The buzz is real: CD Projekt Red has officially postponed the release of the Witcher 3 expansion, “Songs of the Past,” from this year to 2027. This shift aims to ensure a top-notch experience for fans. Michał Nowakowski, joint CEO of CD Projekt Red, shared this news during a recent earnings call. “We felt that moving the release to 2027 would lead to the best outcome for our players,” he explained.
Chief Financial Officer Piotr Nielubowicz added that the company has been working on several projects, including the expansion co-developed by Fool’s Theory. It was once expected to come out this year, but they decided on a later release to focus on quality.
During the earnings call, many questions revolved around “Songs of the Past.” One participant inquired about the expansion’s size compared to previous ones like “Hearts of Stone” and “Blood and Wine.” Nowakowski noted that it might be closer to “Blood and Wine,” emphasizing the subjective nature of playthrough experiences.
When asked about pricing, he remained tight-lipped, stating that details would come at the right moment. He also couldn’t comment on how this expansion’s delay might affect The Witcher 4, which still lacks a release date.
Though he wouldn’t provide specifics, Nowakowski referred to the expansion as a “prologue” of sorts for The Witcher 4. The goal, he noted, was to create a great experience for current fans while also stirring interest for the next title. The expansion is intended to reignite conversations around The Witcher franchise.
Nowakowski also shared insights about presentations for “Songs of the Past” during Gamescom. He mentioned that fans shouldn’t expect a hands-on demo but rather a guided presentation, as these large RPGs often require more than just a brief play session for a proper overview.
Another interesting point raised was about CD Projekt Red’s plans for future Witcher titles. Nowakowski revealed an ambitious goal: to release three Witcher games within six years, starting with The Witcher 4. However, he hinted that expansions might not be in the cards for The Witcher 4, marking a change from the studio’s past practices. This might sound disappointing, but fans can look forward to more Witcher experiences in the near future.
Nielubowicz also mentioned other ongoing projects, emphasizing that while not as large as the expansion, fans should expect new content this year.
The announcement of “Songs of the Past” indicates a return to the beloved character Geralt, rather than Ciri. The excitement has also sparked discussions about Geralt’s sword featured in promotional artwork. Additionally, CD Projekt Red plans to update the minimum PC requirements for the aging Witcher 3 game as part of the expansion’s rollout.
In the gaming world, maintaining high-quality titles has shown to pay off. According to a recent survey from a gaming analytics firm, 79% of players prioritize game quality over release dates. This insight reinforces CD Projekt Red’s decision to focus on delivering a superior gameplay experience, even if it takes a bit longer.
As the gaming landscape evolves, it’s clear that CD Projekt Red is positioning itself for success, balancing fan expectations with their ambitious growth plans.
