A Win for Equality: Cyberpunk 2077’s New Update Removes Bizarre Gender Lock on Photo Mode Poses

In the vast, sprawling, and ever-evolving world of Cyberpunk 2077, the game’s Photo Mode has long been a source of creative expression and community joy. Players have spent countless hours creating stunning virtual photographs of their customized characters and the vibrant, dystopian world of Night City. The game’s photo mode, which has always been a cut above the rest, was a key selling point at launch and has only gotten better with a series of updates that have added new poses, expressions, and effects. However, a recent update introduced a puzzling and frustrating gender lock on some of the new poses, a baffling decision for a game that prides itself on player choice and customization. But in a move that has been met with a collective sigh of relief, CD Projekt Red has released Patch 2.31, which finally removes that bizarre gender lock, allowing players to use most of the new poses with any gender. This is more than just a simple fix; it’s a testament to the developers’ commitment to listening to their community and a welcome step towards a more inclusive and less restrictive gaming experience.

A Glitch in the System: The Bizarre Gender Lock

For a game that allows players to mix and match their character’s voice and body type, the decision to gender-lock poses was a strange and a confusing one. The gender lock affected some of the most popular new poses, including a cool, sitting-on-the-ground pose for female V and a double middle-finger gesture for male V. For many players, this was a perplexing regression. The community, through various forums and social media, was quick to point out the absurdity of the situation. As one Reddit commenter noted, “It makes no sense – and CD Projekt Red has finally realised that.” The frustration was palpable, as players felt that the decision went against the game’s core ethos of creative freedom. Many in the community speculated that the issue was a result of a technical oversight, a quirk of the game’s code that ties animations to gender, a problem that has been a known issue for modders for years. The fact that the developers were able to “fix” it is a powerful signal that they are not just patching bugs but are actively working to improve the core player experience.

More Than Just Poses: A New Era of Polish and Optimization

While the gender-lock fix is the headline, Patch 2.31 is a much larger and more comprehensive update that is a testament to CD Projekt Red’s continued dedication to the game. The patch also includes a much-needed improvement to the game’s new “AutoDrive” feature, a feature that has been widely criticized for being clunky and unreliable since its debut in a previous update. This is a crucial fix, as it makes the feature more usable and reliable, allowing players to fully enjoy the game’s open world without the frustration of a broken mechanic. The patch also includes a variety of smaller bug fixes and performance improvements, addressing common issues encountered by players. This continued commitment to a game that is now over five years old is a clear indication that the developers are not just working on the sequel but are also dedicated to making the current game a truly complete and high-value experience for both new and returning players. The game’s enduring appeal is a testament to its compelling story and its stunning visuals, and the developers’ continued support ensures that it will remain a classic for years to come.

The removal of the gender lock is a small but significant step towards making Cyberpunk 2077 the game it was always meant to be. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful changes are the ones that simply give players the freedom to express themselves without any unnecessary restrictions. The photo mode is now a more inclusive and a more complete tool for creative expression, and that is something worth celebrating.