‘Cyberpunk TCG’ Devs Talk Edgerunners Inspiration, Record-Breaking Kickstarter, And Bringing Night City To The Table
After raising over US$25 million on Kickstarter, the team behind 'Cyberpunk TCG' breaks down how Edgerunners sparked the idea, how CD Projekt Red shaped the project, and why its dice-driven mechanics aim to shake up the crowded card game scene.
Cover image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYS
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After conquering video games, anime, and tabletop RPGs, the Cyberpunk universe is now making a serious push into the trading card game space, and it is doing so in a big way
Developed by WeirdCo in collaboration with CD Projekt Red, Cyberpunk TCG has already smashed expectations, raising over US$25 million on Kickstarter and becoming the most-funded trading card game campaign in the platform's history.
But beyond the eye-watering numbers, the game is drawing attention for something far more important: how it plays. Built around a dice-driven 'street cred' system and a tug-of-war style of gameplay, it blends traditional TCG mechanics with the DNA of Cyberpunk 2077 and the original tabletop RPG created by Mike Pondsmith, resulting in something that feels both familiar and genuinely new.
So how do you take a beloved, detail-heavy universe like Cyberpunk and translate it into a card game that works, not just as a collectable, but as a long-term experience?
We spoke to WeirdCo CEO Luohan Wei and Creative Director Jonny Erner to find out how Cyberpunk TCG came to life, what sets it apart, and what players can expect as it prepares to hit tables later this year
The Weirdco team celebrating its record-breaking kickstarter campaign.
Image via IGN Southeast Asia"We wanted something that felt like an extension of the Cyberpunk universe"
For Luohan Wei, the idea for Cyberpunk TCG did not start with cards; it started with a story.
"The inspiration… started when Cyberpunk: Edgerunners first came out," he said, explaining how the anime's emotional storytelling pulled the team in.
That curiosity quickly led them deeper into the world of Cyberpunk 2077, and from there, the potential for a trading card game became obvious.
Cyberpunk TCG – Key Art.
Image via IGN Southeast Asia"This universe is vast and has so many stories to tell, and this is a great starting point for a TCG."
Turning that idea into reality meant working closely with CD Projekt Red, something Wei describes as both collaborative and essential.
"We first met… back in 2024, and over many discussions and playtesting sessions, the project came to life," he said, adding that CDPR's experience with card systems like GWENT brought valuable insight into development.
Building a game that feels like "Night City on the table"
Rather than simply adapting characters into cards, the team focused on capturing the feeling of Cyberpunk.
Led by head of game design Richard Zapp, the gameplay revolves around building a crew, taking on gigs, and competing for 'Street Cred', a system that mirrors the world's high-risk, high-reward structure.
"We wanted to create a TCG product that played like an extension of… the Cyberpunk universe,"Wei said.
At the same time, accessibility was a key consideration.
The team wanted a game that could welcome newcomers who have never touched a TCG, without alienating experienced players, a balance that often trips up new entries in the genre.
"It can be easy to overestimate how much complexity is needed," Wei explained.
"Complexity is a genie you can't put back in the bottle."
Art that embraces the chaos of Cyberpunk
On the creative side, Cyberpunk TCG leans heavily into variety, not despite the franchise's identity, but because of it.
According to creative director Jonny Erner, consistency was never the primary goal.
"While consistency is a symptom, the actual goal is authenticity," he said.
With more than 20 artists involved, the team embraced different visual styles across cards, drawing from everything from Edgerunners to the mainline games.
"We like to think of it as our cards having different coats of paint with the same engine under the hood."
That approach allows each card to feel like its own 'canvas', while still staying grounded in the tone of Night City: neon-soaked, chaotic, and unmistakably Cyberpunk.
Familiar faces, deep cuts, and Johnny Silverhand
The first set, titled Welcome to Night City, focuses on the core Cyberpunk 2077 experience, featuring recognisable characters like V and Johnny Silverhand.
And yes, Keanu Reeves' iconic rockerboy makes the cut.
"Johnny Silverhand is absolutely featured… it was incredibly important to us that we do him justice," Wei said.
But the team is not just sticking to the obvious picks.
Players can expect 'deep cuts' and hidden details scattered throughout the set, a nod to longtime fans who know the universe inside out.
"We've spent a lot of time finding as many ways to delight Cyberpunk fans as we can," he added.
A crowded genre and big expectations
Beyond gameplay and art, WeirdCo is also thinking about longevity, something many new TCGs struggle with.
While details on future expansions and formats remain under wraps, Wei hinted at ongoing community involvement through Discord, events, and player feedback.
It's already swimming in Eddies, but that's not the only challenge ahead.
Image via IGN Southeast Asia"We intend to have a really close relationship with the community… and be in constant communication."
That approach could prove crucial in a space dominated by long-standing giants like Magic: The Gathering, where sustained player engagement often determines whether a game survives beyond its initial hype.
So, should you be paying attention?
For newcomers, Wei keeps it simple: just jump in.
"We've worked hard to make sure this is an accessible game… try out a fast and fun game."
For veterans who might be sceptical, especially about the dice mechanics, his message is just as direct:
"We know players get a little nervous about dice in their card games, but we're confident those concerns will quickly disappear once you play."
With its record-breaking debut, distinct mechanics, and deep ties to one of gaming's most recognisable universes, Cyberpunk TCG is off to a strong start
Whether it can translate that momentum into long-term staying power is another question entirely, but for now, it is clear that Night City is not done expanding just yet.
This article originally appeared on IGN Southeast Asia, with rights to be republished on SAYS.
