Night City. A sprawling metropolis of neon, chrome, and deeply complex characters. Few embody this complexity quite like Kerry Eurodyne, the rockstar legend from Johnny Silverhand's band, Samurai. For many players diving into the gritty world of Cyberpunk 2077, Kerry's character, particularly his romantic path, has been a source of fascination and, at times, a little confusion. Is he gay or bisexual? Why does he only romance a masculine V? Let's peel back the layers and uncover the true nature of one of Night City's most iconic figures.
If your introduction to Kerry was solely through Cyberpunk 2077, you might have naturally assumed he was gay. After all, the game positions him as the primary male-presenting romance option exclusively for players embodying a masculine V, both in body and voice. There's even a fleeting mention of a past wife, which Johnny Silverhand's reaction might lead you to believe was a mere youthful phase or a front. However, official lore and developer insights paint a much clearer picture: Kerry Eurodyne is canonically bisexual.
'Honestly, we still consider Kerry to be bisexual.' - R. Talsorian Games, original creators of the Cyberpunk tabletop RPG world.
This statement, coupled with explanations from CD Projekt Red's Lead Quest Designer, Paweł Sasko, confirms that Kerry's romantic preferences extend beyond a single gender. Sasko clarified that while Kerry is indeed bisexual, a feminine V simply "isn't his type." This isn't a retcon or an oversight; it's a deliberate character choice, designed to avoid making every romanceable character "playersexual"—a common trope in games where characters magically become attracted to whatever gender the player chooses.
Understanding Kerry's specific preferences requires a deeper look into how Cyberpunk 2077 handles romance options for V. Unlike many RPGs that simplify character attraction to a binary "male" or "female" player avatar, Night City introduces a nuanced system based on V's body type and voice tone. This means your visual appearance and how your character sounds profoundly influence who you can connect with on a romantic level.
Here's a quick breakdown of how V's attributes align with the game's major romance options:
So, while the game's core gender choices might seem straightforward, the romance paths introduce layers of specific compatibility. Kerry's requirement for a masculine V (both body and voice) is a consistent design choice within this system, even if it led to initial assumptions about his overall sexual orientation.
The gaming industry has grappled with the portrayal of diverse sexualities for years. The "playersexual" trope—where a character's attraction is solely dictated by the player's gender—often leads to a flattening of character depth. It can inadvertently suggest that a character's sexuality is fluid to the point of convenience, rather than an inherent aspect of their personality. Developers like CD Projekt Red, by making specific characters have specific "types" or preferences, are attempting to craft more authentic and less "service-oriented" romantic interests.
Bisexuality, in particular, has often been misrepresented in media, frequently portrayed as promiscuity, indecision, or a mere stepping stone to being exclusively gay or straight. By firmly stating Kerry's bisexuality while maintaining his specific preference for a masculine V, the developers underline that bisexuality doesn't mean attraction to everyone in equal measure, nor does it negate specific romantic or physical "types." Just like heterosexual or homosexual individuals, bisexual people have preferences, tastes, and specific attractions.
The initial confusion surrounding Kerry Eurodyne highlights a fascinating tension in video game development: the balance between deep, established character lore and practical in-game mechanics. For players unfamiliar with the broader Cyberpunk lore (established by R. Talsorian Games), the in-game experience might have been their only reference point. The immediate observation that Kerry only romanced a male V naturally led to the conclusion he was gay.
However, the original tabletop role-playing game universe that Cyberpunk 2077 is built upon often features richer character backstories and sexual fluidity that can't always be perfectly translated into every interactive gameplay moment. The clarification from both the original creators (with Mike Pondsmith's involvement) and CD Projekt Red helps bridge this gap, asserting that Kerry's bisexuality is, and always has been, canon, even if the game's mechanics focus on a specific facet of his attraction for the player character.
For many players, especially those from the LGBTQ+ community, authentic representation in video games is paramount. It's not just about ticking a box; it's about seeing oneself reflected in compelling narratives and diverse characters. While Cyberpunk 2077 has had its share of challenges since launch, its commitment to portraying a world where gender and sexuality are fluid and complex—even if imperfectly executed at times—is commendable.
Kerry Eurodyne stands as a testament to this complexity. He is not merely a "gay option" for male V players; he is a fully fleshed-out bisexual character with a history, preferences, and a distinctive personality that resonates deeply with players. His story invites us to think beyond simple categories and appreciate the nuances of attraction, even in a world as chaotic and unyielding as Night City.
Ultimately, Kerry Eurodyne's narrative is a reminder that identity is multifaceted. His bisexuality isn't a trivial detail; it's an integral part of who he is, enriching the tapestry of Night City's characters and prompting important conversations about how games portray the rich spectrum of human sexuality.