CD Projekt Red delivered a stunning double announcement at gamescom 2026, revealing both a comprehensive remaster of their beloved open-world RPG and an unexpected new expansion that will continue Geralt of Rivia’s adventures. The Polish developer showcased brand-new footage during Opening Night Live, catching fans off guard with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered, which arrives next month, followed by the Songs of the Past DLC scheduled for 2027. This marks a remarkable return to a game that originally launched over eleven years ago and has since become one of the most celebrated RPGs in gaming history.
The announcement represents CD Projekt Red’s continued commitment to their flagship franchise, which has sold over 50 million copies worldwide since its initial release in May 2015. The original Witcher 3 earned numerous Game of the Year awards and is widely credited with setting new standards for open-world storytelling, quest design, and player choice in role-playing games. The decision to release substantial new content more than a decade after launch demonstrates the enduring popularity of Geralt’s world and the developer’s willingness to invest in their legacy titles alongside new projects like The Witcher 4.
Comprehensive Visual and Gameplay Overhaul
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered brings a sweeping array of improvements that touch nearly every aspect of the original experience. Visual enhancements include updated textures throughout the game world, new lighting systems that transform the atmosphere of the Northern Kingdoms, and improved foliage shading that adds depth to the game’s lush forests and rural landscapes. Combat receives significant attention with enhanced fighting mechanics and more visceral finishers, addressing one of the few criticisms leveled at the original release. Movement has been refined across the board, including notable improvements to horseback riding with Roach, Geralt’s faithful mount whose occasional quirky behavior became something of a beloved meme among players.
Beyond the surface-level improvements, CD Projekt Red has implemented deeper systemic changes that modernize the gameplay experience. Monster behaviors have been enhanced to provide more challenging and realistic encounters, while a completely revamped skill tree offers players new ways to customize Geralt’s abilities. The addition of transmogrification allows players to change the appearance of their armor and weapons while retaining stats, a feature that modern RPG audiences have come to expect. Quality-of-life improvements include new quest tracking systems, immersive meditation mechanics, comprehensive UI updates, and expanded photo mode capabilities for capturing the enhanced visuals.
Cross-Platform Support and Free Upgrade Policy
In a consumer-friendly move that echoes their previous approach with the 2022 next-gen update, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered will be completely free for existing owners of the game. The remaster includes both major expansions, Blood and Wine and Hearts of Stone, which were originally sold separately and collectively added dozens of hours of content to the base game. Perhaps most generously, players who own only the base game will now receive both DLC expansions at no additional cost, rewarding patient fans who held off on purchasing the additional content.
The remaster launches on September 29th, 2026, across PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. Technical features include PlayStation 5 Pro support for Sony’s enhanced console, Xbox Play Anywhere functionality for Microsoft’s ecosystem, and exclusive features tailored for Nintendo’s newest hardware. Cross-platform mod support opens exciting possibilities for the game’s active modding community, potentially allowing custom content to be shared across different platforms for the first time in the franchise’s history.
Songs of the Past: A New Chapter in Geralt’s Story
The Songs of the Past expansion takes Geralt to Letten, an entirely new region described as an idyllic land rich in rural tradition and folklore. CD Projekt Red paints a picture of a seemingly peaceful society where people enjoy bountiful harvests and lavish festivals, living a fulfilling agricultural life. However, true to The Witcher’s narrative traditions, darkness lurks beneath this pastoral surface. A long-dormant evil threatens Letten’s way of life, and Geralt must once again take up his silver sword to confront threats that the common folk cannot face alone.
The DLC represents CD Projekt Red’s first major story content for The Witcher 3 since Blood and Wine released in 2016, which concluded Geralt’s journey with an emotionally resonant finale in the wine-producing region of Toussaint. The decision to continue the story after such a definitive ending surprised many fans, though the teaser footage suggests Songs of the Past may explore events from earlier in the timeline or approach the narrative from an unexpected angle. The expansion is being co-developed with Fool’s Theory, a studio founded by former CD Projekt Red developers who worked on the original Witcher games.
Development Partners and Future Outlook
CD Projekt Red has enlisted external development partners for both projects, demonstrating a strategic approach to managing their expanding portfolio. Fool’s Theory brings considerable Witcher expertise to Songs of the Past, while Yigsoft has been tapped to co-develop the Remastered edition. This collaborative model allows CD Projekt Red to continue work on The Witcher 4 and their other announced projects while still delivering substantial content for their existing catalog. The Polish developer has previously stated their intention to release multiple Witcher projects over the coming years, suggesting a bright future for fans of Andrzej Sapkowski’s literary creation.
The timing of these announcements positions The Witcher franchise prominently in the gaming landscape heading into late 2026 and 2027. With the continued success of Netflix’s Witcher television series keeping the property in mainstream consciousness, and anticipation building for the next mainline entry in the game series, these releases serve to maintain engagement with the franchise while introducing Geralt’s world to new audiences who may be experiencing it for the first time on modern hardware.
Expert Opinion: CD Projekt Red’s decision to release a comprehensive remaster alongside new story content represents a masterclass in franchise management, maintaining relevance for an eleven-year-old title while generating renewed interest ahead of The Witcher 4. The free upgrade policy, combined with previously paid DLC becoming complimentary, demonstrates a rare player-first approach that will likely generate substantial goodwill and attract new players to the franchise at a crucial moment in its evolution.