CD Projekt Red has confirmed that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past will be revealed during the gamescom 2026 Opening Night Live showcase. The expansion, which is being co-developed with Fool’s Theory, is scheduled for a 2027 release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The development team is comprised of industry veterans
who previously worked on The Witcher 3.
CD Projekt Red Announces Songs of the Past Reveal for Gamescom 2026
Strategic Scheduling and the Impact of 2026 Blockbusters
The decision to push the release of Songs of the Past into 2027 was a calculated move by CD Projekt Red management. While the studio’s initial plans assumed a release this year, the Polish publisher made a strategic choice to avoid a direct marketing collision with Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 6, which is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026. Management decided to stagger the releases to ensure the American blockbuster did not dominate the entire media landscape. This shift is intended to allow the new content to receive maximum attention from both the gaming press and the target audience after the initial global excitement surrounding the competition has subsided. The developers also plan to use the additional time to enhance the final version’s polish and optimize gameplay for current platforms.
CD Projekt joint CEO Michał Nowakowski addressed the timeline, noting that the priority is delivering a high-quality experience for existing fans. “We decided together with the development team, that the game will be launching in 2027, to be honest, to achieve the best possible result from the consumer standpoint, which in the end, frankly speaking, is the only ultimate thing that really matters,” Nowakowski stated.
Michał Nowakowski Defers Release Date to 2027 to Avoid Grand Theft Auto 6
Gamescom 2026: Hands-On and Reveal Details
Fans and media will get their first official look at the expansion during the gamescom 2026 Opening Night Live ceremony, hosted by Geoff Keighley. Beyond the ceremony, CD Projekt Red will showcase the title on the gamescom exhibition floor. Guided presentations for the expansion will be held in the business area, specifically at booth B065 in Hall 4.2, from August 26 to August 28. Further showcases will be available in the entertainment area at booths B030 and A031 in Hall 8.1, from August 26 to August 30.
Geoff Keighley Hosts Opening Night Live Reveal for The Witcher 3 Expansion
Narrative Context and Franchise Strategy
Songs of the Past returns players to the role of legendary monster slayer Geralt of Rivia for a brand new adventure. According to Michał Nowakowski, the expansion is intended to be a standalone story set after the events of The Witcher 3, while also acting as a prologue of sorts
to the upcoming The Witcher 4. Nowakowski noted that while the expansion helps maintain certain chatter
about the Witcher 3 setting, the primary goal remains providing a “really cool expansion that’s going to make people happy that they can come back to The Witcher 3 setting.”
Laura Beitzel Teases Belleteyn Night Clues for Geralt of Rivia’s New Journey
Visual clues regarding the expansion’s story have already begun to surface. During a 10th-anniversary livestream celebrating Blood and Wine, senior community and social media manager Laura Beitzel teased the importance of a new sword wielded by Geralt. She pointed fans toward artwork and a poem shared on social media in April, which depicted Geralt resting by a bonfire as his companion Dandelion played the lute. We won't give too much away right now because we want you to experience it as you play,
Beitzel said, urging fans to look for clues related to Belleteyn Night.
As the studio prepares for the gamescom reveal, they have positioned the project as a significant addition to the 2015 base game, which has sold more than 65 million copies and won over 1,000 industry awards, including more than 250 Game of the Year titles. This expansion is part of a broader long-term strategy that includes the development of The Witcher 4 and a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077.
Sources: IGN, CD Projekt Red.
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