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Witcher 3's Free Next-Gen Update Arrives Next Month Alongside Complete Edition

Content inspired by the Netflix Witcher show is included in the Complete Edition.

32 Comments

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's next-gen update will launch on December 14, CD Projekt Red has announced. The upgrade arrives as part of the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

CD Projekt Red is promising a "plethora of enhancements" such as ray-tracing, faster loading times, and new content based on The Witcher Netflix series. More details on the new content included in the Complete Edition will be announced during a livestream next week.

Coming soon
Coming soon

The Complete Edition includes the base game, all DLC, and the two major expansions: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. At launch, the Complete Edition will be digital-only, but a physical version is coming later.

For anyone who already owns The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, they can get the next-gen upgrades for free. The PS4 and Xbox One versions of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are also welcoming "numerous improvements" and the Netflix content, but not until later on.

As for Netflix's Witcher series, Season 3 is coming during Summer 2023. Season 4 is in the works, too, but Henry Cavill is dropping out and will be replaced by Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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pillarrocks

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Been waiting for the Series S/X version.

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Destructionzz

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Edited By Destructionzz

Between GoW and Crisis Core (Dec 13) I don't think there will be any time for this, and it's not like next year isn't packed. Then there's the one who shall not be named, the Backlog. But can't say I'm not curious to see how this looks after the upgrade.

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Duremioh

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Is there DLSS to go with the RT?

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zerojuice

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Edited By zerojuice

@Duremioh: Yeah, it has been confirmed by Nvidia that it will support DLSS 3.0.

Not that this game needs it (DLSS support), even with the "graphical updates". If you have a 2060 or above you're probably already dominating the game in FPS. RT will barely slow it down.

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ENI232

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I might be waiting for the physical release. I just ordered a PS5 and bought demons souls to play. I won't have time to play the Witcher 3. I can't wait for the trailer to see the upgrade.

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jenovaschilld

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@eni232: Gratz on PS5. Souls was amazing.

-Ratchet turn out to be a surprisingly good game also, really.

-FF7R Intergrade for PS5 was amazing.

-The Spidermans were great and really felt 9th gen.

-Returnal was pretty interesting though short, but bold.

-Ghost of Tsushima, looks amazing. Buy the 4th gen game, and then pay 10$ for the upgrade.

A lot of exclusives to play and enjoy, ah .. Ghost Wire Tokyo was not that good, to me anyways.

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TheViper4Life

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The real question is...since I have the vanilla disc version on PS4 without the DLC, do I still get the Complete Edition when I upgrade?

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zerojuice

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@TheViper4Life: No. Why would they give you free expansion packs?

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TheViper4Life

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@zerojuice said:

@TheViper4Life: No. Why would they give you free expansion packs?

Because they mentioned awhile back that the PS5 and XSX versions of the game won't have a "vanilla version", only the Complete Edition. Which would mean even if you have the vanilla version of the game on PS4, it'd upgrade to the Complete Edition. They just haven't come outright and said this is how it works. I highly doubt they're just going to lock out a whole section of people who never bought the DLC...but clarification either way is needed.

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hosedandhappy

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@TheViper4Life: Of course you won't.

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deactivated-63d1ad7651984

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Wonder if it will look better then the E3 demo before they downgraded it.

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zerojuice

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@warmblur: It probably will be. But there honestly wasn't as much of a discrepancy as people seem to believe. Some minor shading differences. Some armor polygons removed (shoulder pads/plates on most of the Wild Hunt members). The biggest thing was probably how fire particle effects and lighting interacted with the environment.

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Jarrkha

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It's just a game! Ha ha

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Ultramarinus

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Give us Henry Cavill skin as well!

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mogan

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Edited By mogan  Moderator  Online

@Ultramarinus: I mean, Creative Assembly put him in Total War when he said he loved that franchise. So, I guess there's precedent. : p

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s9743469

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Finally! Been waiting a while for this. Hearts of Stone is one of the most poignant DLC I've ever played. It truly is a tragic story.

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swillermann

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I have been waiting a long time for this to finish up Blood and Wine. Bummer I have to wait even longer.

🙁

I think most console players bought the physical edition. Let's hope we get clarity on Livestream next week.

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deactivated-64a3ced8b46b8

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@swillermann: Are you on a last-gen console? If not, you don't have to wait.

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swillermann

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Edited By swillermann

@thecupidstunts: Thanks, good news. I might not be understanding the news release. I have the physical PS4 version that I want to play on PS5. I was thinking the upgrade would not be ready for physical disc owners. I guess it means a physical version of the new edition would be available later?

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hosedandhappy

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@swillermann: The digital and physical versions have been identical since last generation. Nothing is running off a disc. It's all 100% installed and running off the HDD/SSD. You install the game and download the enormous patch just like everyone else. The only difference is you have to keep your disc in the drive to verify you own it.

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chriss_m

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@hosedandhappy said:

@swillermann: The digital and physical versions have been identical since last generation. Nothing is running off a disc. It's all 100% installed and running off the HDD/SSD. You install the game and download the enormous patch just like everyone else. The only difference is you have to keep your disc in the drive to verify you own it.

What does this have to do with the question?

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hosedandhappy

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@chriss_m: Maybe read the question?

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deactivated-64a3ced8b46b8

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@swillermann: " I guess it means a physical version of the new edition would be available later?"

Correct.

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naryanrobinson

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So what's the difference between the GOTY Edition and the “Complete Edition” ?

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Dushness

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@naryanrobinson: get to redo all trophys/achievements

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deactivated-64a3ced8b46b8

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@naryanrobinson: There's no difference, not sure why there are two naming conventions. They both include the DLC and two expansion packs, and can be upgraded for free to this latest version.

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deactivated-64f32fa0d8a48

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@thecupidstunts: The Complete Edition is probably only current gen and incompatible with last gen, which is why they would need two different naming schemes. When they eventually launch physical there will need to be a distinction between the one that works with Xbox One/ PS4 and the one that doesn't.

But yes, content wise they'd be the same.

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naryanrobinson

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@rizenstrom: That's the only thing I can think of that would make a modicum of sense. Also I guess it makes people think it's a different/better product.

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deactivated-64f32fa0d8a48

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@naryanrobinson: These kinds of releases definitely rely on at least some people not knowing there's a free upgrade, otherwise everyone would just buy the GOTY edition.

It seems a bit shady but it's a pretty standard practice. Sony did it too with their first couple PS5 games, you could upgrade for free but if you wanted the box that said "PS5" you had to pay $10 more.

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deactivated-64a3ced8b46b8

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@rizenstrom: That makes sense.

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RicklePick

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@naryanrobinson: About $40.

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deactivated-64a3ced8b46b8

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Happy holidays to me! I was holding off on another run until this update dropped.

Nice! 😃👍

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