Cyberpunk 2077 is based on a tabletop RPG called Cyberpunk 2020, and while there are plenty of differences, the somewhat ambiguous ‘Cool’ stat was taken straight from the source material.

But what does the Cool stat actually do? Cyberpunk 2020 creator Mike Pondsmith tells me it’s not just about how cool your character is, but also how well they can keep cool under pressure.

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“Most gun fights end because someone loses it and can't keep it together,” Pondsmith said, which he learned from speaking with a friend in the Rangers. “I wanted to get that sense of you project that you're together, you can keep it together.”

He went on to explain that “everything you've got is a statement,” and that while style is still important, how you carry yourself is too. “You’re wearing your big-ass armored jacket and you’re carrying your big-ass weapons, but it’s not just that. It’s that you looked badass doing it, and that people give you some respect on the street.”

“ I’m sure it won’t be long after release before we see an all Cool speedrun.

Pondsmith also said that Cool isn’t just the Cyberpunk version of the more traditional RPG stat Charisma. “You can have a tremendous amount of cool and have very little charisma,” Pondsmith explained. Basically, there’s a difference between talking your way out of situations and just throwing off a vibe that commands respect.

As for Cool in Cyberpunk 2077, Pondsmith likened it to how CD Projekt has also adapted 2020’s Lifepath system. “They are all things that basically and subtly influence how people will see and perceive your character.”

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Pondsmith says he believes it will also influence dialogue options, but didn’t share specific details on that. He spoke about the idea that people who might otherwise draw weapons on you when you walk in the door would not want to mess with a particularly cool character.

Unsurprisingly, when Cyberpunk 2020 first came out, Cool is similarly talked about. “People joked about [Cool]. At first, everybody built their Cool up.” It’s no different now with 2077, and I’m sure it won’t be long after release before we see an all Cool speedrun.

For more Cyberpunk 2077, read my first-hand impressions here , some more gameplay details here , or about CD Projekt’s response to the first-person backlash here You can preorder Cyberpunk 2077 today on Amazon

Tom Marks is IGN's PC Editor and pie maker. You can follow him on Twitter