CD Projekt Red never contemplated charging existing owners for the upcoming remastered edition of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The game's co-CEO, Michał Nowakowski, confirmed that the decision to provide the enhanced version as a free update was a deliberate choice, viewing it as a gift to the player base.
"It was never a question we asked ourselves," Nowakowski stated in an interview with The Game Business. He explained that the remaster, officially titled 'Songs of the Past,' evolved organically from discussions about modernizing the decade-old title. What began as minor improvements grew into a comprehensive overhaul, leading to the realization that a full remaster was underway.
While acknowledging that players might have been willing to purchase a modernized version, especially with the new 'Songs of the Past' expansion on the horizon, Nowakowski reiterated that charging was not considered. The revenue from the game will primarily come from the new expansion, with the remaster serving as a gesture of appreciation for loyal players who already own the base game. This approach aligns with what CD Projekt Red describes as "the CDPR way."
The remaster is set to launch on September 29 and will replace The Witcher 3: Complete Edition on digital storefronts. It promises extensive improvements, including visual enhancements, "enhanced combat" features, new enemy behaviors, a revamped skill tree, and an "immersive meditation" system. Crucially, the remastered edition will also bundle the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions, making them free for players who only own the base game. This generous offering comes as CD Projekt Red reports strong financial performance, with H1 financials showing nearly a 25% increase in revenue compared to the same period in 2025.