The Witcher 3 remaster launches on 29 September as a free upgrade

CD Projekt Red has announced a major remaster of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, set to launch on 29 September. The announcement was made during Gamescom Opening Night Live, where the studio revealed that the revamped role-playing game will include both of the original expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.

The remaster will be available as a free upgrade for players who already own The Witcher 3. The offer will also extend to players who purchased the original Nintendo Switch version, giving them access to a free upgrade for Nintendo Switch 2. The move gives existing players a way to experience the updated game without buying another copy.

The Witcher 3 receives visual and gameplay improvements

The updated release will bring a range of visual improvements designed to make The Witcher 3 look more modern on current hardware. While the original game remains widely regarded for its detailed environments and large open world, CD Projekt Red is using the remaster to make broader changes rather than simply increasing graphical quality.

The studio is also revising several core gameplay systems. The skill tree has been redesigned, while combat is receiving adjustments to make encounters feel more responsive. Changes include updates to the camera and targeting systems, along with new finishing moves intended to add variety to combat.

Movement and traversal have also been refined. Geralt is expected to move more smoothly through the game’s world, while changes to mount handling should make travelling across the open world more consistent. The horse Roach, known among players for occasional unusual behaviour and glitches, will also return as part of the updated experience.

These changes position the remaster as more than a visual upgrade. By modifying progression, combat and movement, CD Projekt Red is revisiting several systems that have been part of The Witcher 3 since its original release. The approach could make the game more accessible to new players while offering returning players a reason to revisit the adventure.

New expansion keeps the decade-old RPG active

The remaster announcement also comes as CD Projekt Red continues to expand the amount of new content planned for The Witcher 3. Earlier this year, the studio announced a third downloadable expansion called Songs of the Past, which is scheduled to arrive next year.

A short gameplay teaser for the upcoming expansion was shown during Gamescom as a follow-up to the remaster announcement. The project represents an unusual continuation for a game more than a decade old, particularly as the developer is also working toward the next mainline entry in The Witcher series.

The decision to continue supporting The Witcher 3 could give long-time fans additional content while they wait for the franchise’s next major instalment. The next proper sequel is not expected until at least 2028, meaning players could spend several years with the remastered game and its new expansion before the series moves forward.

CD Projekt Red is also working on a modern remake of the original The Witcher game. That project is intended to bring the first game in the series to modern standards, giving the developer another opportunity to revisit the franchise’s earlier history while continuing development of its future.

For fans, the combination of a remastered The Witcher 3, a new expansion and a remake of the original game means the franchise is set to remain active across several releases. The 29 September launch will provide the first major update, and existing owners can access the enhanced version without paying an additional upgrade fee.

The remaster could therefore serve as a bridge between the franchise’s past and future. It preserves the content that helped establish The Witcher 3 as one of the most recognised fantasy RPGs while introducing changes to bring its systems and presentation closer to modern expectations.