Cologne, Germany, 26 August (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – CD Projekt Red has announced that The Witcher 3 remaster will launch on 29 September 2026 as a free upgrade for existing owners on qualifying platforms, alongside a fresh look at the upcoming paid expansion Songs of the Past. The announcements were presented during Gamescom Opening Night Live.
The Witcher 3 remaster brings major upgrades
Officially titled The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered, the new version will be released for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. CD Projekt Red is also bringing a native version to Nintendo Switch 2, while the game will make its debut on Battle.net through a partnership with Blizzard Entertainment.
The Polish developer says the remaster introduces extensive improvements to visuals, performance and gameplay. Changes include upgraded textures and lighting, improved ray tracing, enhanced combat, revised movement and traversal, revamped horse handling and changes to monster behaviour.
Players can also expect a reworked skill tree, transmogrification, expanded photo mode, additional finishers and updated Witcher sign effects.
Existing owners on eligible platforms will receive the upgrade without an additional charge. CD Projekt Red has also made the game’s previous expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, available to current owners at no additional cost.
Songs of the Past takes Geralt to Letten
The Gamescom presentation also provided the first substantial look at Songs of the Past, the third expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Scheduled for 2027, the paid expansion will take Geralt of Rivia to Letten, a new region portrayed as a peaceful land of rural traditions, festivals and prosperous harvests. Beneath that appearance, however, CD Projekt Red says a long-dormant threat awaits Geralt.
The expansion introduces previously unseen monsters, new mutagens and a chain weapon. Geralt travels to Letten with Dandelion, whose personal connection to the region forms part of the new storyline. Songs of the Past is being co-developed by CD Projekt Red and Fool’s Theory.
CD Projekt Red details Geralt’s return
In its official announcement, CD Projekt Red said the remastered edition would deliver “upgrades and enhancements to visuals, performance, gameplay, and more” while bringing the acclaimed role-playing game to additional platforms.
The studio confirmed that Songs of the Past will launch in 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. The expansion is already available to wishlist on selected platforms.
A new chapter for the 2015 RPG
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt originally launched in 2015 and follows monster hunter Geralt as he searches for Ciri. According to CD Projekt Red, the game has now sold more than 65 million copies worldwide and received more than 250 Game of the Year awards.
The The Witcher 3 remaster represents another significant technical update after the previous current-generation upgrade released years after the original game.
Why the announcement matters for players
For existing players, the free upgrade provides another route back into Geralt’s story before the new expansion arrives. Making the original two expansions available without an additional charge also gives base-game owners access to the existing major story content.
The new release simultaneously extends the game’s reach through Nintendo Switch 2 and Battle.net, more than a decade after its original debut.
What happens next?
The remastered edition is confirmed for release on 29 September 2026. CD Projekt Red is showcasing both the upgrade and Songs of the Past during Gamescom and has said further information about Geralt’s new adventure will be shared later.
Songs of the Past remains scheduled for 2027, although CD Projekt Red has not announced a specific release date.
