One of the most popular video games of the past decade is returning with a new look. CD Projekt Red has announced a remastered version of The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt, with the new release set to arrive on September 29, 2026. The announcement has created fresh excitement around a game that has remained popular more than a decade after its original launch.
The announcement was made during Gamescom in Germany, where the company showed a new trailer for the remaster. CD Projekt Red also gave fans a first look at a new expansion planned for 2027, giving players another reason to return to the world of Geralt of Rivia.
The Witcher 3 first came out in 2015 and quickly became one of the most respected role-playing games in the world. The game follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter who travels through a huge fantasy world filled with wars, magic, political conflict and dangerous creatures.
The original game has sold more than 65 million copies worldwide. It has also won more than 250 Game of the Year awards, making it one of the most successful and widely praised video games ever released.
The new remaster is expected to improve the visual quality of the game and make it better suited to modern gaming systems. While the core adventure will remain familiar to existing players, the updated version is designed to give the classic title a more modern presentation.
Players who already own the base game will not need to purchase the remaster again. CD Projekt Red plans to provide the upgrade for free, giving existing owners a chance to experience the updated version without paying for another copy.
The free upgrade will be available to existing owners across several platforms. These include GOG, Steam, the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. A version will also be released for Nintendo Switch 2, expanding the remaster’s reach to another major gaming platform.
CD Projekt Red has made another important decision regarding the game’s additional content. Existing owners of the base game will also receive the two current expansions for free as part of the remastered package.
This means returning players will have access to a large amount of content without having to pay for a new edition. The decision is unusual in a gaming market where remastered versions are often sold as separate products or as paid upgrades.
The move could also help CD Projekt Red rebuild interest in The Witcher 3 before the next expansion arrives. By making the remaster accessible to existing players and new audiences, the company can bring more attention to the franchise while preparing fans for future content.
The new expansion is called Songs of the Past and is planned for release in 2027. CD Projekt Red has not yet announced an exact release date, but the project could give The Witcher 3 another major moment more than a decade after the original game first appeared.
The company expects the remaster to have a positive effect on its business. Analysts believe the game could increase its installed base to between 70 million and 75 million copies before the new expansion arrives, showing the continued commercial potential of the franchise.
The company is also using the remaster to attract new players. Many gamers who were too young to play the original in 2015 are now older and may be interested in discovering the game for the first time.
The free upgrade could also encourage former players to return. Some fans may have stopped playing years ago, while others may have moved to newer consoles and never experienced the original game on modern hardware.
The announcement comes at an important time for the Witcher franchise. CD Projekt Red is also working on the next main Witcher game, although the company has not yet released it. The remaster gives fans something new to experience while they wait for the wider future of the series.
The Witcher franchise has also grown far beyond video games. The world of Geralt, Ciri and other characters has attracted a large international fan base, while the original books, television adaptations and games have helped turn the series into one of the best-known fantasy brands in modern entertainment.
The Witcher 3 remains at the center of that success. Its huge open world, long story and complex player choices helped change expectations for role-playing games and showed how much freedom could be given to players inside a large fantasy setting.
Players could make decisions that changed relationships, characters and events throughout the story. Those choices helped create different experiences for different players and gave the game a level of replay value that contributed to its long-term popularity.
That design has helped The Witcher 3 remain relevant long after its original release. Even as new games have appeared, players have continued to return to Geralt’s world because of its story, characters, exploration and large amount of content.
The new remaster is therefore not simply another product for longtime fans. It is also an opportunity for a new generation of players to experience one of the biggest and most influential games of its era with updated visuals and modern hardware support.
For CD Projekt Red, the timing is also useful. The company can keep the Witcher brand in the spotlight while continuing development on future projects. Renewed interest in The Witcher 3 could also introduce more players to the wider franchise.
The Witcher 3 remaster will arrive on September 29, 2026. With a free upgrade, existing expansions and a new expansion planned for 2027, the classic game is preparing for another long run in the gaming market.
More than 10 years after its first release, Geralt’s adventure is getting another chance to reach millions of players. For longtime fans, it offers a reason to return, while for new players, it could be an opportunity to discover why The Witcher 3 became one of the most celebrated role-playing games of its generation.
