The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered reached 120,975 concurrent players on Steam, surpassing its previous peak of 103,329 set in January 2020 during the height of the Netflix series. The updated version launched on September 29, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2, bringing free upgrades and technical changes to the 2015 role-playing game.
Steam Record Broken on Valve Platform
The 2026 relaunch outperformed the historical peak achieved over six years prior. The previous high-water mark occurred during the initial wave of the television adaptation. Because Steam metrics exclude console players and external digital storefronts, the actual total player count across all supported platforms is higher.
CD Projekt Red updates graphics and technical requirements
The update includes native DirectX 12 rendering, multithreading support, improved shadow models, updated textures from the HD Reworked Project, and ray-traced hair effects via HairWorks. CD Projekt Red also updated the tone map for better contrast and colors, added Ground Truth Ambient Occlusion (GTAO), and improved the HDR calibration panel. The studio updated screen space reflections and shadows, while Subsurface Scattering was updated for more natural skin rendering. The team also improved vegetation lighting and shading, and added new visual effects for abilities and Signs. Running the game with full Path Tracing in 4K resolution requires a GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card alongside Frame Generation to achieve 60 frames per second. CD Projekt noted that higher resolutions significantly affected FPS, and that minimum Ray Tracing, recommended Ray Tracing, and Path Tracing performance results were measured with DLSS, FSR, or XeSS set to Automatic. For 1440p gameplay with Ray Tracing at 60 fps, players need a GeForce RTX 4080 or Radeon RX 9070 XT and 24GB of RAM, while 1080p High settings at 60 fps recommend a GeForce RTX 2060, Radeon RX 6600 XT, or Arc B580.
CD Projekt Red issues hotfix for lighting
The initial release drew criticism for exaggerated lighting in certain scenes and overly dark interiors, prompting CD Projekt Red to issue a rapid hotfix. Some critics noted that HDR could make these effects more noticeable. Owners of the original game also received free access to both major story expansions, “Hearts of Stone” and “Blood and Wine,” upgraded with the same technical enhancements.
CD Projekt Red refines gameplay and expands content
The full changelog features polished monster combat behaviors, refined character movement animations, updated skill trees, and a transmog system allowing players to alter their armor appearance without losing statistical bonuses. This service is only offered by master crafters Hattori and Yoana. Additional quality-of-life additions include expanded Photo Mode options, improved quest tracking with distinct markers for unmapped tasks, and a third upcoming expansion titled “Songs of the Past,” scheduled for release in 2027. CD Projekt Red did not rebuild the RPG from scratch, instead focusing on accessibility, comfort, and progression. The map now supports more markers and includes new ones. Motion blur was also updated for a more cinematic look.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Witcher 3 Remastered
Which platforms received the remaster update?
The updated version is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2, with digital availability spanning Steam, Epic Games, Battle.net, and GOG.
Are the expansions included for existing owners?
Yes, players who already own the base game receive both “Hearts of Stone” and “Blood and Wine” expansions for free, complete with all new graphical and gameplay upgrades.
What hardware is required for 4K Path Tracing?
Achieving 60 fps with full Path Tracing in 4K resolution requires a GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card utilizing Frame Generation technology.
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