
Cyberpunk 2077 immerses players in a richly detailed world, filled with intricate lore that brings Night City to life. One particularly fascinating way to discover the history of this cyberpunk universe is through the collectible Data Shards. These digital items—comprising texts, images, audio clips, and maps—are scattered throughout the game, each revealing a piece of the narrative. Among them, one Data Shard stands out and may serve as a foundation for the upcoming sequel, Project Orion.
One intriguing Data Shard invites players with the message, “Looking for a career change? Join NetWatch!” This shard presents a standard job recruitment advertisement that details what a position as a NetWatch agent entails. Given that Project Orion is expected to build on the innovations of its forerunner, there’s potential for players to engage with this career offer, turning a casual find into an active storyline.
Exploring the Potential of NetWatch in Project Orion





Locations of NetWatch Data Shards in Cyberpunk 2077
- V’s desk on the 33rd floor of Arasaka Tower during the Corpo-Rat prologue.
- Located upstairs at El Coyote Cojo.
- Found on the bar counter inside The Afterlife.
- In Yuca during the Nomad prologue of the game.
Currently, discovering this Data Shard presents a captivating aspect of the game’s lore. However, the allure would increase significantly if players could pursue the offer made on the shard. Whether Project Orion revisits V as the protagonist or introduces a new character, the opportunity to become a NetWatch agent would represent a genuinely engaging career path.
NetWatch’s primary mission involves preventing unauthorized access to the Blackwall barrier, ensuring that rogue AIs remain contained. This aspect of the organization could lead to a complex narrative rich with ethical considerations concerning digital security and information control.
One of the major critiques following the initial release of Cyberpunk 2077 was the rather uninspired life paths. While the game has made significant strides since its rocky launch, the concept of life paths scarcely scratches the surface of what could be possible. Each of the three initial life paths—Nomad, Street Kid, and Corpo—primarily altered the prologue without substantial impact on the overall gameplay. To rectify previous shortcomings, introducing a broader variety of engaging life paths in Project Orion would be a logical step forward. Additional roles, such as Ripperdocs, NCPD officers, and Rockers, could further enhance the diversity of player experiences.
Joining NetWatch: A Path to Organizational Insights
The variety of factions within Night City contributes significantly to its vibrant atmosphere, with NetWatch standing out as a particularly intriguing group. The role of this cyber policing entity offers a unique opportunity to explore the moral nuances surrounding cybersecurity and censorship. Depending on one’s perspective, NetWatch can either be seen as a guardian of society or as an obstacle to transparency. Actively participating in their mission would provide a layered role-playing experience.
Looking Ahead: Project Orion and the Future of Night City
Five years post-launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has made substantial improvements, particularly with the inclusion of the Phantom Liberty DLC. With CD Projekt Red now benefiting from its earlier challenges, anticipation builds around how they will evolve the narrative in Project Orion.
The invitation to join NetWatch highlighted on the Data Shard could serve as an exciting narrative thread in the sequel. As development continues, expanding the game’s universe through enriched life paths and deeper faction involvement will be crucial to elevating the overall gaming experience.
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