Ethan Crossfield 
A decade after The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt first established itself as one of gaming’s biggest open-world RPGs, CD Projekt Red is preparing a substantial new release for returning players. During Gamescom Opening Night Live, the studio confirmed that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered will launch on September 29 as a free update, bringing technical improvements, system changes, and the game’s major expansions into the package.
A major update for a long-running RPG
The Witcher 3 debuted in May 2015 as the final main chapter of Geralt of Rivia’s story. Since then, CD Projekt Red has supported the game with free content updates and two paid expansions: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. The remastered release will include the base game and both expansions rather than treating them as separate purchases.
The update arrives more than 11 years after the original game reached stores. That longevity is reflected in its commercial performance: CD Projekt Red said in a quarterly earnings report that The Witcher 3 has sold more than 65 million units worldwide across multiple platforms.
What the September 29 release changes
The remaster will add graphical upgrades and new features across multiple platforms. CD Projekt Red has confirmed improved menu navigation and a redesigned skill tree, giving players a refreshed way to manage Geralt’s progression.
Combat encounters are also set for balance changes involving monster behavior. The adjustments could make encounters with the creatures of the Northern Realms less predictable, although the source does not detail every change. Technical support includes Nvidia DLSS 4.5 and AMD FSR 4 upscaling, while cross-platform mod support is also planned.
The release will be available on Nintendo Switch 2 and through Blizzard’s Battle.net storefront. It will also be part of the Xbox Play Anywhere program, with additional platform-specific changes planned for PS5 Pro and Switch 2. CD Projekt Red has not confirmed whether the Switch 2 edition will use DLSS in the same way as Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition.
The next chapter for Geralt and the wider franchise
The presentation also offered a brief look at Songs of the Past, described as The Witcher 3’s third expansion. The story will send Geralt to Letten, a region shaped by folklore and festivals but threatened by a hidden darkness. The expansion is positioned as Geralt’s final hunt before the franchise shifts focus to Ciri, who will lead The Witcher 4.
CD Projekt Red also confirmed an upcoming Witcher 3-themed addition for Diablo 4. Blizzard is expected to reveal more about that crossover during BlizzCon on September 12 and 13. No further details about the Diablo 4 content were provided.
Key points
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered launches on September 29 as a free update.
- The base game, Hearts of Stone, and Blood and Wine are included.
- Features include visual upgrades, menu and skill-tree changes, monster balance updates, and modern upscaling support.
- Songs of the Past and a future Diablo 4 crossover expand the franchise’s next phase.
Confirmed remaster details
| Category | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Release | September 29 |
| Cost | Free update for The Witcher 3 |
| Included content | Base game, Hearts of Stone, and Blood and Wine |
| New features | Graphical upgrades, improved menus, revised skill tree, monster balance changes, and cross-platform mod support |
| Additional availability | Nintendo Switch 2, Battle.net, and Xbox Play Anywhere |
Expert View
The remaster shows how CD Projekt Red is extending the commercial life of a proven single-player release while preparing the franchise for its next lead character. Making the update free lowers the barrier for the existing community, while Battle.net and Switch 2 availability broaden the game’s reach. The expanded technical support and mod compatibility should also give the community new reasons to revisit the Northern Realms, even as attention gradually moves toward Ciri and The Witcher 4.
