- The Witcher 3 Remastered PC launches September 29, 2026 on Steam, GOG, Epic, and Battle.net.
- Free upgrade for all existing owners of The Witcher 3 on PC and current-gen consoles.
- Both expansions — Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine — are included and free for base-game owners.
- Visual and gameplay upgrades across the board, with details revealed in upcoming REDstreams.
- Nintendo Switch 2 owners can claim the Remastered version if they own the Switch release.
The Witcher 3 Remastered PC: What We Know So Far
CD PROJEKT RED officially announced The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered on August 25, 2026, confirming a September 29, 2026 release date. For PC players, this is the biggest overhaul of the game since the Next-Gen update, bringing upgrades to visuals, gameplay, and more. The announcement came straight from the official CD PROJEKT RED forums, framed with the studio's signature flair: "Are your swords oiled up and sharpened? Potions brewed? Roach saddled?"
Video Highlights:
- Official announcement trailer for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered
- Cinematic narration teasing Geralt's return to the Path
- Confirms the September 29, 2026 launch window
- Tagline: "Every ending can be a new beginning"
The trailer leans heavily on atmosphere rather than gameplay footage, echoing Geralt's destiny as a witcher: "Becoming a witcher is not something you choose. There is no other path." While CDPR has not yet published a full feature breakdown, the studio confirmed that detailed change information is expected during REDstreams broadcasts in the week following the announcement.
CD PROJEKT RED stated that full details on the Remastered changes are coming via REDstreams. Watch the official CDPR channels during late August 2026 for the complete feature list before launch day.
Platform Availability and Free Upgrade Rules
The upgrade path is remarkably generous. Here is how availability breaks down across every platform:
| Platform | Availability | Cost for Existing Owners | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Sept 29, 2026 | Free upgrade | Automatic for all owners |
| GOG | Sept 29, 2026 | Free upgrade | DRM-free version expected |
| Epic Games Store | Sept 29, 2026 | Free upgrade | Automatic for all owners |
| Battle.net | Pre-purchase open | New platform addition | First Witcher release on Blizzard's launcher |
| PlayStation 5 | Sept 29, 2026 | Free upgrade | For PS5 version owners |
| Xbox Series X|S | Sept 29, 2026 | Free upgrade | For Series X|S version owners |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Pre-purchase open | Free claim for Switch owners | Switch 1 owners can claim Remastered on Switch 2 |
Players asking about physical Switch 1 editions should verify their ownership claim through their Nintendo account and the eShop before September 29, 2026. Digital ownership transfers are confirmed; physical-copy procedures had not been fully clarified at announcement time.
The Battle.net release surprised parts of the community, with some forum users questioning why CDPR would bring an already-successful game to Blizzard's launcher. In practice, it simply widens distribution — the Steam, GOG, and Epic versions remain fully supported.
Expansions, Improvements, and Community Expectations
Every current owner of the base game gains free access to Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, and both expansions are bundled into the Remastered base game itself. That makes this the most content-complete PC release of The Witcher 3 to date.
Hearts of Stone
- Included free for all owners
- Olgierd's storyline and Gaunter O'Dimm
- Bundled in Remastered base game
Blood and Wine
- Toussaint region and vineyards
- Included free for all owners
- Part of Remastered base game
Base Game Overhaul
- Visual upgrades across environments
- Gameplay improvements confirmed
- Details via REDstreams
Community discussion has already surfaced hopes and concerns worth tracking:
| Topic | Community Sentiment | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Transmog system | Highly requested for years | Hoped for in Remastered |
| Volumetric fog/clouds | Requested; absent from trailer | Unconfirmed |
| Engine (REDengine vs UE5) | Concern about engine swap | Unconfirmed; CDPR has lent REDengine to partners before |
| New dialogue/quest options | Requested by roleplayers | Unconfirmed |
| Install size | Concern over bloated file size | Unconfirmed |
| Mod compatibility | 200+ mod builds may break | Expected disruption |
Long-time PC players with heavily modded installs should back up their game folders before upgrading. Major version transitions historically break script mergers and compatibility patches, and a Remastered rebuild will likely require mod authors to update their work.
Step-by-Step: Prepare Your PC for Launch Day
Follow these steps to be ready the moment the Remastered goes live:
Verify Your Ownership
Log into Steam, GOG, or Epic and confirm The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt appears in your library. Ownership of the base game is what triggers the free upgrade and free expansions.
Claim the Free Expansions
Once CDPR activates the promotion, claim Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine through your platform's store page so they are permanently attached to your account.
Back Up Mods and Saves
Copy your saves and mod folders to a separate drive. Expect mod breakage and plan a clean install for the Remastered version.
Watch the REDstreams
Tune into the official REDstreams broadcasts for the full change list, settings options, and performance recommendations before installing.
Install on September 29, 2026
Download the Remastered version, restore your saves, and ride out to face Eredin and the Wild Hunt once more.
The Witcher 3 has historically preserved save compatibility across major updates, including the Next-Gen transition. Keep your saves in Documents\The Witcher 3 safe regardless — but plan for mods, not saves, to be the main casualty.
Launch Readiness Checklist
Before September 29, 2026:
- Confirm The Witcher 3 base game in your PC library
- Claim Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine for free
- Back up save files and mod folders
- Watch REDstreams for the full feature breakdown
- Check SSD space for a fresh Remastered install
- Pre-purchase on Battle.net or Switch 2 if using those platforms
FAQ
Q: When does The Witcher 3 Remastered release on PC?
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered launches September 29, 2026 on Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and Battle.net, alongside PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Q: Is the Remastered upgrade free for existing PC owners?
Yes. CD PROJEKT RED confirmed the Remastered is a free upgrade for all owners of the game on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Nintendo Switch owners can also claim it on Switch 2.
Q: Do I get the expansions with The Witcher 3 Remastered PC?
Yes. All current owners of the base game gain free access to Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, and both expansions are included in the Remastered base game itself.
Q: Will my mods still work after upgrading?
Most likely not without updates. Community members with large mod builds expect significant breakage, similar to past major version transitions. Back up your files and wait for mod authors to publish compatibility updates.