The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is experiencing a renaissance. Following the release of its newly launched Remastered edition, the 11-year-old role-playing game from CD Projekt Red has surged to its highest-ever concurrent player count on Steam, drawing a fresh wave of players back to Geralt of Rivia’s monster-slaying world. As of this morning, nearly 120,000 people were playing The Witcher 3 on Steam, making it the ninth most-played game on the PC platform at the time of writing.
The surge comes as players in the United States wake up and download the update, prompting the question of how high the numbers will climb. The current figure does not, of course, capture audiences playing on GOG or the Epic Games Store, where the title is also being sold, nor the millions of players across PlayStation, Switch 2, and Xbox. Still, with a community of an estimated 65 million players worldwide, the milestone serves as a striking reminder of the enduring pulling-power of CD Projekt Red’s fantasy RPG.
A Remaster That Honors the Original
The Remastered edition rolls out today, bringing with it a vast array of upgrades to the way the game looks and plays. Enhanced textures, improved lighting, faster load times, and broadened resolution and frame-rate support have been layered onto the beloved open world, modernizing the experience for both veterans and newcomers alike.
However, as I found out while playing The Witcher 3 – Remastered, the changes are not quite as transformative as some might have hoped. Beneath the visual polish, it remains very much the same game that captivated millions over a decade ago, delivering the same sprawling narrative, branching choices, and richly realized world that defined its original release.
The Remastered update being free to owners of any version of The Witcher 3 – and the game’s existing expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood of Wine, being thrown in for free as well – represents extraordinary game support and generosity on the part of CD Projekt Red.
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Generosity That Primes the Next Chapter
That generosity is not without purpose. The Remastered edition is being released to prime the audience for the arrival of the new Witcher 3 expansion, Songs of the Past, which is scheduled to launch next year. By inviting returning players back into the world at no additional cost, CD Projekt Red is ensuring that the community is ready when the next chapter unfolds.
The decision to make the Remastered update free to anyone who already owns any version of The Witcher 3 has been widely praised across the gaming community. Existing owners, including those who purchased the original game or the subsequent Complete Edition, automatically receive the enhanced version along with the Hearts of Stone and Blood of Wine expansions, which are now bundled in at no extra charge. For new buyers, the Remastered edition represents the definitive way to experience the story that redefined the modern RPG.
Looking Ahead
As the day progresses and more players across the globe download the update, the Steam player count is expected to keep climbing, potentially pushing the title even higher than its previous peak. The Remastered edition stands as both a celebration of a landmark achievement in gaming and a bridge to the future, with Songs of the Past already generating excitement among fans.
Whether the numbers continue to soar or settle into a steady resurgence, one thing is clear: The Witcher 3 has proven that a truly great RPG never truly retires. With CD Projekt Red’s continued support and a dedicated 65-million-strong community, Geralt’s final adventure is enjoying a well-earned second act, and the journey is far from over.
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