CD Projekt Red is laying out an ambitious multi-year plan for The Witcher franchise, kicking off this week with the September 29 launch of The Witcher 3 Remastered. The long-awaited re-release, which is free to players who already own the original game, arrives alongside a wave of confirmed projects spanning a 2027 expansion, a new novel from series author Andrzej Sapkowski, and the 2028 debut of The Witcher 4, ensuring that fans of the series have plenty to look forward to over the next several years.
The remaster bundles a range of technical and graphical enhancements, a reimagined skill system, an expanded photo mode, improved combat, and a new transmog feature that lets players customize appearance independently of stats. It marks the first major re-release of the beloved 2015 RPG in nearly a decade, and its timing positions it as the anchor of what CD Projekt Red clearly intends to be a sustained era of Witcher content.
A Remaster With Caveats
The Witcher 3 Remastered ships on September 29, offering existing owners a free upgrade while inviting new players to experience the acclaimed fantasy epic through a modernized lens. The package reworks the skill system, broadens the photo mode, and tightens combat, according to the studio’s own breakdown of the changes.
However, the graphical overhaul has drawn mixed reactions, with some observers noting that the visual changes are not entirely an improvement over the original. Players hoping for a dramatic leap in fidelity may want to review the details before expecting a wholesale visual transformation.
For those wanting the full rundown of what has changed, GameSpot has put together an in-depth breakdown of everything new in the remaster.
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Regardless of the debate over the graphics, the remaster represents a significant milestone for a franchise that has cultivated a devoted global fanbase since its debut, and it serves as the springboard for a broader slate of announced projects.
Songs of the Past and a New Novel
Following the remaster, CD Projekt Red will release Songs of the Past, a new expansion for The Witcher 3 slated for 2027. The project was originally targeting a 2026 launch but was pushed back to give the studio more time to polish the experience to the highest possible standard.
Songs of the Past takes Geralt on what appears to be one last ride before “passing the torch,” sending the witcher to Letten, the home of his bard companion Dandelion. A new main quest titled “A Bed of Thorns” will have Geralt reconnecting with a character named Lilla, who appears to be a potential love interest, adding a fresh emotional thread to the veteran hero’s story.
Meanwhile, the literary side of the franchise is also moving forward. Andrzej Sapkowski, the author who created The Witcher universe, recently told attendees at the Copernicon event in Torun, Poland, that he plans to finish the next entry in the novel series by the end of 2027. As reported by Wiedzminlandia, Sapkowski’s timeline could shift, but the promise of a new Geralt of Rivia story is enough to energize longtime readers.
The Witcher 4 and the Road to 2034
The centerpiece of the studio’s near-term roadmap is The Witcher 4, expected to arrive in 2028. Unlike its predecessors, the game will center on Ciri as the playable protagonist, though Geralt is still set to appear within the story. The shift in focus signals a bold new direction for a series that has long been defined by its silver-haired hero.
Console players should note that The Witcher 4 likely won’t be available on physical disc, following Sony’s decision to end support for physical media. A physical version of some kind is still expected, but the format may differ from traditional game discs.
Looking further ahead, CD Projekt Red previously outlined an ambitious plan to release a new trilogy of Witcher games within a six-year window beginning with The Witcher 4 in 2028. If that schedule holds, fans could see The Witcher 5 and The Witcher 6 launch by the end of 2034. Given the studio’s well-documented tendency to delay major titles, however, that timeline is far from guaranteed.
Projects Beyond the Mainline Games
Beyond the confirmed lineup, CD Projekt Red is believed to be developing a multiplayer Witcher game that has undergone numerous changes over the years without ever being shown publicly. The studio has kept the project under wraps, leaving fans to speculate about its direction and release window.
The studio is also reportedly working with Scopely on a new mobile game based on one of its franchises. While some have assumed the project could be a Witcher title, it remains unconfirmed, with Cyberpunk standing as another possible candidate for the partnership.
Together, these announcements paint a picture of a studio investing heavily in its most valuable IP. From the remaster arriving this week to a sprawling slate of games and novels stretching into the 2030s, The Witcher franchise is entering what CD Projekt Red clearly hopes will be a golden age of content for its devoted fanbase.
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