CD Projekt Red never considered charging for The Witcher 3 remaster, and says expansion Songs of the Past came from a couple of “happy accidents”
CD Projekt Red has confirmed that its upcoming Witcher 3 Remastered edition will be free for current owners, with the studio stating that charging players for the overhaul “never entered” its considerations. Revealed at Gamescom, the remaster represents a substantial refresh of the 11-year-old role-playing game with both visual and gameplay enhancements. The update addresses long-standing criticisms of the original, including overhauled combat mechanics, improved enemy behaviour, refined horse riding, and restructured skill trees.
Rather than monetizing the remaster itself, CD Projekt Red plans to meet its commercial objectives through a paid expansion titled “Songs of the Past,” developed in partnership with Fool’s Theory and scheduled for 2027 release. CEO Michał Nowakowski indicated this approach reflects the studio’s stance that improving an existing game for its established player base should not require additional payment.
The remaster has been confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2, marking the franchise’s arrival on Nintendo’s new hardware. The decision to provide free improvements while pursuing revenue through new content represents a contrasting approach to industry practices where remasters are sometimes marketed as separate premium products. The announcement highlights CD Projekt Red’s effort to maintain goodwill with its player base while pursuing profitability through expanded content rather than repackaged versions.