When Does The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update Come Out?

When Does The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update Come Out?
Images via CDProjekt RED

Written by 

Joshua Boyles

Published 

1st Dec 2022 10:16

If you're as excited as we are, then you're probably wondering, "when does The Witcher 3 next-gen update come out?". CDProjekt RED knows what its fans want and have spent countless hours remastering the iconic 2015 game into something that runs more suitably on next-gen consoles. While we've had to wait a fairly long while for this Witcher 3 update to come to fruition, the wait is very nearly over. Here's when The Witcher 3 next-gen update comes out.

When Does The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update Come Out?

The Witcher 3 next-gen update will release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on December 14th 2022. This update will be available to download for every gamer who already owns a copy of The Witcher 3. There's no need to purchase an additional version of the game.

What's Included In The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update?

Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update Release Date
Click to enlarge

The Witcher 3 next-gen update comes with a variety of goodies for players to enjoy. The most noticeable difference is that the visuals are completely overhauled to include all of the following features:

  • Ray Tracing
  • Improved Screen Space Reflections
  • Improved Foliage
  • Improved Textures
  • FSR 2.1
  • DLSS 3

Ultimately, this means that The Witcher 3 will look much better if you're playing on a next-gen console or PC.

In addition to the visual upgrade, there are also some new cosmetics and quests inspired by the Netflix series. These include a whole new questline that will eventually unlock the Netflix armour for Geralt, and new outfits for Dandelion and Nilfgaardian soldiers. These updates will also arrive on the last-gen versions of The Witcher 3.

That's not all! There are still a few quality-of-life features that will be arriving with The Witcher 3 next-gen update. Here are some of the most important ones:

  • Cross-Progression
    • Players will be able to transfer save files between platforms so they can pick up where they left off on a different console. Sadly, achievement and trophy progress will not carry over with this feature.
  • UI Improvements
    • There's a new third-person camera option that brings the player much closer to the action.
    • Signs can now be cast much more quickly with a hot-button system.
    • The main map now has a filter option to remove cluttered icons.
    • There's an option to hide the mini-map and other UI elements when not in exploration mode.
  • Photo Mode
    • A fully-featured photo mode will arrive, complete with camera controls and filter options.
  • Officially Supported Mods
    • Popular mods developed by the community have been integrated into the game officially to improve players' quality of life.
  • Bug Fixes
    • CDProjekt RED has worked to fix a bunch of quests that were known to cause issues in The Witcher 3. These quests should now be fixed retrospectively in existing save files, too.

That's everything that you can expect in The Witcher 3 next-gen update. For more The Witcher guides, keep reading GGRecon.

Joshua Boyles
About the author
Joshua Boyles
Joshua is the Guides Editor at GGRecon. After graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Broadcast Journalism, he previously wrote for publications such as FragHero and GameByte. You can often find him diving deep into fantasy RPGs such as Skyrim and The Witcher, or tearing it up in Call of Duty and Battlefield. He's also often spotted hiking in the wilderness, usually blasting Arctic Monkeys.
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