CD Projekt Red closed Gamescom 2026 with three awards for The Witcher 3 remaster and its accompanying DLC, while confirming that The Witcher 4 is now playable on current-generation hardware and announcing a free upgrade path for owners of the original 2015 RPG.
Witcher 4 reaches playable state
Co-CEO Michał Nowakowski disclosed that The Witcher 4 is running on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X. The studio stopped short of providing a release window beyond "no earlier than 2028," and confirmed that the project will ship without a physical edition. The cross-platform playable state marks a concrete milestone in the sequel's development pipeline, though CD Projekt Red offered no gameplay footage or technical specifications beyond the platform list.
Free remaster arrives September 29
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered launches on September 29, 2026 at no cost to existing owners of the base game. The package includes the full game alongside the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions. CD Projekt Red positioned the remaster as a free upgrade rather than a paid re-release, giving current owners access to the enhanced version, additional content, and the new Songs of the Past DLC without a separate purchase.
Gamescom 2026 recognition
The Cologne showcase delivered three wins for the Witcher franchise. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered and its Songs of the Past DLC took Best Trailer/Announcement, the Songs of the Past booth earned Best Booth, and the Songs of the Past Pin & Medallion merchandise line won Best Merch. The awards reflect both the marketing push around the remaster and the consumer products tied to the DLC.
The combination of a free remaster, a confirmed playable next-gen sequel, and a multi-category Gamescom sweep gives CD Projekt Red tangible momentum heading into the remaster's launch window. Existing owners receive a concrete delivery date and a zero-cost upgrade, while the developer's confirmation that The Witcher 4 runs on all three current-generation platforms signals that the project has moved beyond pre-production. The absence of a physical release and the 2028-earliest timeline, however, frame the sequel as a long-term investment rather than an imminent launch, leaving the September remaster as the franchise's near-term touchpoint with players.
The decision to offer The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered as a free upgrade underscores CD Projekt Red’s commitment to rewarding its existing playerbase, a move that could bolster goodwill ahead of the sequel’s eventual launch. By bundling the base game with its acclaimed expansions—Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine—and the new Songs of the Past DLC, the studio is not only extending the lifespan of its most celebrated title but also providing a seamless transition for fans who have yet to experience the full scope of Geralt’s adventures. This strategy aligns with the company’s broader effort to reestablish trust following past controversies, positioning the remaster as both a nostalgic gesture and a bridge to future content.
