CD Projekt Red will release The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered on Sept. 29, 2026, as a free upgrade for owners of the original game [1].
The move rewards long-term players by providing modern technical enhancements and expansions at no additional cost, contrasting with the industry trend of charging for remastered content.
The announcement took place during the Gamescom 2026 Opening Night Live event [3]. The developer said the remastered version will be available as a free upgrade for those who already own the original title and its expansions [2]. This includes support for current-generation hardware such as the PS5 and PS5 Pro [1], as well as Xbox consoles [4].
While existing owners will pay $0 for the upgrade [2], new players who do not own the original game will face a standard retail price of $60 [5]. The upgrade also extends to Nintendo users, with a free transition confirmed for those moving from the original Switch version to the Nintendo Switch 2 [5].
CD Projekt Red said the decision was intended to reward the community that supported the original release. The remastered version aims to modernize the visual and technical experience of the open-world RPG while maintaining the core gameplay loop.
Players can expect the update to go live across all supported platforms on the Sept. 29 date [1]. The company has not detailed specific technical changes beyond the "remastered" designation, but the announcement confirms that all previously released expansions are included in the free transition [2].
“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered will be released on Sept. 29, 2026.”
By offering a high-fidelity remaster for free to existing customers, CD Projekt Red is utilizing a loyalty-based retention strategy. While the $60 price point for new users ensures fresh revenue, the free upgrade for veterans prevents community backlash over 'double-dipping' and encourages a return to the franchise's ecosystem ahead of future releases.
