CD Projekt Red has locked in a 2027 release window for Songs of the Past, the third major expansion to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and plans to unveil it during Opening Night Live at gamescom 2026 on August 25.
The expansion marks a significant return to one of gaming's most beloved franchises more than a decade after the original game's release and nearly 11 years after Blood and Wine, the celebrated second expansion that extended The Witcher 3's lifespan considerably. Songs of the Past will launch simultaneously on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
CD Projekt has partnered with Fool's Theory, a studio staffed with industry veterans who previously contributed to The Witcher 3, to co-develop the expansion. Players will reprise their role as Geralt of Rivia, the legendary monster slayer, for what the studio describes as a brand new adventure set after the events of the base game.
The expansion also doubles as a bridge to The Witcher 4. During investor discussions in May, CD Projekt joint CEO Michał Nowakowski characterized Songs of the Past as functioning somewhat like a prologue to the upcoming sequel, though he emphasized the expansion's standalone story as the priority. "First and foremost, we really wanted to deliver a great experience to the fans, a really cool expansion that's going to make people happy that they can come back to The Witcher 3 setting," Nowakowski explained. "Of course, indirectly, yes, it is a reminder [of the franchise for fans]. It is, in a way, a prologue."
The original plan called for a 2025 release, but the studio opted for the later 2027 window to ensure quality. "We decided together with the development team, that the game will be launching in 2027, to be honest, to achieve the best possible result from the consumer standpoint, which in the end, frankly speaking, is the only ultimate thing that really matters," Nowakowski said.
CD Projekt has teased a few story details through cryptic hints. Geralt will wield a mysterious new sword with an ornate curved crossguard that plays an important role in the narrative. The expansion centers around Belleteyn Night, a significant evening in Witcher lore, and Geralt's bard companion Dandelion will feature prominently. Senior community manager Laura Beitzel encouraged fans to look for clues in artwork and promotional materials already shared. "We won't give too much away right now because we want you to experience it as you play," Beitzel said during a 10th anniversary livestream.
The expansion will match the scale and depth of Blood and Wine, according to community statements. CD Projekt also confirmed that Songs of the Past will include new Gwent cards, and the company continues developing cross-platform mod support for The Witcher 3, coming at a future unspecified date.
The Witcher 3 has become one of gaming's commercial juggernauts, recently surpassing 65 million copies sold worldwide. Meanwhile, CD Projekt remains in an intense development cycle with The Witcher 4 in production and Cyberpunk 2 also underway, though neither has received a confirmed release window yet.
Author Emily Chen: "Songs of the Past feels like the perfect send-off for Geralt before CD Projekt shifts focus to what comes next, and the 2027 window signals this expansion will actually be substantial rather than a quick nostalgia cash-in."
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