Case: Immersing Netrunners
Opera GX Live Wallpaper: 24h Timelapse
Imagine opening your browser and instantly stepping into Night City
Opera GX partnered with CD PROJEKT RED to bring Cyberpunk 2077 into the browsing experience, merging the game’s iconic aesthetic with the browser’s functionality.
We served as the bridge between creative vision and technical execution. We connected browser infrastructure, real-time effects, and game assets to create an immersive, customizable environment.
We gave users control while making them feel part of the broader gaming culture. This deepened Opera GX’s connection with Gen Z gamers through key moments in their browsing journey.
The brief
Cook and Becker, an exclusive game-art dealer, asked us to bring CD PROJEKT RED’s original but static artwork to life through Opera GX’s live wallpaper feature.
Approach
We ran two iterative, experimental design sprints in close collaboration with Opera GX and CD PROJEKT RED. In each sprint, we experimented and iterated on bringing Cyberpunk to life in GameMaker, quickly testing ideas while pushing technical boundaries, all while staying true to the game’s visuals and atmosphere.
Discovery
We researched Gen Z gamers, their motivations, behaviors, and needs, and explored the Opera GX ecosystem.
We found that Gen Z views browsing as an extension of their gaming identity. They want complete control over visuals and effects and expect immersion without compromise, even on modest hardware. Early testing helped us identify unfeasible ideas and focus on what was worth experimenting further.
Based on these insights, we built a proof of concept and MVP plan to quickly test ideas in GameMaker, balancing technical feasibility with creative ambition. This included testing shaders for lighting, rain, and vapor effects.
Installation journey
Core Experience
We defined the core experience and the key features to bring Night City to life in the browser:
- Experience: Each new tab immerses users in Night City, turning browsing into a living, interactive environment.
- Key Features:
- Dynamic visuals: Real-time day/night cycles, flying vehicles, and city traffic.
- Customization panel: Users control lighting, intensity, and visual effects.
- Shader-based effects: Atmospheric changes evolve in real time.
Prototyping
We worked in close collaboration with Opera GX and GameMaker to ensure smooth technical integration and performance. Partnering with CD PROJEKT RED, we maintained the authenticity of the Cyberpunk world.
We refined visual details, including dynamic city traffic and lighting effects, while optimizing rendering for seamless performance. Users were given control over visuals and effects, creating a more engaging and personalized experience.
Customization
Delivery & Integration
The final product is a shader-based live wallpaper with a configuration panel that lets users control visuals and effects. Performance was optimized across all devices to maintain immersion, delivering a seamless and engaging browsing experience.
Outcomes & Impact
- 2M+ installs
- Users described it as “a living extension of Cyberpunk 2077.”
- Inspired user-generated content and further collaborations
- Showed how design-driven collaboration can push technical boundaries
Key Takeaways
- Immersive, customizable experiences deepen brand loyalty
- Early prototyping ensures feasibility meets creative ambition
- Narrative framing turns features into stories users want to engage with
- Collaboration across teams drives innovation at the intersection of design and tech