Ethan Crossfield 
CD Projekt Red has quietly raised the price of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt from $39.99 to $49.99, just one month before its remaster is scheduled to arrive. The increase affects the game across platforms, although players still have access to a cheaper Complete Edition deal on GOG.
What happened to The Witcher 3's price?
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is now listed at $49.99, up from its previous $39.99 price. CD Projekt Red did not publicly announce the change, but players noticed the new price before the game's upgraded version launches on September 29.
The remaster will be delivered as a free update to anyone who has purchased The Witcher 3. Its improvements include visual upgrades, redesigned menus and skill-tree elements, as well as gameplay balance changes. That means existing owners will not need to buy the remastered version separately.
The current package also includes Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine at no additional cost. Both expansions originally required an expansion pass priced at $25, while the base game launched in 2015 with a $59.99 MSRP. The new $49.99 price therefore remains below the original combined cost of the game and its major expansions.
Why the increase matters for players
A $10 increase is modest compared with the amount of content in The Witcher 3, but its timing makes the decision more noticeable. The price changed shortly after CD Projekt Red revealed the remaster at Gamescom Opening Night Live, giving new players an immediate reason to compare the standard price with available discounts.
For players who have never entered the world of Geralt of Rivia, the package remains a substantial single-player proposition. The acclaimed role-playing game earned multiple Game of the Year honors after its release and was later expanded with two paid additions. Those expansions are now part of the standard offering, strengthening the value of the complete package even after the increase.
The clearest alternative is currently on GOG, where The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition is available for $24.99. That is a 50% discount from the new $49.99 MSRP and gives prospective players a way to begin ahead of the remaster without paying the higher standard price.
What to watch next
The remaster's September 29 launch will show whether the price adjustment has any lasting effect on new-player interest. Because the upgrade is free for previous owners, the main commercial question is how many newcomers decide to purchase before or after the update rather than waiting for another sale.
CD Projekt Red is also continuing work on The Witcher 4 and is preparing The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past, described in the source material as a final hunt for Geralt. The expansion is expected to add new romance options and take players to the Letten region. With The Witcher 4 slated for 2028, The Witcher 3 remains an important way for the studio to keep attention on the franchise.
Key takeaways for players
- The standard price has increased from $39.99 to $49.99.
- The remaster arrives on September 29 as a free update for previous owners.
- The update includes visual improvements, menu and skill-tree reworks, and balance changes.
- Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are included in the current package.
- The Complete Edition is currently $24.99 on GOG, half of the new MSRP.
The Witcher 3 price comparison
| Edition or purchase | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Original base-game MSRP at launch | $59.99 | Base game only |
| Original expansion pass | $25 | Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine |
| Previous current price | $39.99 | The Witcher 3 package |
| New current MSRP | $49.99 | The Witcher 3 package with both expansions |
| GOG Complete Edition sale | $24.99 | Complete Edition at 50% off |
Expert View
The price hike is unlikely to undermine The Witcher 3's value, but it is a poor-looking move so close to a major free update. Players who buy at full price still receive an enormous amount of content, yet the GOG discount is the more player-friendly option and makes the new MSRP difficult to justify today. CD Projekt Red would have had a cleaner message by pairing the remaster announcement with a transparent explanation of the pricing change.
