The announcement of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past has delighted fans of Geralt, but it comes with a bitter aftertaste for those eagerly awaiting The Witcher 4. CD Projekt Red’s latest expansion confirms what many suspected: the next mainline entry is still years away.
A Surprise Expansion, A Long Wait
Songs of the Past is co‑developed with Fool’s Theory (the studio behind the Witcher remake) and is scheduled for release in 2027 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. It marks the first major Witcher 3 DLC since Blood and Wine in 2016 – an 11‑year gap. While the expansion is exciting, its release window carries a clear implication: The Witcher 4 will not launch in 2027.
Why This Delays The Witcher 4
CD Projekt Red is a single‑studio developer (with support partners). Releasing a massive expansion for The Witcher 3 just before launching The Witcher IV would cannibalize sales and confuse the market. The studio is clearly taking its time to avoid a repeat of the Cyberpunk 2077 disaster. In recent interviews, CDPR leadership has emphasized the importance of polish and realistic timelines.
Fans now estimate that The Witcher IV – which stars Ciri as the protagonist – will arrive no earlier than late 2028, and possibly 2029. That’s a long wait, but it’s preferable to another bug‑ridden launch.
What We Know About Songs of the Past
Little has been revealed about Songs of the Past’s story, but it is being positioned as a final send‑off for Geralt of Rivia. Blood and Wine already gave the White Wolf a peaceful retirement in Toussaint, but this new expansion may bridge his story with Ciri’s upcoming journey. It could also offer hints about the plot of The Witcher IV and Geralt’s role in it.
Notably, the PC system requirements for Songs of the Past will change – CDPR has promised to share details later. The expansion will not be available on last‑gen consoles (PS4, Xbox One) or Nintendo Switch.
Also, Read
- CD Projekt Red says it “learned its lesson” – The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 will not repeat Cyberpunk 2077 mistakes
- The Witcher 3 Cow Demon Is A Hilarious Easter Egg You Likely Missed
- The Witcher’s New Multiplayer Game Gets Development Update We All Wanted To Hear
A Necessary Trade‑Off
Fans have been clamoring for The Witcher IV since the 2024 teaser trailer. But the news of a new Witcher 3 expansion is a double‑edged sword. Yes, the wait for the sequel will be longer. But the alternative – a rushed game – is far worse. CD Projekt Red learned that lesson the hard way.
For now, Geralt fans can celebrate one last adventure. The rest of us will mark our calendars for 2028… or 2029.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is available now on all major platforms. Songs of the Past arrives in 2027. The Witcher IV is expected late 2028 at the earliest.