Tag: Witcher 4

  • CDPR Teases Scale of The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past Expansion

    CDPR Teases Scale of The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past Expansion

    Key Takeaway

    – Songs of the Past is a large expansion for The Witcher 3, likely similar in scope to Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty, with extensive new content and time added.
    – The expansion will include a visual modernization pass to update The Witcher 3’s visuals ahead of the release.
    – It’s expected to serve as a transitional bridge between The Witcher 3 and The Witcher 4, potentially shifting focus from Geralt to Ciri and passing the torch to the next era of the franchise.

    Expansion teased for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

    After months of rumors and leaks, an expansion for the now 11-year-old The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was finally confirmed. Titled “Songs of the Past,” it will act as a bridge between the original game and the next iteration in the franchise, The Witcher 4. For those wondering how big this expansion is going to be, a CD Projekt Red (CDPR) senior has shared an older clip to give fans an idea.

    Clip used to hint at scale

    The clip in question was shared by Paweł Sasko, the Associate Game Director at CDPR, and is from the Phantom Liberty promos before it was released. Idris Elba is answering the internet’s questions about the Cyberpunk 2077 expansion, and corrects a commenter’s use of the word “DLC,” saying, “Just to be clear, it’s not a DLC, it’s an expansion. You know why? Because we do expansions, big, massive, monster!”

    Phantom Liberty precedent and expectations

    Phantom Liberty was a huge story arc for Cyberpunk 2077 with over 20 hours of content, several new missions, a whole new area that was previously restricted, and a lot more. Thus, Songs of the Past can be expected to be of a similar scale, adding a lot of game time to The Witcher 3. CDPR is also going to push a visual update to modernize the decade-old game, ahead of the expansion’s release.

    Story direction and potential focus

    While not a lot is known about the storyline, it is strongly believed that it will act as a transition from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which focused on Geralt of Rivia, to The Witcher 4, which focuses on Ciri. Fans have been sharing theories online, with one user pointing out that the sword Geralt is holding in the expansion’s cover art is Ciri’s Zireael, or something very close to it. This suggests it will be a ‘passing the torch’ setting, adding more fuel to past rumors.

    Official voices and hints

    Paweł Sasko on X, Reddit

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  • Witcher Author Reveals CDPR Rarely Consults on Witcher 4 Lore

    Witcher Author Reveals CDPR Rarely Consults on Witcher 4 Lore

    Key Takeaways

    1. Andrzej Sapkowski has had limited involvement in the development of Witcher 4 by CD Projekt Red, noting significant changes he doesn’t fully agree with.
    2. The concept of Witcher schools originated from a mistake in his writing, which he believes is narratively incorrect and harmful to the plot.
    3. Sapkowski has minimal input on translations of his work, receiving feedback only when translators seek clarification, but he appreciates the quality of the English version.
    4. His current relationship with CDPR is positive, with contracts reportedly in good standing following a past lawsuit over compensation.
    5. Witcher 4 is under development and expected to be released no earlier than 2027, while Season 4 of the Witcher series on Netflix is currently airing.

    The creator of The Witcher, Andrzej Sapkowski, spoke at a promotional event for his new book, Crossroads of Ravens. When asked about his role in the eagerly awaited Witcher 4, which is being developed by CD Projekt Red (CDPR), he said he hasn’t been very involved. He noted, “It’s so rare.” This response reflects how the studio has approached the game, implementing many changes and additions, some of which Sapkowski does not completely agree with.

    The Schools of Witchers

    In the game, Witchers come from different schools. Geralt, known as the White Wolf, belongs to the Wolf school, while others include the Bear, Cat, Griffin, and more, each representing their school’s unique traits. During an AMA on Reddit, Sapkowski revealed that the concept of these schools was based on a mistake. He mentioned that it hasn’t been changed because “videogame people” hold on to it. “A single sentence about some ‘school of the Wolf’ mysteriously made its way into The Last Wish,” he stated. “I later considered it unworthy of further development and narratively incorrect, even harmful to the plot. So, I never mentioned any Witcher Gryffindors or Slytherins again. Never.”

    On Translations and Feedback

    Additionally, Sapkowski shared that he has limited input when it comes to the translations of his works. He explained that he only gets consulted when the translator reaches out for clarification or advice. “Very rarely – and only due to the goodwill of the translator – I get to see the full translation and give some feedback.” He acknowledged that some loss occurs in translation, but he feels fortunate with his translators, especially praising the English version as being very well done.

    The current relationship between him and the studio is positive, and he hopes it continues. “The contracts between me and the game people are excellent right now. Let’s hope it stays that way,” he remarked. However, things weren’t always so smooth. Back in 2019, CDPR resolved a lawsuit that claimed they weren’t compensating him adequately. Polish law allowed him to demand more money since the game was making much more than expected, with Sapkowski seeking $16 million.

    Future of The Witcher Franchise

    Witcher 4 is currently in development, but one thing is clear: it won’t be available until at least 2027. Meanwhile, Season 4 of the Witcher series on Netflix is airing, and the showrunner appears to be defending its ratings amidst scrutiny.

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  • CDPR’s Project Hadar: New Action RPG Focused on Melee Combat

    CDPR’s Project Hadar: New Action RPG Focused on Melee Combat

    Key Takeaways

    1. CD Projekt Red is developing multiple new projects, including The Witcher 4 and a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, known as Cyberpunk 2.
    2. Project Hadar is a new IP that will focus on RPG elements and feature melee combat, though details about its setting are still unclear.
    3. A job opening for a Senior Gameplay Designer for Project Hadar emphasizes the need for experience in RPG and melee combat.
    4. Project Hadar is in the early development stage, with the game universe still being built from scratch.
    5. The Witcher 4 is expected to be completed by 2027, while further details on Project Hadar may take time to emerge.

    CD Projekt Red is working on several new projects including The Witcher 4, a follow-up to Cyberpunk 2077, and a fresh IP known as Project Hadar. Not much information is currently available about this new title, but it seems that the developer will indeed return to its RPG roots for this game. Recent reports suggest that melee combat will play a significant role in the gameplay.

    Job Opening for Project Hadar

    According to Tech4gamers, a job ad has been posted for a Senior Gameplay Designer position at CD Projekt Red, specifically for Project Hadar. One of the requirements listed for the job is “At least 5+ years of professional experience in a similar role, preferably in RPG/Action titles with melee-oriented combat.” This type of combat generally includes hand-to-hand fighting or the use of weapons like swords, staffs, clubs, and axes.

    Uncertain Game Setting

    However, the exact setting of the new game remains unknown. It is uncertain if it will take place in a dystopian world similar to Cyberpunk 2077, in a medieval setting like the Witcher series, or in some entirely different universe.

    Project Hadar was initially announced in 2022 when CD Projekt Red shared its future plans. At that time, they were also working on Project Sirius, which is based in the Witcher universe. A new trilogy of Witcher games, including Witcher 4, was also announced. The sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, previously referred to as Project Orion and now called Cyberpunk 2, is being developed by part of the team. Lastly, Project Hadar was introduced as a new intellectual property.

    Early Development Stage

    The job listing specifies that Project Hadar is still at a nascent stage, with the universe being constructed from scratch. It may take a considerable time before any gameplay footage or official announcements are made. Nevertheless, The Witcher 4 is progressing and is anticipated to be completed by 2027.

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  • Cyberpunk 2077 Expansion Rumored as Support Studio Works on DLC

    Cyberpunk 2077 Expansion Rumored as Support Studio Works on DLC

    Key Takeaways

    1. CD Projekt Red is developing a new Witcher game and has just started pre-production on Cyberpunk 2.
    2. There are rumors of a new expansion for Cyberpunk 2077, as only one expansion has been released so far.
    3. Speculation about the new expansion arose from a LinkedIn profile of a writer at Virtuos, mentioning “Cyberpunk 2077 DLC” and multiple side quests.
    4. The official Cyberpunk 2077 account teased potential new content with a recent video and a mysterious message about “encrypted data.”
    5. CD Projekt Red is also working on a sequel to the Edgerunners anime and a live-action project set in the Cyberpunk universe.

    CD Projekt Red is currently busy with the development of the new Witcher game and Cyberpunk 2, which has just started its pre-production phase. However, it appears that the studio still has plans for Cyberpunk 2077. There are rumors circulating about a potential new expansion for the 2020 game, especially since there has only been one expansion released thus far, and Cyberpunk 2 has a long way to go before it launches.

    Origin of the Rumor

    The speculation began with a Reddit user named ‘Free_Carpenter151,’ who discovered a LinkedIn profile belonging to a writer at Virtuos. This profile mentioned “Cyberpunk 2077 DLC” as a project they had been engaged with since April 2025. Virtuos is known for creating the 2.2 update for Cyberpunk 2077. The project description hinted at “multiple new side quests” and “upcoming DLC releases,” indicating that a new expansion might be in the works.

    Recent Developments

    In addition, on March 27, the official Cyberpunk 2077 account on X posted a brief video featuring several characters from the game, along with six others categorized as “encrypted data.” The message stated, “Oh, and don’t worry about the encrypted data warning. Just a glitch in the system! Or is it?”

    Cyberpunk 2077 had its first and only expansion, Phantom Liberty, released in September 2023. Prior to that, after the initial announcement in September 2022, the Level Design Lead at CD Projekt Red hinted at the possibility of a second expansion. Nevertheless, it was thought that this second expansion was scrapped in favor of focusing on the sequel. Fans remain skeptical whether these clues actually indicate a second expansion for Cyberpunk 2077, suggesting that the support studio working on a DLC could imply various outcomes, not necessarily a full expansion.

    Future Projects

    Recently, the studio showcased a tech demo for Witcher 4, revealing some of the technologies that will be incorporated into the game. Furthermore, they announced last week (May 28) that Cyberpunk 2 has officially entered pre-production. The teams at CD Projekt Red are working hard on these significant titles, as well as a potential sequel to the Edgerunners anime and a live-action project set in the Cyberpunk universe.

    With all these projects in the pipeline, it seems that CD Projekt Red is committed to expanding its universe in various ways.

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