Following CD Projekt Red's recent announcement of a new 2.2 update for "Cyberpunk 2077," the developer detailed several new features coming to the game during its "REDstreams" live broadcast today. The additions include expanded vehicle customization options and a completely overhauled Photo Mode.
Vehicle Customization
First up is vehicle customization. Back in February 2024, CD Projekt Red introduced the "CrystalCoat" feature for the high-end Rayfield brand, allowing players to change their car's paint job and light tints. This feature is now being extended to other vehicle brands, including Herrera, Mizutani, Quadra, and Villefort, all of which can now be tweaked with CrystalCoat to achieve your desired look.
More interestingly, this customization feature now has a gameplay function: when you have a wanted level from the NCPD, you can change your vehicle's appearance to lower your heat and temporarily throw the police off your trail. However, this doesn't mean your wanted status will be cleared instantly—after all, the cops recognize more than just your car. After changing your paint job, you'll still need to escape the NCPD's pursuit radius until your wanted stars completely disappear.
Of course, once you exit the vehicle, the paint will revert to its original appearance. But don't worry! The moment you get back in, your ride will switch back to your custom color. It's important to note that the CrystalCoat feature is limited to player-owned vehicles. You won't be able to use this cool tech on stolen cars or vehicles driven during specific missions.
Additionally, Update 2.2 adds a new "Paint Scan" feature. Simply put, you can now use your Kiroshi optics to scan another vehicle on the road and copy its paint job onto your own car. But—this is Night City, which means this feature isn't free. You'll have to pay a small fee in-game to make another driver's paint scheme your own.
Of course, mission-specific vehicles and NCPD cruisers do not support CrystalCoat technology, and some vehicle color schemes cannot be replicated.
Photo Mode
The once-limited Photo Mode, which previously required mods to extend camera functionality, has been completely overhauled in "Cyberpunk 2077" Update 2.2. Virtual photographers are no longer tethered to V's position, now having much greater freedom to capture wider, more memorable shots of Night City.
As part of this revamp, CD Projekt Red has also added custom lighting and PC-exclusive aspect ratio settings (meaning console players won't have this feature). This allows players to frame their shots perfectly in-game without needing to open up Photoshop for cropping—unless you have very specific needs, of course.
Best of all, in response to fan requests, players can now bring up to three NPCs from the main story and DLC into Photo Mode, with over 20 characters to choose from. Just like with V, you can freely adjust their expressions, poses, and positions to create the perfect group shot.
Kiroshi's New "Smart Frames"
As fans know, Kiroshi is a major corporation in the world of "Cyberpunk 2077," renowned for manufacturing cyber-optics. The 2.2 update expands on the Kiroshi brand with a new feature.
Players can now interact with a new "Smart Frame" in their apartments, allowing them to upload any photos taken in-game to decorate their living space.
Tied to this new feature, players can now find a new "Photo Album" in the Journal, Shards, and Tarot menus to browse all the pictures they've taken in "Cyberpunk 2077".
You can also add screenshots taken before the 2.2 update to the album on both PC and consoles. For PC players, you can simply drop old screenshots into the game's picture folder (C:UsersuserPicturesCyberpunk 2077)—and it even works with screenshots from other games. One Reddit user has already showcased their Smart Frame displaying a screenshot from the Yakuza series.
More Character Customization
Additionally, the "Cyberpunk 2077" Update 2.2 adds a variety of "more punk" looks, with new options including:
－32 Eye Colors
－18 Lip Makeup Styles
－17 Nail Designs
－10 Blushes
－16 Eye Makeup Styles
－4 Facial Scars
－5 Eyebrow Styles
－4 Facial Tattoos
－2 Body Tattoos
－8 Facial Cyberware options
▼New tattoos featuring more corporate logos and Sandevistan designs
Of course, if you're feeling indecisive about V's look, you can use the "Randomize" feature and lock in specific parts you like.
Johnny Silverhand is Your New Co-Pilot
As one of the soul-defining characters of "Cyberpunk 2077," Johnny Silverhand gets more opportunities for interaction in Update 2.2. While V is driving around Night City, Johnny will now randomly pop up in the passenger seat to chew you out, commenting on your driving—and he'll even get an attitude if you stare at him for too long.
This feature becomes available after the end of Act 1, with Johnny appearing in the passenger seat from time to time. The trigger is random, but it appears to happen quite frequently.
The Secret Crossover Not Mentioned on Stream: 'Cyberpunk 2077' Meets 'Balatro'
In a surprise not revealed during the official REDstreams broadcast, CD Projekt Red has launched a fun crossover event between "Cyberpunk 2077" and "Balatro," the hit indie game nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024!
After updating to version 2.2, players will receive a text from Gimmy. V must then follow the photo clues in the message to find ten Joker symbols scattered across different locations, completing a special scavenger hunt.
Completing the mission rewards players with a special "Balatro"-themed apartment decoration and a unique T-shirt for V featuring art from the indie hit.
