Witcher 3 Free Update Launches in September
CD Projekt Red Steals Gamescom With Witcher 3 Remaster and New Story DLC
CD Projekt Red closed out Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 with a massive double announcement for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The studio officially revealed The Witcher 3 Remastered—launching as a free update on September 29, 2026—alongside a teaser for a brand-new story expansion titled Songs of the Past.
Free Upgrade Drops Next Month
The Witcher 3 Remastered isn't just a minor polish pass. According to details outlined in IGN's live coverage, the September 29 release overhauls core gameplay mechanics across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S: Combat & Movement Overhaul: Re-balanced skill trees, updated stamina systems, and refined horse-handling for Roach. Visual Upgrades: Enhanced ray-tracing integration, upgraded monster textures, and improved foliage rendering. Free for Existing Owners: The entire package, including existing expansions Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, is completely free for current digital and physical owners.
'Songs of the Past' Prepares Geralt for The Witcher 4
While the remaster provides an immediate reason to jump back into Velen, the reveal of Songs of the Past signals CDPR’s return to full narrative expansions. Targeting a 2027 release, level designers confirmed on stage that the expansion follows Geralt on a standalone contract that bridges the gap between The Witcher 3 and Ciri's journey in The Witcher 4. Early footage showed Geralt wielding a brand-new chain-whip weapon, fighting alongside familiar witcher allies.
Out of Sync Take
Over eleven years since its original release, CD Projekt Red is proving that The Witcher 3 remains one of the most lucrative assets in modern gaming. Giving away a complete remaster for free builds immense goodwill right before charging for Songs of the Past next year—a masterclass in building hype and a good will for my wallet.
The Witcher 3 Remastered launches 29 September 2026.