Witcher 3 Songs of the Past is officially the third expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, arriving more than a decade after the game’s original release.
CD Projekt Red confirmed Witcher 3 Songs of the Past earlier this year, and the studio has now set a date for the first real look at the expansion.
Here is the short answer: Songs of the Past launches in 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, co-developed with Fool’s Theory.
It will narratively bridge the gap between The Witcher 3 and the upcoming Witcher IV. A first look arrives at Gamescom on August 25, alongside new system requirement changes for the base game.
This guide breaks down what is confirmed so far, what the new system requirements mean for existing players, and what to expect heading into the Gamescom reveal.
What Is Witcher 3 Songs of the Past?
Songs of the Past is a full expansion on the scale of Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, not a small add-on, according to CD Projekt Red’s own framing of the announcement.
Players will once again control Geralt of Rivia, returning to the Continent for a new adventure ahead of Ciri taking the lead role in The Witcher IV.
This positioning makes Witcher 3 Songs of the Past more than a nostalgic revisit. It appears designed to actively set up the next mainline entry in the series rather than exist purely as bonus content.
Confirmed Details So Far
CD Projekt Red has shared a handful of concrete facts about the expansion, even though a full trailer has not been released yet, leaving plenty of room for speculation until the Gamescom showcase arrives.
- Launching in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
- Co-developed by CD Projekt Red and Fool’s Theory
- Positioned as a narrative bridge to The Witcher IV
- Reportedly expanding on the existing map rather than adding an entirely new region
Why This Expansion Matters for the Franchise
Furthermore, The Witcher 3 has sold more than 65 million copies since 2015 and holds more than 250 Game of the Year awards. A new expansion this far after launch is a rare move for a game already considered commercially complete.
That commercial success is part of why Witcher 3 Songs of the Past carries so much weight, since CD Projekt Red rarely revisits titles this long after their original release cycle wrapped up.
When Will We See Witcher 3 Songs of the Past in Action?
CD Projekt Red confirmed that the first real gameplay information will arrive during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live event.
The Gamescom Reveal Details
The showcase is scheduled for August 25, with additional hands-on presentations available on the show floor in Cologne through the following days.
- First look revealed during Opening Night Live on August 25
- Business area showcases running from August 26 to August 28
- Entertainment area showcases running from August 26 to August 30
- Hosted by Geoff Keighley as part of the wider Gamescom event
What a Release Date Might Look Like
Indeed, industry analysts have speculated the expansion could launch around September 2026 as a potential window, though CD Projekt Red has only confirmed a 2027 release year so far.
Some reports suggest the studio is deliberately avoiding a launch window too close to other major releases later in the year.
What System Requirement Changes Are Coming?
Alongside the expansion news, CD Projekt Red confirmed technical changes to the base game that will affect a meaningful number of current players.
Windows 10 Support Ending
CD Projekt Red confirmed it is ending support for Windows 10 players, following Microsoft’s own decision to wind down support for the operating system. The studio cited a lack of ongoing security updates and driver support as the reasoning.
- Windows 10 support ending ahead of the expansion’s release
- Change tied directly to Microsoft’s own Windows 10 support timeline
- HDD support also being removed in the same update
- The game will run exclusively on DirectX 12 going forward
Updated Minimum Hardware Requirements
Furthermore, minimum system requirements are also increasing, which is expected to exclude some older or lower-midrange gaming PCs from running the game going forward. Players on aging hardware should check their specs against the new requirements before the update lands.
These changes are scheduled to arrive with the next major update, well ahead of Witcher 3 Songs of the Past itself, giving players a window to prepare before the expansion launches.
Pro Tips For Preparing for the Expansion
Pro Tips: Checking Your System
- Compare your specs against the new minimum requirements early: Waiting until the update forces the issue leaves little time to plan an upgrade if needed.
- Confirm your storage drive type: HDD support is being removed, so players still running the game from a traditional hard drive should plan to move it to an SSD.
Pro Tips: Following the Gamescom Reveal
- Watch Opening Night Live directly if possible: First-look details are expected to premiere there before wider coverage circulates.
- Treat pre-Gamescom leaks with caution: Details are still evolving, and official confirmation should take priority over speculation.
Common Mistakes Players Are Making Right Now
Mistakes Around System Requirements
- Assuming the current game will keep running as-is indefinitely: The Windows 10 and HDD changes are already confirmed. Fix: check your system against the new requirements before the next major update.
- Ignoring the DirectX 12 requirement: Some older systems may not fully support DirectX 12. Fix: verify driver and hardware compatibility ahead of time.
Mistakes Around Expansion Expectations
- Expecting a small add-on: CD Projekt Red has framed this as a full-scale expansion. Fix: set expectations closer to Blood and Wine than a minor content pack.
- Assuming a confirmed release date already exists: Only a 2027 release year has been confirmed so far. Fix: wait for official date confirmation rather than trusting analyst speculation.
- Confusing this expansion with The Witcher IV itself: Songs of the Past is still built on The Witcher 3, not the next mainline game. Fix: keep the two projects separate when following news coverage.
| Expansion | Release Year | Scale | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hearts of Stone | 2015 | Mid-size expansion | Existing map area |
| Blood and Wine | 2016 | Large expansion | New region, Toussaint |
| Songs of the Past | 2027 | Full-scale expansion | Reportedly existing map area |
Getting Ready to Play Online While You Wait
The Witcher 3 is primarily a single-player experience, but many fans split their time with other online games while waiting for major releases like Witcher 3 Songs of the Past.
Why Connection Quality Still Matters for RPG Fans
Even players focused on single-player RPGs often jump into online multiplayer titles between major releases, where connection stability makes a real difference.
Where ExitLag Fits In
ExitLag is a game connection optimizer that analyzes multiple network paths in real time and selects the fastest, most stable route between your PC and a game’s servers. It does not encrypt your traffic or mask your IP.
ExitLag supports thousands of online titles across PC and mobile, making it a useful tool for the multiplayer games many RPG fans play while waiting for expansions like this one.
If unstable connections have been an issue elsewhere, the free trial is worth testing before your next multiplayer session.
Final Word on Witcher 3 Songs of the Past
Witcher 3 Songs of the Past marks a genuinely rare moment for a decade-old game: a full-scale expansion positioned as a bridge to the next mainline entry in the series.
What to Watch For Next
The Gamescom reveal on August 25 should provide the clearest picture yet of what this expansion actually includes.
What to Do Before Then
In the meantime, checking your system against the upcoming requirement changes is the most useful thing current players can do to prepare.
For longtime fans, this expansion also offers a rare chance to close out one chapter of the franchise before The Witcher IV shifts focus entirely to Ciri’s story.
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