Next-gen consoles are just around the corner, and game developers are making announcements left and right. Aside from new games being released, we are, of course, seeing a number of older games getting digital makeovers for re-release. The Witcher 3 has now been added to that list with this latest announcement from CD PROJEKT RED.
We’re working on the next-generation edition of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt!
Developed to take advantage of the most powerful gaming hardware, the next-gen edition of the game will feature a range of visual and technical improvements — including ray tracing and faster loading times — across the base game, both expansions, and all extra content.
The next-generation edition of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will release as a standalone purchase for PC, Xbox Series X, and PlayStation 5, as well as a free update for everyone who already owns the game on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.
Many fans have actually been asking for this for some time. Originally launched in 2015, it was visually impressive for the time, but even then, some had questioned the seemingly downgraded visuals from earlier press releases. It was also right before the launch of DX12, which could have helped with some performance issues. As ray-tracing effects continue to gain ground, adding them to the game could be a major upgrade considering the game’s many different lighting environments and use of shadows. From console to PC, everyone stands to gain with these upgrades.
Mod Improvements Already Out for PC
Like many other games released on PC, there are a number of mods out there for The Witcher 3. One of the most popular comes from Halk Hogan. He’s been upgrading visuals for the game continuously to much acclaim from fans, and tech sites, alike. With nearly 1 million downloads from NexusMods, it’s no surprise he’s kept upgrades coming with a passion. Somewhat coincidentally, CD PROJEKT RED’s announcement comes almost a year to the day after the one from Halk last year. Presently, he is working on version 12.0 of the famous mod.