The narrative for The Witcher 3's upcoming expansion, "Songs of the Past," was originally conceived by CD Projekt Red writers years ago, according to Jakub Rokosz, CEO of Fool's Theory, the studio co-developing the content. This new expansion, set to launch approximately 11 years after the base game, introduces players to the serene region of Letten. However, this apparent tranquility is disrupted when Geralt's friend, the bard Dandelion, goes missing, drawing Geralt into a mystery that quickly escalates into a task befitting a Witcher.
In "Songs of the Past," players will gain insight into Dandelion's family and his upbringing through his ancestral estate. Early glimpses suggest that the expansion will maintain the sharp writing, engaging cutscene direction, and nuanced characterization expected from CD Projekt Red.
Fool's Theory, founded in 2015, has previously contributed to "The Thaumaturge" and supported development on "Divinity: Original Sin 2" and the "Silent Hill 2" remake. Rokosz explained that the story for "Songs of the Past" is entirely original, not directly adapted from Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher novels. The initial concept was developed by Ola Motyka and Philip Weber during their work on the base game. "They had to put it aside for various reasons - stars had to align, Fool's Theory had to grow, and so on," Rokosz stated. The concept resurfaced years later, allowing Fool's Theory to expand upon it.
While the story is original, the team draws inspiration from Sapkowski's books, particularly concerning the deep bond between Geralt and Dandelion. Despoina Anetaki, a senior quest designer at CD Projekt Red, noted that the base game had limited space to explore this relationship due to its focus on Geralt's connection with Ciri. This expansion offers a prime opportunity to flesh out Dandelion's character, allowing for deeper exploration of his personality and his philosophical conversations with Geralt, mirroring elements found in the books.
Rokosz highlighted Dandelion's role as a foil to Geralt, providing a lighthearted yet thoughtful counterpoint to the Witcher's stoic seriousness. "The Witcher is all about morality and grey areas," Rokosz commented, emphasizing the expansion's focus on how Dandelion complements Geralt within these complex themes.
The scope of "Songs of the Past" is anticipated to be comparable to the "Blood and Wine" expansion, which offered around 15 hours of content for its main questline. This suggests ample time to explore Dandelion's character and his dynamic with Geralt. Rokosz described Dandelion as a beloved character, appreciated for his blend of comedic relief and underlying depth, whose loyalty to Geralt merits his own dedicated narrative.
Anetaki added that this focus on Dandelion distinguishes "Songs of the Past" from other expansions, noting its thematic resonance with the base game's emphasis on family, albeit explored from a different perspective. Rokosz further suggested that the expansion aims to explore a "bromance" between Geralt and Dandelion, a dynamic not extensively featured in previous Witcher titles. "Songs of the Past" is slated for release in 2027.