Witcher 3 next-gen update: Patch notes and changes revealed
Oh upgrade of plenty.
It's been a long time coming, but one of the most beloved games of all time has now had its next-gen update. That's right, folks - the update for the Witcher 3 has now arrived with all its visual upgrades, performance improvements, and ray tracing.
It launches on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, CD Projekt Red has revealed. And what's cool is that those who own the game already on PS4, Xbox One or PC will also be able to upgrade to the best-possible-version of the game for free.
If the news about the Netflix show has upset you somewhat, rest easy that the game you love from 2015 will now play better than ever. Keep reading to find out the juicy details - including a rundown of the patch notes!
When is The Witcher 3 upgrade release date?
The Witcher 3 next-gen upgrade release date is Wednesday 14th December 2022. At long last, the much-delayed PS5/Xbox Series X|S upgrade finally has a release date, CD Projekt Red has confirmed.
What is the UK launch time for The Witcher 3 next-gen update?
Here in the UK, the next-gen update for The Witcher 3 should be available at midnight GMT, just as the clock ticks over to Wednesday morning. That timing should be consistent across PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Over in the USA, the update is coming a little early to PC and Xbox players, at 7pm EST and 4pm PST. The PlayStation version still unlocks at midnight across the US, though.
Read more on The Witcher games:
- How to download The Witcher 3 next-gen update
- The Witcher 3 trophies - the full list of achievements
- The Witcher 4 - the latest speculation
- The Witcher remake - when's it coming?
The Witcher 3 patch notes: What does the update change?
The next-gen upgrade to the popular RPG is promising many improvements over the standard version of the game. In an official blog post, CD Projekt Red tells us to expect "dozens of visual, performance, and technical enhancements over the original". This includes "ray tracing support, faster loading times on consoles, as well as a variety of mods integrated into the experience".
What’s more, "new additional content inspired by The Witcher series from Netflix" will be added into the game. This is one hefty update and it "will be available for everyone who owns any release of the game for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC" entirely for free.
If you’ve not played The Witcher 3 before (yes, that is possible), CD Projekt Red is releasing the new next-gen version of the game separately on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition will be available to purchase as a digital download for anyone unlucky enough not to already own a copy of the game from 14th December 2022.
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A physical release will happen sometime afterward, but the developer has not announced a release date for boxed copies at the time of writing.
It’s not just PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC players joining in on the fun, too. The PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch versions of The Witcher 3 are all receiving a big new update, too. This will include new improvements and additions to the game, including the new content based on the Netflix series.
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Authors
Toby Saunders is a freelance writer specialising in Video Game journalism. He has a wealth of experience in the field and is published on many different websites including PCGamesN, Nintendo Life and Pocket Tactics. He has a degree in Film Studies (he gets to write about Film and TV occasionally, too).
