via the email provided up until December 21 along with proof of purchase. After this submission window has closed the company will provide further instructions on how users can obtain a refund for their game.

Update on Retail Refunds https://t.co/7hAHo19jfa pic.twitter.com/nFMbhvokvl

— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) December 18, 2020

This article has been updated since its original publish date.