[Update #2]: Nearly a decade later, The Witcher 3 is getting official modding tools.
[Update]: The Witcher 3's big next-gen update has now arrived and, aside from a couple of technical issues, it's been a resounding success.
Once it arrives this December 14th, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's next-gen update will bring with it a wide variety of improvements, fixes and additional content for the already impressive RPG. Best of all, the next-gen update will be entirely free for everyone that owns any version of The Witcher 3!
Rather than babble on, allow me to share with you CD Projekt Red's brief overview of all the major features, along with a new trailer highlighting some of them in action. Without further ado, here's the brief list:
Improved visuals
Ray Tracing, improved Screen Space Reflections, improved foliage, better textures and more visual improvements are coming to the game. Enjoy them to the fullest thanks to FSR 2.1 and DLSS 3 support!
Camera, controls and UI changes
Rediscover the Continent from a new perspective — we've added an alternative camera option that'll bring you closer to the action. Combined with the alternative Quick Sign Casting option, map filtering and the option to dynamically hide the minimap, it will make exploration even more exciting than before!
Photo mode
Capture the moment with the added photo mode! Does that mean there will be a The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt photo mode contest in the near future? Maybe.
Integrated mods
We've included some community-made favourites in addition to our own modifications.
Quest fixes
You've been asking for them — and we couldn't say no! The next-gen update has also been an opportunity to revisit some of the issues in the quests. The free next-gen update brings fixes to From Ofier's Distant Shores, Scavenger Hunt: Wolf School Gear and more!
Netflix DLC
We have a very special treat for all of the fans of the Netflix show! Enjoy alternative looks for Dandelion and Nilfgaardian soldiers, as well as a new quest, inspired by the show, where you'll be able to get diagrams for new equipment for Geralt. What's the quest? Shhh! No spoilers!
Cross-progression
A feature you know from Cyberpunk 2077 — play the game how you like, wherever you like and carry over your latest save between platforms.
For those of you wishing to dive into The Witcher 3 for the very first time, it's well worth mentioning that CD Projekt Red has announced that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition will also be launching on December 14th. As you might expect given the name alone, the Complete Edition will come with all of the DLCs, expansions and enhancements all bundled together into one convenient package. So if you're looking to get started with The Witcher series, that's probably going to be a good place to do so.
Once the next-gen update goes live alongside the Complete Edition, I'll make sure to let you know. Until then, I'll leave you with a rather lengthy developer preview of the next-gen update and its features. Enjoy!