Before The Witcher 4 launches in 2028, CD Projekt Red is bringing players back to the world of The Witcher 3 for a new expansion. According to CD Projekt Red's official announcement, the expansion titled Songs of the Past will arrive in 2027, arriving alongside a full remaster of the original game scheduled for September 29, 2026. The remaster will be offered as a free update for anyone who purchased the base game in 2015.
The partnership between CD Projekt Red and Fool's Theory, a studio founded by former CD Projekt Red veterans, made this project possible. Marcin Blacha, VP story director at CD Projekt Red, explained the reasoning behind reviving the franchise during this gap in the company's release schedule.
We've had this story in a drawer for many years. Of course, we moved on to Cyberpunk 2077 and now The Witcher 4, as well as our other projects. But because we knew The Witcher 4 would take time, we saw a gap in our release calendar where Songs of the Past could go. Thankfully, we were able to find the right partner to help execute it.
How does this fit after Blood and Wine?
The 2016 expansion Blood and Wine appeared to provide a definitive ending to Geralt's journey, with the legendary monster slayer retiring to a peaceful life on his vineyard estate in Toussaint after decades of monster hunting. Bringing the character back presented a narrative challenge that the development team addressed directly. Blacha acknowledged this concern and revealed the mechanism that draws Geralt from retirement.
Geralt retired in Toussaint – but then his best friend comes calling. I don't think many of us would turn down that request.
The catalyst for Geralt's return involves Dandelion, the charismatic bard and longtime companion, who summons the witcher to his homeland of Letten. This seemingly peaceful region, characterized by abundant harvests and festive celebrations, conceals darker forces beneath its idyllic surface.
What approach is the expansion taking?
The development team deliberately chose to return to the thematic foundations of The Witcher series rather than pursue new directions. Blacha described the creative philosophy guiding the expansion's design.
It's been exciting, and nostalgic. We spent so long with Geralt, but have also learned a lot in the 10-plus years we've been away from him. With Songs of the Past, we really wanted to return to The Witcher's roots. That meant drawing on old beliefs and folklore, revisiting landscapes inspired by Poland's history and countryside, and staying true to the series' tradition of difficult dilemmas. Going back to all of this has been a pleasure.
The expansion maintains focus on the aging witcher players have known for over a decade, rather than shifting to Ciri, who will serve as the protagonist of The Witcher 4. The narrative features returning voice actors Doug Cockle and John Schwab, who reprise their roles as Geralt and Dandelion respectively, ensuring continuity with the original performances.
What new gameplay features are included?
CD Projekt Red has introduced several mechanical enhancements to refresh the combat experience. Geralt's skill trees have been expanded and refined, and he now wields a chain weapon alongside his traditional steel and silver swords. The development team has also created new DNA-modifying mutagens that allow players to alter Geralt's biology and adjust his supernatural abilities accordingly.
According to reporting from August 26, 2026, the expansion will be available across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Players can already add Songs of the Past to their wishlists on select platforms in preparation for its 2027 release.
What is the timeline for releases?
The remastered version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will launch on September 29, 2026, providing enhanced visuals and performance improvements for the decade-old title. CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Songs of the Past will follow in 2027, though the company has not yet announced a specific release date within that year. The expansion remains available to wishlist ahead of its eventual launch.
The decision to bring Geralt out of retirement carries inherent risk for a franchise that had already reached a satisfying conclusion. Yet when the witcher's medallion begins to hum with danger, the White Wolf remains compelled to answer the call once more.
