The Cyberpunk 2077 Post-Launch Controversy Continues as Microsoft Offers Refunds and CD Projekt Pledges to Help Refund Physical Purchases

The Cyberpunk 2077 post-launch controversy, full of bugs and shoddy performance on last-gen consoles, continues to escalate as Microsoft begins refunding all digital purchases of the game on Xbox platforms—should the owner request it, of course. Additionally, CD Projekt RED has announced via Twitter (tweet found below) that it will assist all owners of a physical version of Cyberpunk 2077  in receiving their refund, as long as they apply for it before the 21st December.

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

— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) December 18, 2020

Microsoft's statement acknowledges the "challenging circumstances" facing CD Projekt RED but ultimately comes out in favour of its customer base, confirming that it will "offer full refunds to anyone who purchased Cyberpunk 2077 digitally from the Microsoft Store, until further notice". This comes less than 24 hours after Sony removed the game from the PlayStation Store and pledged to offer refunds to all digital purchases of the game on PlayStation. 

As for CD Projekt RED's promise to assist physical purchasers in receiving their refund, the offer comes with a couple of caveats. First, customers must provide a valid proof of purchase; second, they must officially apply for refund assistance—by sending an email to helpmerefund@cdprojektred.com—before the 21st December. If customers meet both of these requirements, the developer guarantees that they will receive their refund, even if the retailer itself refuses. In its official statement, CD Projekt RED expresses a desire for "every owner" to receive a refund should they request one. Furthermore, the company has confirmed that it will "do this out of our own pocket if necessary".

The Cyberpunk 2077 situation has changed an awful lot in the last 48 hours. From outright refusal of refunds across the board to universally accessible refunds on all platforms, including retail. Sony has even removed the digital version of the game from sale "until further notice". We will continue to report on this situation as it develops and—hopefully—the game's performance improves.