The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

[DeathKnight]

Now the "next-gen" version is planned for a Q4 release this year after CDPR brought development in-house (Saber was working on it previously).

https://twitter.com/witchergame/status/1527299944834510854

[theshadowcult]

sweeeeeet

[Seyiji]

The next-gen update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is coming on December 14th 2022, free for everyone who already owns the game.

https://twitter.com/witchergame/status/1592177211481944068

[Spencer]

Will the update conflict with any hd graphics mods we've already installed? Also if you're on Steam it's an update so that means eventually you have to download it and then it will install whether you want it or not. If that's wrong please correct it. I don't think you can revert to a previous update on the Steam Witcher 3, although I hope I'm wrong about that. I just don't want the HD Reworked mod to get messed up by the new graphics patch.

[Mangler]

Will the update conflict with any hd graphics mods we've already installed? Also if you're on Steam it's an update so that means eventually you have to download it and then it will install whether you want it or not. If that's wrong please correct it. I don't think you can revert to a previous update on the Steam Witcher 3, although I hope I'm wrong about that. I just don't want the HD Reworked mod to get messed up by the new graphics patch.

No idea, we don't even know if the upgrade is going to be a separate entry in our libraries or not.

[Megaman]

I’m glad I put the second play through on hold.

[theshadowcult]

Awwww yeah. Time for a Witchery christmas!

[SD-[Inc]]

What is the PC version getting that the many mods haven't already done? I am happy there will be a PS5 version because the current game on console is pretty weak. That ought to be a real upgrade. Not sure why PC needs it though?

[Mangler]

What is the PC version getting that the many mods haven't already done? I am happy there will be a PS5 version because the current game on console is pretty weak. That ought to be a real upgrade. Not sure why PC needs it though?

Raytracing, DLSS, DX12.

[SD-[Inc]]

Raytracing, DLSS, DX12.

Is that all confirmed? I didn't know it was a total redo of the engine. I assumed just some tweaks and upgraded assets. Cool.

[Exposed]

Did the original have HDR? If not I hope the update adds it.

[DeathKnight]

Update trailer

[KAC]

Might actually end up playing this on PC as last time I played it on PS4.

[Destroy]

IMO this is stupid. This game is too new and does not need an update like this at all.

[theshadowcult]

IMO this is stupid. This game is too new and does not need an update like this at all.

Well, firstly, it came out in 2015. almost 8 years ago. secondly, they said for many years it was getting an update. Then just before cyberpunks release they said witcher 3 was getting a ray tracing update. Then it was also offloaded to an outside dev team (though it was brought back in house half way through development after the cyberpunk failure). Also, its not a remaster or full remake, its just a patch. Honestly, its just nice to see it actually get released.

[DeathKnight]

IMO this is stupid. This game is too new and does not need an update like this at all.

Why not? Like theshadowcult said it's not a remaster or full remake. It's really just a "next-gen" patch for the latest consoles, but the PC version gets all the same bells and whistles too and will look the best. It's free too.

[Exposed]

Ray tracing and HDR support is all I ask for.

[Megaman]

Complaining about free upgrades.

[Megaman]

I looked at the trailer again, I can't see any difference. Need comparison video pronto...

Also, the tree reflections in the river appeared to be screen space reflections. If you look closely you see the tree reflection changing.

[Crawdaddy79]

I've replayed W1 in 2018(ish) and W2 in 2021(ish) and have been waiting on this update to replay W3. It couldn't come at a more perfect time for me. If it weren't announced, I'd be replaying W3 next month anyway. Such a damn good game.

[theshadowcult]

I looked at the trailer again, I can't see any difference. Need comparison video pronto...

Also, the tree reflections in the river appeared to be screen space reflections. If you look closely you see the tree reflection changing.

Its not a huge change. its still significant though. Direct comparisons in the second half of the video.

EDIT: i should mention, the video is pc. The console upgrade is the actual upgrade. Its quite significant. The pc mostly just gets some lod upgrades and better lighting.

[Megaman]

The next gen upgrade looks like poo. It's blurry compared to GOTY edition. There has to be some compression issue going on with the next gen upgrade video.

[theshadowcult]

I've replayed W1 in 2018(ish) and W2 in 2021(ish) and have been waiting on this update to replay W3. It couldn't come at a more perfect time for me. If it weren't announced, I'd be replaying W3 next month anyway. Such a damn good game.

i started playing fallout 4 again about two weeks before they just announced their enhanced edition coming free to everyone in 2023. bahh!

[|MaguS|]

The next gen upgrade looks like poo. It's blurry compared to GOTY edition. There has to be some compression issue going on with the next gen upgrade video.

Hopefully it's due to the use of FSR and it can look better with it off.

[DeathKnight]

[Andy22]

Looks pretty good to me. I bought the PS4 complete edition for $15 as I never played the DLC so with the upgrade for the PS5 and added content it's a no brainer.

[Megaman]

[Spencer]

CDPR tested some mods and made a list of them that will work in the Next Gen update. So far they've listed about 70 popular mods that will still be compatible without the mods having to be updated. In this PC Gamer article about it.

https://www.pcgamer.com/cdpr-has-che...xt-gen-update/

[theshadowcult]

thats pretty cool

[Megaman]

New Patch with update

PC and Next-Gen Exclusives

• Added ray traced global illumination and ambient occlusion.
• Additionally, PC players with compatible hardware have an additional option to turn on ray traced reflections and shadows.
• Added various mods and mod-inspired content to the game to improve visuals and overall game quality. We’ve included some community-made favorites in addition to our own modifications in areas such as environment and cutscene improvements, realistic pavements, and many decoration upgrades.
• Community-made and community-inspired mods include:

• The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project by HalkHogan

• HD Monsters Reworked by Denroth

• Immersive Real-time Cutscenes by teiji25

• Nitpicker's Patch by chuckcash

• World Map Fixes by Terg500

• Upscaled texture to 4K for various characters, including Geralt, Yennefer, Triss, Ciri, Eredin and more.
• All main characters, including Geralt, now cast high-resolution self-shadowing even outside cutscenes. Additionally, hair clipping through armor as well as some other armor-clipping issues have been fixed.
• Environmental improvements:

• Added a new weather type – "Gray Sky"

• Updated sky textures

• Vegetation and water improvements

• Various mesh improvements

• Improved some select VFX

• Updated global environmental lighting

• Added AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution (FSR) 2.1
• Added photo mode, allowing players to take stunning pictures within the world of The Witcher 3.
• Added the option to pause the game during cutscenes.
• Added an alternative camera option that's closer to the player's character and that reacts more dynamically to combat and movement. You can find this new setting in Options → Gameplay under Exploration, Combat, and Horseback Camera Distance.

PC-Specifc

• Added “ULTRA+” graphical settings on PC, which significantly increases the visual fidelity of the game. The graphical settings available on ULTRA+ affect:

• Number of background characters

• Shadow quality

• Grass density

• Texture quality

• Foliage visibility range

• Terrain quality

• Water quality

• Detail level

• Added DLSS 3 support. Available only on compatible hardware.

Next-Gen Console-Specifc

• Improved the overall quality of graphics on next-gen consoles. Including enhanced textures, improved fidelity, shadow quality, greater draw distances and crowd density.
• Ray Tracing Mode — provides ray-traced global illumination and ambient occlusion with dynamic resolution scaling targeting 30 FPS for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
• Performance Mode — ensures smoother gameplay targeting 60 FPS with dynamic resolution scaling for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
• The Xbox Series S version has no ray-tracing features. Quality Mode provides increased resolution and better image fidelity targeting 30 FPS, whereas Performance Mode targets 60 FPS and prioritizes smoother gameplay over visual quality.
• Implemented the use of adaptive triggers and haptic feedback on PS5 DualSense controllers.
• Added Activity Cards for PS5.

Online Features

• Added a cross-progression feature between platforms. Your latest saves will be automatically uploaded to the cloud so you can easily pick up where you left off on other platforms. Cross-progression provides the latest save for every save type. This feature becomes available after you log into your account.
• By signing up to MY REWARDS in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, players can receive:

• Swords of the Nine-Tailed Vixen

• White Tiger of the West Armor

• Dol Blathanna Armor Set

• Roach Card

Detailed information on how to redeem the rewards will be available from Dec 14th, 1 AM CET at thewitcher.com/my-rewards.

Additional Content

• Added a new side quest, In The Eternal Fire's Shadow, in Velen. Rewards are inspired by Neftlix's The Witcher series.
• Added an alternative appearance for Dandelion inspired by Netflix's The Witcher series. You can enable it in Options → Gameplay.
• Added an alternative Nilfgaardian Armor set inspired by Netflix's The Witcher series. You can enable it in Options → Gameplay.
• Added Chinese and Korean voice-over. Availability on consoles varies by region.
• Various improvements and changes to Russian voice-over, including fixes for accelerated / slowed lines in the vast majority of scenes.

Quality of Life Changes

• Added a Quick Sign Casting option. It allows signs to be switched and cast without opening the radial menu. You can find it in Options → Gameplay.
• Added a new default map filter. The new filter hides some icons such as "?" and boat icons in order to reduce icon clutter on the map. These icons can be turned back on with the “All” map mode toggle.
• Adjusted the minimum height for fall damage, allowing the player to survive falls from higher heights.
• Herbs can now be instantly looted with a single interaction – without the additional loot window.
• Added options that dynamically hide the minimap and quest objectives when not in combat or using Witcher senses. You can find it in Options → Video → HUD Configuration → Hide minimap during Exploration and Hide objectives during Exploration.
• Added the option to slow walk when playing with a controller. You can now slow walk by lightly pushing the left stick forward.
• Added an alternative sprint mode option when playing with a controller. It's activated by tapping the left stick. You can find it in Options → Control Settings.
• Added an option to make target-lock unnaffected by camera inversion. You can find it in Options → Control Settings.
• Improved the radial menu so bombs, bolts and pocket items can now be switched dynamically without opening the inventory.
• Added the option to scale the font size for subtitles, NPC chatter and dialogue choices. You can find it in Options → Video → HUD Configuration.
• Added various other small fixes, tweaks, and quality of life changes, including a few secrets to be discovered by players.

Gameplay

• Added the mod Full Combat Rebalance 3 by Flash_in_the_flesh which includes balance changes and various fixes to gameplay. We took a curated approach to this mod, with some elements further tweaked from what you’ll find in the mod by default, while other elements were omitted.
• Scavenger Hunt: Wolf School Gear - Fixed an issue where the chest at the Signal Tower couldn't be opened.
• From Ofier's Distant Shores - Fixed an issue where the diagram in the chest at the bandit's hideout could be missing.
• Hard Times - Fixed an issue where Geralt couldn't talk or give the letter to the blacksmith.
• Swift as the Western Winds - Fixed an issue where the quest could sometimes fail despite winning the horse race.
• Echoes of the Past - Fixed an issue where, after defeating the Foglets, the quest could get stuck and it wouldn't be possible to talk to Yennefer.
• Wine Wars - Fixed an issue where the quest couldn't be completed if the player destroyed one of the required monster nests during exploration.
• Fixed an issue where clearing the Ruined Inn Abandoned Site situated on the southern shore of Ard Skellig was not possible in certain scenarios.
• Fixed an issue where the Grandmaster Wolven Set wouldn't require Mastercrafted items.
• Various small fixes to quests and cutscenes.

Remember – these are just the highlights! There are lots of changes in this update, so check them out for yourself in the game!

[theshadowcult]

Awesome, thanks for that.

[Megaman]

Looks like it has gone live. I think the game shows as The Witcher Wild hunt complete edition.

Shame I have no space on my HDD to install and take a peek.

[theshadowcult]

i just installed some gamepass stuff. I really want to play it again, but i dont have room either.

[KAC]

Looks good. May play some of it at least.

[mizzer]

I'll launch it and play around a bit. Not sure if I have the time for a third play through.

[Destroy]

But will it ruin my booby mods?

[KAC]

Seems like CD strikes again. Game is a stuttering mess with RT on.

[Megaman]

Quick look, Game stutters real bad. Textures look good, RT looks fantastic, Yennefer looks amazing as always.

Needs a patch.

[Mangler]

What happened, did they get backstabbed by their internal QA team this time?

[Megaman]

Good thing no one paid for this update.