CD Projekt Red has announced that the first significant public showcase for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Songs of the Past will take place during Gamescom 2026’s Opening Night Live on August 25. Fans can expect a glimpse of the expansion during the show, which streams at 11am PT / 2pm ET / 8pm CEST.
The third major expansion for the 2015 RPG was officially revealed on May 27, 2026. It marks a surprise return to Geralt of Rivia more than a decade after Blood and Wine launched in 2016. CD Projekt Red describes the project as a full expansion rather than smaller downloadable content, emphasizing that it will deliver substantial new story, characters, and gameplay hours.
Development and Team Behind the Expansion
CD Projekt Red is co-developing Songs of the Past with Polish studio Fool’s Theory. The partner studio is composed of industry veterans who previously contributed to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. CD Projekt Red maintains creative oversight to ensure the expansion stays true to the series’ quality and tone.
Around 190 developers are currently working on the project in its advanced production phase, with the majority coming from Fool’s Theory. This team size is notably large for an expansion and comparable to the core development resources once dedicated to the original The Witcher 3.
No specific writers or quest designers have been publicly credited yet. Music elements appear likely to involve returning collaborators, given past hints and community speculation around groups like Percival and composer P.T. Adamczyk.
What We Know So Far
- Story and Scope: Players will once again take control of Geralt for a brand-new adventure. CD Projekt Red has confirmed the expansion’s scale is closer to Blood and Wine than Hearts of Stone. Exact playtime will vary by player style, but it is positioned as a “proper big expansion” with significant new content.
- Platforms and Release: Songs of the Past launches in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It is current-generation only.
- Additional Content: New Gwent cards and content are confirmed.
- Teases: Subtle hints appeared in earlier Belleteyn celebration materials shared by the studio. The title itself suggests themes of memory, ballads, and echoes from Geralt’s past.
- Release Timeline Shift: The expansion was originally planned for 2026 but was moved to 2027 to deliver the best possible experience.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has now sold more than 60 million copies and remains one of the most awarded games in history. The new expansion arrives as CD Projekt Red also develops The Witcher 4 (starring Ciri) and supports other projects. Songs of the Past is not described as a direct narrative bridge to the next mainline title, but it offers fans another substantial story with Geralt before that chapter begins.
Looking Ahead to August 25
With the Gamescom reveal just weeks away, expectations are high for the first proper trailer, gameplay footage, or deeper story details. Historically, CD Projekt Red has used guided presentations for Witcher titles rather than hands-on demos at such events.
More information is also promised for late summer 2026, so the Opening Night Live appearance will likely kick off a broader marketing push leading into the 2027 launch.
Fans eager for more Geralt adventures after over ten years have plenty to look forward to. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Songs of the Past promises to deliver another memorable chapter in one of gaming’s most beloved worlds.
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