InCyberpunk 2077, the United States is in a far different place than in our time, having severely fragmented in the decades leading up to the game. The setting of Night City is treated as a city-state despite being in California, which in itself separated from the United States to become a “Free State” along with places such as Idaho and Oregon. The nation still exists in the form of the New United States of America (NUSA), and although it was not focused on inCyberpunk 2077’s base game, it’ll play a pivotal role in itsPhantom LibertyDLC.
Despite being slated to release later this year, there is still not muchinformation aboutCyberpunk 2077:Phantom Libertybeyond the narrative having V exploring the inside of a walled-off part of Pacifica, and there is even more limited information concerning the figures who will likely play key roles in the DLC. This goes along well with the “spy-thriller” tone it takes inspiration from, keeping the most important details hidden until they are brought to light. Between the teasers and in-game lore, there is at least some information that will help clarify how the United States operates in 2077.
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The FIA and the Gang of Four
Solomon Reed is the person fans keeping up with news about the DLC would likely know the most about. He has been at the center ofCyberpunk 2077:Phantom Liberty’smarketing, no doubt in part due to being played byacclaimed actor Idris Elba. One of the few concrete facts known about Reed is that he is an agent for the FIA, a department of the NUSA that is only now making a prominent appearance in the series.
It is not entirely clear what the FIA does, but potential connections to previous organizations run by theUS government inCyberpunk 2077’s timelinecould give a good insight into its methods. Although organizations like the FBI, NSA, and DEA had been dissolved by the early 21st century, their impact cannot be understated. Together with the CIA, the institutions formed the Gang of Four, a collective formed in the mid-20th century that started the coup which irreparably damaged the United States for decades to come.
When evidence that these organizations were acting as an independent force, the FBI and DEA were dissolved, and the CIA restructured before being reincorporated into the government. Under the jurisdiction of acting President William Newell, the NSA was purged with military force after it had been revealed it was behind the assassination of 13 prominent government officials, including the previous president Johnathan Seward. Despite military efforts, the NSA was not completely wiped out as the institution assassinated Tesla Johanneson sometime later, a media star who exposed incriminating transcripts fromCyberpunk 2077’s First Central American Conflictin 2003.
It certainly is possible that theFIA could be an institution inCyberpunkwhose founding was built upon sects of the Gang of Four reintegrating themselves back into the American government, using similar tactics to the ones used in the past to carry out the NUSA’s interests. A short story bundled with the Steam version ofCyberpunk 2077titled2AM - She Callsdetails a rumor that the FIA has been attempting to gain political allies in Night City in the year 2071, something that would at least parallel CIA activities.
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Presidents of the NUSA
During the events of the base game, Rosalind Myers is shown to be the second president of the NUSA and serving her third term. Despite having a minor role in the base game, only appearing in a short news report denouncing accusations of prominentCyberpunk 2077corporation Militechbeing involved in the assassination of Saburo Arasaka, she has an active influence over the world at largest, seeing as she is the one who instigated the Unification War in 2069 to reunite former states.
Before taking on the presidency, she served as CEO for Militech to further the interests of both parties. By 2077, opinions on her are divided, with one side claiming she is a militaristic fascist and the other believing her attempts to reunite all the states could be what gets crime in Night City under control.
Involvement with Militech before becoming president was a trend started by Myers' predecessor and founder of the NUSA, Elizabeth Kress. Before taking on the presidency, she was President of Militech until becoming a senator in Colorado in 2011. Kress came into power in April 2019 after her predecessor, former president Blair, died of an illness.
She took her newfound power to reform the shattered US into the NUSA and remained in this position until the 2060s. Although she was a driving force in keeping the NUSA together during the Fourth Corporate War in the 2020s and was known for virtues such as honesty by 2045, many felt that her actions were primarily in service to aid Militech, which is still tied to NUSA under President Myers.
Although it has not been confirmed whetherRosalind Myers will appear inCyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, it would be fascinating to get more direct insight into the workings of the NUSA. Her involvement will no doubt give players far greater insight into the movies and philosophy behind the NUSA and its leaders.
What The NUSA Could Mean For Phantom Liberty’s Plot
Considering that the little known aboutCyberpunk 2077:Phantom Liberty’s plotrevolves around the NUSA contracting V, going as far as making them swear an oath to the nation, it is possible their actions can impact how it operates beyond its borders. If Rosalind Myers has direct involvement with the plot and interacts with V, it could be possible for players to have an impact on the whole NUSA. There is significant potential in what direction different choices make, especially if players can sow the seeds of Night City being reintegrated into the country or fully asserting its independence from the rest of the nation.
Some of the questions fans have will be answered fairly soon as CD Projekt Red has stated more information aboutCyberpunk 2077:Phantom Libertywill be unveiled in June. If it is received well, then the ambitious DLC could help cap off the game’s years-long redemption arc that is back from its disastrous 2020 launch and serve as its perfect swan song.
Cyberpunk 2077is out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. ThePhantom LibertyDLC will come out this year for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
