It’s been a while since CD Projekt Red released anything new from Cyberpunk 2077, but that changed today, with the release of a brand-new wallpaper. Most notably, the image, which depicts V on a subway, gives fans their first look at what appear to be the Arasaka Police Service; a fearsome private police force who may appear as enemies in the game.
Who Are the Arasaka Police Service?
The new Cyberpunk 2077 wallpaper shows the game’s protagonist, V, sitting on a subway train. Behind him, heavily-armed soldiers appear to be breaking down the door with a portable ram, while others keep the crowds at bay with heavy weaponry. Although it’s impossible to know exactly who they are, there is one dead giveaway; the collars of their body armour all read “ARASAKA”. For those who don’t know, Arasaka is a mega-corporation in the world of Cyberpunk 2077; one which specialises in banking and corporate security. They also have a dark reputation, with underworld connections to the yakuza.
CD Projekt Red had previously said that Arasaka would be a major mega-corporation in Cyberpunk 2077. However, this is the first time that fans have seen (presumably) members of the corporation’s Police Service. It’s unclear whether the soldiers are members of the Police Service, or just security force contractors. However, given their use of riot shields and portable rams – equipment associated with the police – the former seems more likely. Unlike Night City’s own police, the Arasaka Police Service are an elite private police force. They work for any government or corporation who can afford to hire them.
The Arasaka Police Service maintain stations in various cities around the world, including in Night City. Sometimes, the corporation even offers them free of charge, in order to gain influence over the local government or acquire ownership of land for their manufacturing facilities. In the original source material, the Arasaka America HQ is the tallest building in Night City. The corporation is very likely to play an important role in the upcoming game, most likely as a major enemy faction. After all, Keanu Reeves’ holographic character, Johnny Silverhand, died during an assault on the Arasaka tower…