After years of rumors and speculation, the long-rumored third expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt appears to be inching closer to reality. A new financial report from CD Projekt Red has added substantial weight to the whispers, suggesting that the unannounced project could launch within the next six months.
What the Report Says
In its latest earnings update, CD Projekt Red stated: “In the coming quarters, the Studio will focus primarily on further development work on ongoing projects; we also plan to publish one of the heretofore unannounced gaming projects”. While the company did not explicitly name the project, industry observers and fans are nearly unanimous in their conclusion: this refers to the long-rumored Witcher 3 DLC.
The phrasing “in the coming quarters” typically translates to a window of roughly six months, though it could extend slightly depending on how the financial quarters are counted. This aligns with earlier insider claims that the expansion is targeting a summer 2026 release.
Bridging the Gap
The rumored DLC has been described as a narrative bridge between The Witcher 3 and the upcoming The Witcher 4 (codenamed Polaris). While CDPR has confirmed that Ciri will be the protagonist of the next mainline game, this expansion could offer players a smoother transition by exploring the events that set her on her new path. It would also allow Geralt to have a proper send-off, should the story demand it.
The expansion is reportedly being developed in partnership with Fool’s Theory, the studio also working on the Witcher remake. This collaboration would allow CDPR to keep its core teams focused on The Witcher 4 while still delivering quality content for the beloved third entry.
Setting and Scope
Early rumors pointed to the far-off land of Zerrikania as the setting, but more recent speculation suggests the action may take place in the northern kingdoms of Kovir or Poviss —regions rich with political intrigue and potential for new stories. Either location would offer a fresh backdrop distinct from the swamps of Velen or the wine-soaked hills of Toussaint.
As for length, fans are naturally comparing the project to Hearts of Stone (10–15 hours) and Blood and Wine (15–20 hours for the main story, double for completionists). Given the gap since the last expansion and the narrative significance, many hope for something closer to the scale of Blood and Wine, but even a shorter, focused story would be welcome.
Also, Read
- New Official The Witcher Game Drops Today, Geralt Returns
- The Witcher Remake Has a Reported Release Year, and It’s a Long Wait
- New Witcher 3 Mod Lets You Play as Ciri in a Prequel Quest, as Official DLC Rumors Swirl
When to Expect It
With CDPR’s financial roadmap pointing to a release in the coming quarters, a summer launch seems plausible. The annual Summer Game Fest in June would provide a massive stage for a shadow drop or a surprise announcement, generating immediate buzz without the need for a lengthy marketing campaign. The timing would also perfectly fill the gap while players wait for The Witcher 4, which is not expected until at least 2027.
For now, fans can only wait—and replay The Witcher 3 once more in preparation. The White Wolf may be taking a backseat to Ciri soon, but his world still has one last story to tell.