Have you had Cyberpunk 2077 sitting on your shelf, but never made the leap into the dangerous, seedy streets of Night City? Well, what are you waiting for—get going!
Night City is constantly evolving, and there’s always something new to discover. Based on the universe created by Mike Pondsmith, the Cyberpunk 2077 franchise continues to expand beyond the game itself, reaching fans through new collectible formats.
One such development is the official trading card game Cyberpunk TCG, developed by CD PROJEKT RED and WeirdCo. The game recently completed a successful Kickstarter campaign.
Alongside the card game, we’ve introduced Displate Shards—premium, card-sized metal collectibles inspired by it—as well as exclusive Displates featuring key artwork from the Cyberpunk universe.
So what better time to step into Night City than now? If you’re looking for a teaser to kick off your Cyberpunk 2077 journey, keep reading to discover the dark underbelly of this enthralling city.
A Brief History of Night City
Night City is a fictional city in the United States, situated on the West Coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Like most cities around the world, its past is as dirty as the sewers beneath its streets…
Night City wasn’t always as we know it today. It was once like any other American city—until the Collapse, triggered by the dissolution of the World Bank in 1996, which left millions homeless and led to widespread violence and death.
It was during this time that businessman Richard Alix Night began planning what would become Night City. His ambition was to create a hyper-modern, fully self-sufficient metropolis, with districts preserving different cultures and nationalities—where corporations would run the government in order to push capitalist growth beyond its limits.
A visionary by any standard, Night had plans that required an almost inconceivable amount of capital to bring to life—not to mention the vast plot of land needed to make them a reality. However, the impending Collapse worked in his favor, as corporations vied for footholds in urban areas to establish controlled districts of their own. After unsuccessful attempts to secure locations on both coasts, Night eventually came across a small, abandoned town: Morro Bay.
With less-than-clean money from external investors, the site was initially established as Coronado City. Over time, it became known colloquially as “Night’s City” before being officially renamed Night City following Richard’s death in 1998.
Night City Districts
Fast forward a few years, and the city has become well-established, with its many districts serving its needs. Here’s a window into the inner workings of this dark, futuristic metropolis.
City Center
As you might expect, this is the beating black heart of the corrupt city, where the corporate bigwigs play their games. Streets lined with sleek skyscrapers don’t lull anyone into a sense of security, though, as these corporate zones are heavily guarded to keep undesirables out. The embodiment of wealth, you can feel the ripples of influence ebb from every corner as you wander these streets.
Westbrook
And where do all these wealthy corporate workers go at the end of the day? To Westbrook, where they live large in their mansions and condos, enjoy nights out at high-end skyline clubs, and dine in Japantown’s luxurious restaurants.
Keep your nose clean and your head down, and you might avoid a run-in with the Tyger Claws while you’re spending your hard-earned cash. Though no promises can be made in a district where cutthroat corporate espionage is a favored pastime.
Santo Domingo
From the glamour of Westbrook to the industrial heart of the city—Santo Domingo. The district is scattered with power plants, warehouses, and factories, making it a grittier part of town—but one that plays a crucial role in the city’s infrastructure. And just as its streets stand in stark contrast to Westbrook’s immaculate surroundings, so too do its inhabitants, many of whom live in near poverty.
Pacifica
Dreamed up as a luxury tourist hotspot, Pacifica’s development never came to full fruition—and has since been left to decay, worn down by the elements. That might not be so bad if it weren’t for the fact that it has become a battleground for rival gangs. And yet, despite its flaws, a vibrant community of Haitians and immigrants has claimed this district as their home.
Watson
Much like Pacifica, and marked by the shadows of what once was, Watson used to be the hub of advanced technology—a corporate haven during the peak of the tech boom. Now, however, it’s a shell of its former self, with high gang activity and streets filled with struggling people and failing businesses.
It’s not without its allure, though. The Kabuki Market offers a bustling bazaar to explore—if you like your street food with a side of illegal cyberware.
Heywood
It’s easy to see the deep disparity between rich and poor in Night City, but there is a middle class—one that carries an air of quiet suburbia on the surface, with a darker story underneath.
Heywood offers all the family-oriented features you’d expect from a quaint neighborhood: parks, street markets, and community centers. In the shadows, however, gang wars rage over turf conflicts, showcasing this district’s duality for all to see.
Culture of Night City
As a metropolis in a dystopian world, Night City reflects the wants and desires of its inhabitants—a melting pot of communities that endlessly thrive, build, and clash.
While corporate advertising and propaganda blaze across the city in neon, there remains a strong sense of pride in personal identity and self-expression, particularly in underground scenes where punk music and art resist conformity.
This is further explored through the themes of cybernetic enhancement and transhumanism that permeate all districts and social classes. Its people are heavily augmented with technology—whether for everyday use or more sinister purposes.
Yet perhaps the most influential aspect of Night City’s culture comes from its factions and gangs, which control many walks of life…
Corporations and Gangs
Like any upstanding city in modern America, Night City runs like clockwork on a mechanism of corruption and deceit. At its core are the megacorporations pulling the strings, coexisting with gangs that operate at street level to keep the city moving.
Megacorporations
At the top of the pyramid are the power-center conglomerates that have governed the city since the Collapse. Three megacorporations truly run the show:
Arasaka
Founded long before the Collapse, this megacorp specializes in security and arms. Arasaka endured through global turmoil, expanding into military technology and cybernetics. Its influence is central to the plot of Cyberpunk 2077.
Militech
A direct rival to Arasaka, Militech operates in arms and military hardware. It provides security and combat services in the private sector, often engaging in corporate warfare.
Kang Tao
A relative newcomer, Kang Tao has taken an aggressive approach to securing its place among the elite. One of the world’s largest weapons manufacturers, it specializes in cutting-edge smart weapons and AI systems.
Night City Gangs
The gangs of Night City are many and far-reaching. Some operate openly in militant fashion, while others work in the shadows, shaping the city to their own ends.
There are eight major gangs to know—excluding those in the Badlands:
6th Street
Based in Santo Domingo, these self-proclaimed patriots of old America act more like vigilantes. They’re easily recognized by their military gear and fondness for waving American flags.
Animals
Lacking a fixed territory, the Animals are spread across the city. They rely on brute strength over cybernetic augmentation.
BARGHEST
Operating out of Dogtown in Pacifica, BARGHEST was once part of Militech before breaking away. It’s now made up of former militia, delinquents, and power seekers, with the self-proclaimed leader of Dogtown, Kurt Hansen, as their commander.
Maelstrom
Based in Watson, Maelstrom members are obsessed with cybernetic enhancement, pushing augmentation to extreme—and often grotesque—levels.
Scavengers (Scavs)
With no central territory, Scavs are notorious for kidnapping victims and harvesting their cyberware. Disorganized but ruthless, they thrive on opportunism.
The Mox
Operating out of Lizzie’s Bar in Watson, this gang is made up of feminists, punks, anarchists, and sexual minorities. They are fiercely protective of their community and often clash with the Tyger Claws.
Tyger Claws
Dominating Japantown in Westbrook, Tyger Claws control nightlife and operate with a polished exterior, masking brutal methods beneath.
Valentinos
Found throughout Heywood, the Valentinos are one of the largest gangs in the city. Rooted in Latino culture, they value family, honor, and loyalty, and are recognizable by their tattoos, religious imagery, and gold-adorned weapons.
Voodoo Boys
Formed by Haitian refugees, this small but influential group specializes in netrunning—hacking networks to gather and sell information—making them key players in the city’s digital underworld.
Make Night City Yours
Feeling intrigued by what Night City has to offer? If you really want to experience what it’s like to live, work, and infiltrate this city, there’s only one way—jump into the game.
And if all this has you ready to experience the neon lights and darker thrills of Night City, why not take it a step further? As you dive into this dystopian world, bring it into your space with iconic Cyberpunk 2077 metal posters.
From weapon schematics and in-game stills to concept art pulled straight from the Cyberpunk universe, each piece is easy to hang, swap, and show off — no frames, no tools, no fuss.
Looking for more? Explore our collection of gaming posters across every genre. And if you want more gaming guides, home inspiration, and fan-focused content, take a look at our blog.
