Rumors have emerged suggesting that CD Projekt Red could release a new paid expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in 2026. The speculation originated from Borys Nieśpielak, a Polish industry insider known for his work documenting indie game development in We Are Alright. Nieśpielak claimed last summer that Fool’s Theory, the studio handling the Witcher 1 remake, was also working on a new expansion for The Witcher 3. He expected an official announcement around The Game Awards in December, though no such confirmation occurred.
The rumor received additional attention when Mateusz Chrzanowski, an analyst at Polish Noble Securities, published a report in December forecasting that the next paid DLC would launch in May 2026. The report suggested sales could reach 11 million copies at $30 each, with a production budget of roughly PLN 52 million. Chrzanowski also speculated that the release could serve as the initial marketing push for The Witcher 4, which he projected would launch in Q4 2027.
Potential Benefits of a New Expansion
From a strategic perspective, a new Witcher 3 expansion could serve multiple purposes. It could generate revenue ahead of The Witcher 4, provide fans with additional content during the gap between mainline releases, and offer a narrative bridge between Geralt and Ciri, the series’ new protagonist. Such a release could also renew interest in the franchise before the next major title, a common marketing tactic in the gaming industry.
Development Challenges and Limitations
Despite the speculation, there are several factors that make a new expansion uncertain. CD Projekt Red has transitioned its projects to Unreal Engine 5, including The Witcher 4 and the Witcher 1 remake. Fool’s Theory, the studio reportedly involved with the expansion, has been assisting CDPR with The Witcher 4, which could limit the studio’s capacity for additional projects.
Previous expansions, such as Blood and Wine for The Witcher 3 and Phantom Liberty for Cyberpunk 2077, required significant internal resources and teams. Reassembling the original Witcher 3 development team after ten years would be a complex undertaking, particularly while key staff are engaged with upcoming projects like The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2.
Narrative Considerations
Another question is how a new expansion would fit into the existing story. Geralt’s arc was largely concluded in Blood and Wine, and Ciri is positioned as the series’ new protagonist. Creating a story centered on Geralt may not align with CD Projekt Red’s long-term plans for the franchise. Any new content would need to find a narrative space that adds meaningful context without undermining the upcoming mainline title.
Current Status and Speculation
As of now, CD Projekt Red has not confirmed a new Witcher 3 expansion. The information from Nieśpielak and Chrzanowski remains unverified, leaving fans to rely on speculation and industry reports. While the timing and marketing strategy could make a release logical, development constraints, resource allocation, and story relevance all present potential obstacles.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is CD Projekt Red releasing a new Witcher 3 expansion in 2026?
CD Projekt Red has not confirmed any new Witcher 3 expansion. Rumors suggest a release could occur in May 2026, but these remain unverified.
Who is developing the rumored expansion?
Reports indicate Fool’s Theory, the studio remaking The Witcher 1, might be involved. However, the studio is currently assisting CD Projekt Red with The Witcher 4, which may affect development capacity.
Will Geralt return in the expansion?
It is unclear. Geralt’s story was largely concluded in Blood and Wine, and the franchise is focusing on Ciri as the new protagonist.
Could the expansion tie into The Witcher 4?
Analysts suggest that a Witcher 3 expansion could serve as a marketing lead-in for The Witcher 4, helping bridge the gap between games and maintain fan engagement.
Why is there doubt about the expansion?
Key challenges include development on Unreal Engine 5, resource allocation, the difficulty of reassembling the original team, and narrative considerations around Geralt’s story.
