CD Projekt Red has revealed a comprehensive remaster of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, set to launch on September 29, 2026. This significant update will be a free upgrade for all existing owners of the game. Alongside the remaster, the original two story expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, have also been made free for all base game owners.
The remaster aims to bring The Witcher 3 in line with modern gaming standards, with CD Projekt Red executive producer Jakub Kutrzuba stating the goal was to consider how the game would play if it were launching today. "We put a lot of our time into how the game actually plays," Kutrzuba explained. "So, the animation system, the camera work, small quality of life improvements, accessibility changes, enemy behaviour in combat, maybe the pathfinding for the roads, etcetera—these are areas of the game which we know could cause some frustration here and there."
CDPR has confirmed numerous changes within the remaster. These include enhancements to the animation system, camera work, and accessibility features, alongside adjustments to combat mechanics and enemy AI. The game will also feature improved traversal and movement, revamped mount handling, and new combat finishers. Players can look forward to a skill tree revamp and armor transmogrification, allowing for greater customization. Other quality-of-life improvements cover UI enhancements, a looting rework, and modernized tutorials.
Visually, the remaster will incorporate advanced graphics technology, such as ray tracing improvements, global lighting rework, and updated textures. New graphical features listed include HDR improvements, GTAO, improved motion blur, foliage shading rework, and subsurface scattering. The game will also feature path tracing on PC and ray reconstruction.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered will replace the current "Complete Edition" on digital storefronts upon its release. The update also brings cross-platform mod support, enhanced photo mode, and new accessibility features. Technical additions include PlayStation 5 Pro support, Xbox Play Anywhere functionality, and Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive features, alongside support for Nvidia DLSS 4.5, AMD FSR 4, and Intel XESS 2.0.
CD Projekt Red stated that many of these changes were made without rebuilding the game from scratch, focusing on smoother gameplay and removing immersion breakers. "The game just plays smoother, you know? There's no immersion-breakers anymore, I would say," Kutrzuba commented.