The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is getting a next-gen update on December 14, and publisher CD Projekt Red has detailed all the improvements in the update. Revealed during a REDstreams live stream on Wednesday night, a group of developers described improved visuals with ray tracing, faster loading times on console, a photo mode and new Netflix DLC based on Netflix’s Henry Cavill-directed series The Witcher. The update will be available as a free download for those who already own The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.
The update will use AMD’s FSR 2.1 technology and Nvidia’s DLSS 3 technology to ensure stable frame rates while implementing better textures, reflections and ray tracing in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. CD Projekt Red has confirmed that new graphics settings will be included in the update, allowing PS5 and Xbox Series S/X players to choose between 60fps performance and 30fps quality modes. The latter prioritizes visual fidelity over smoother images, offering ray-traced shadows and reflections on the game released in 2015. Haptic feedback has been added to the PS5 version, creating a vibration effect when clash of swords or casting spells in the game.
On PC, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s next-gen update adds similar visual improvements, with a photo mode and over-the-shoulder camera angle, reminiscent of God of War (2018). Although briefly presented, Photo Mode options resemble those of Cyberpunk 2077, allowing you to tinker with camera angles, depth of field, effects, and overlays. Cross-progression between platforms is also included in the upcoming update, so you can defer saves no matter what system you’re playing on.
As for content inspired by Netflix’s long-promised The Witcher series, players will have access to a new questline. Completing the same will yield gear inspired by Cavill’s portrayal in the series, in addition to optional costumes for Princess Ciri, the Witch Yennefer, Tris the Red Mage, Dandelion the Bard, and Nilfgaardian Soldiers. Meanwhile, the Netflix series was recently renewed for a fourth season, but without Cavill. After three seasons playing the Geralt of Rivia, the main star left the role, paving the way for Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games films) to take over.
Some quality of life improvements are also expected to arrive with The Witcher 3’s next-gen update. Taking inspiration from open-world titles such as Elden Ring and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, CD Projekt Red is adding a new filter setting that removes pesky question marks from the map. This creates a more immersive experience and adds a level of curiosity when exploring the continent. With this update, players should be able to encounter events on the fly, naturally, instead of treating them like a to-do list. When riding your trusty Roach steed or simply exploring the map for long periods of time, the minimap and other HUD elements will now disappear. In a similar effect, you can now pause during cutscenes.
Next-gen versions of The Witcher 3 were originally slated for a 2021 launch, but have been delayed twice, with third-party studio Saber Interactive handling development in 2021. A separate physical CD release is also planned for later. . Last month, the publisher confirmed a remake for its original The Witcher game released in 2007, which is built from the ground up using Unreal Engine 5. The title was first announced as cryptic, “Canis Majoris”, during a business strategy. stream in October, alongside three new entries to the franchise.
The next-gen update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will be released on December 14 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.
Tech
