Edgerunners creator reveals Season 1 happy ending could have been so much worse for David
In the world of grim, neon-drenched Night City, where survival is the only law, creators often wrestle with the weight of tragedy. But for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners creator Bartosz Sztybor offers a surprisingly optimistic perspective on his own masterpiece, declaring that the season one finale, which shattered the audience’s hearts, was, in fact, a happy ending.
This seemingly contradictory stance comes after recounting the brutal reality of the first season, where the vast majority of the crew perished, including the protagonist David and fellow members like Maine and Rebecca. Despite the unflinching, violent conclusion of the season, Sztybor argues that the narrative arc ultimately found a way to resolve itself with a sense of resolution, rather than pure despair.
“When people talk about season one and the ending, the sadness, and that it is a ‘bad ending’ – for me, it is a happy ending,” Sztybor explained. He suggests that in the face of such extreme circumstances, there were somehow worse outcomes that the story avoided.
The reflection delves into the tragic personas of the characters, noting that while their fates were tragic, they were impossible to alter. The focus shifts from the individual losses to the larger, more complex emotional tapestry of the narrative, implying that the story managed to find a form of catharsis amidst the carnage.
Despite the stark realism of Night City, Sztybor remains grounded. He asserts that his fundamental worldview concerning the dystopian setting did not shift during the process of writing the subsequent season, indicating that while the emotional conclusion was uplifting, the setting itself remains a harsh and unforgiving place.
As the story moves forward, the narrative pivots to an entirely new cast and fresh conflicts. The upcoming season will introduce a new ensemble of characters, including the veteran edgerunner Weak Kingsley, nomad D., chrome-infused Talia, and Roman, a young dreamer seeking adventure on the streets of Night City. These new figures promise to explore whether the cycle of trauma and survival will repeat itself.
Fans can look forward to the continuation of this intense story as Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season two arrives on October 20, promising yet another dive into the neon-lit shadows of the future.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
