The article reflects on the troubled launch period of Cyberpunk 2077, arguing that, despite its technical problems, it created an unusually intense shared cultural moment for players and online communities. The writer’s sense of ‘fear of missing out’ is directed at participating in that collective experience, rather than at the game’s bugs or shortcomings themselves.

Cyberpunk 2077 launched in 2020 amid widespread criticism over performance issues, particularly on older consoles, and CD Projekt Red later spent years issuing fixes and updates. The article contrasts that chaotic period with the game’s improved current state, suggesting that a smoother, more polished experience may lack the same feeling of being part of a major, widely discussed event.