Release Notes for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered

5.00 PATCH SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2026

Visual and Rendering

• Implemented an improved shading model.
• Updated multiple textures and models based on assets from The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project.
• Improved lighting and shading for grass and foliage.
• Updated the visual effects of Signs, including their upgrade versions.
• Added new visual effects for skills.
• The game now features native DirectX 12 rendering with multithreading for better performance and visuals.
• Updated tone mapping for improved colors, lighting, contrast and detail.
• Added GTAO (Ground Truth Ambient Occlusion) as a new Screen Space Ambient Occlusion option.
• Added Ray-Traced Local Shadows.
• Updated Screen Space Reflections.
• Updated Screen Space Shadows.
• Updated the HDR calibration panel by adding new options and other improvements.
• Improved Motion Blur with a higher-quality, more cinematic look.
• Updated Subsurface Scattering for more natural skin rendering.
• Improved terrain and material rendering for more natural lighting, shadows, reflections, and highlights.
• Implemented new Image-Based Lighting (IBL) for improved ambient lighting and reflections across different environments.
• Reworked Bloom for more improved lighting effects across different environments.

Gameplay

• Improved the skill system. Skills are now organized into a skill tree and each skill has three ranks. Unlocking new skills now requires having the necessary prerequisite skills rather than spending a set number of skill points. IMPORTANT: As a result of these changes, your skill points have been reset.
• Rebalanced the skill tree by refining skill bonus values, effects and synergies.
• Renamed some skills to better reflect their effects.
• You can now Reforge your equipment to change its appearance without affecting its stats. Only master craftsmen (Yoana and Hattori) offer this service. Unlock appearances by adding new equipment and crafting diagrams to your inventory. Dyes from Blood and Wine applied to equipment will carry over to the reforged item.
• Polished the combat behavior of many non-boss monsters, including their attack patterns, counterattacks, movement, reactions, flight and the application of effects.
• Added a new "Horse control input sensitivity" slider in Settings → Controls.
• Improved Roach's and Geralt's movement, player control and animations:
• Refined Geralt's jumping animation so that it feels more natural and polished. Note: This doesn't affect jump distance and height.
• Added new finisher animations for Geralt.
• Added new idle animations for Geralt.
• Improved Geralt's ledge climbing, ladder climbing and vaulting animations as well as his speed for more responsive, fluid movement.
• Improved Geralt's gap closing animations in combat for smoother gameplay.
• Added a new exploration camera with increased FOV.
• Added a new dynamic combat camera to increase visibility when fighting enemies.
• Improved target-lock switching when moving the camera in combat.
• Updated collision avoidance when riding Roach.
• Polished animations for mounting and dismounting Roach, as well as cantering and galloping.

UI/UX

• Meditation now features a timelapse instead of a UI screen for a more immersive feel.
• The skill screen is now reorganized into a more intuitive skill tree layout.
• Updated the map screen to make switching between tracked quests easier. Untracked quests now have a distinct marker and can be tracked by selecting it.
• Increased the number of maximum markers on the map.
• Added new map markers.
• You can now hide herbs, boats and corpses on the minimap in Settings → Video → Interface for a cleaner, less distracting view.
• Improved quest notifications by combining quest updates into a single HUD notification.
• Nearby loot can now be grouped into a single window, so you no longer need to browse through multiple loot windows. You can enable this feature in Settings → Gameplay.
• Added a loot feed that displays recently collected items on the left side of the screen. You can disable it in Settings → Gameplay.
• Added item tooltips to the loot window, allowing you to preview an item's details before picking it up.
• Renamed the "HUD Configuration" section in Settings to "Interface".
• Updated the CD PROJEKT RED Account connection, My Rewards and telemetry consent menus.

Photo Mode

• Updated the Photo Mode UI and vastly expanded its features and options:
• You can now choose from multiple different characters to place in your shot.
• Added a selection of poses and expressions for Geralt and placeable characters.
• Added a confirmation prompt before exiting Photo Mode to help prevent accidental exits.
• You can now lock the camera position in Photo Mode to make sure you capture the perfect shot.
• Added the option to apply different environment presets to your scene.
• Added the option to save camera presets, allowing you to save and reuse camera positions and angles.
• You can now change the aspect ratio of your screenshot.
• Added the option to toggle a first-person camera mode so you can see the world through Geralt's eyes.
• You can now enable or disable camera collisions with objects and walls.
• Set the perfect scene by changing the weather and time of day.
• Adjust the intensity of weather effects like rain or storms.
• Added an option to toggle Rule of Thirds lines in various aspect ratios, with optional cinematic black bars.
• Camera coordinates will now be visible in the UI.
• Added an option to hide surrounding NPCs.
• Added placeable props, giving you even more ways to create the perfect scene. Just don't ask where they all came from.
• The cursor is now visible in Photo Mode on PC when using a mouse.

Accessibility

• Added a new Accessibility section to the Settings menu. Moved existing accessibility-related options there.
• Added the Bard's Ballad preset. You can enable it when starting a new game on the Just the Story difficulty or during the game in the Accessibility section. It is designed to reduce cognitive load for players who experience mental fatigue or have difficulty concentrating. It streamlines gameplay by simplifying certain mechanics and disabling select features for a smoother, more focused adventure. You can enable the preset in the Accessibility tab and customize it by enabling or disabling the following options:
• Vitality Regeneration Boost - Gives the possibility to adjust its activation threshold ("Activates below (%) Vitality") and the rate at which Vitality increases ("Regeneration Intensity").
• Infinite Breath - Geralt can't run out of oxygen while swimming and diving.
• Unlimited Item Durability - Your gear will never wear down, so there's no need to visit craftsmen for repairs.
• Unlimited Boat Durability - Boats are indestructible, making jagged rocks and sirens no longer a concern.
• Ignore Item Weight - Travel the Path carrying as much as you want.
• Faster Boats - Sail faster across the seas. The seas around Skellige just got a little bit smaller.
• Toggle Witcher Sense - Toggle on and off without having to hold the button.

Quality of Life

• Streamlined tutorials to keep them concise and focused on teaching core game mechanics. We think Vesemir would approve.
• Added an option to quickly disengage from combat. Hold the dodge button (Alt/〇/B) to unlock from your target, then press the sprint button (L Shift/X/A) to run away.
• You can now collect loot without dismounting Roach.

Modding

• Added Cross Platform Mod Support, an in-game tool powered by mod.io that allows you to easily browse and install player-created mods to customize your game. You can find it in the game's main menu in Mods. Log in with your CD PROJEKT RED Account, connect it to mod.io and start browsing. You can find more information about the Mod Manager here.
• Various engine, UI and other improvements for REDkit, making it easier for modders to create, manage and customize their content.

Fixes

• Fixed an issue where it wasn't possible to change Right Stick Sensitivity if the settings were accessed directly from the main menu.
• It's now possible to set Stick Sensitivity to the value of 0.69.
• Fixed an issue where HDR settings would sometimes not appear on consoles.
• In the Eternal Fire's Shadow - Fixed an issue where the Forgotten Wolf School Gear Diagrams weren't displayed in the UI after being received as a reward.
• Wine is Sacred – Fixed an issue where fast traveling out of Toussaint during the "Search the wine cellar with Anna Henrietta" objective could block quest progression. This fix is not retroactive, so players who encountered this issue will need to load a save from before it occurred.

Other

• Added Ukrainian text localization.
• Added support for Xbox Play Anywhere.

PC-specific

IMPORTANT: Make sure you have the latest graphics drivers installed. Grab them here: NVIDIA, AMD, Intel.

• Added support for Path Tracing.
• Added support for NVIDIA DLSS 4.5, together with Ray Reconstruction.
• Added support for AMD FSR 4, including Frame Generation and Anti-Lag 2. FSR 4 is supported on AMD Radeon RX 7000 Series and newer graphics cards. On unsupported GPUs, the game will use FSR 2 instead.
• Added support for Intel XeSS 2.0, together with Frame Generation and Low Latency.
• Added Ray-Traced HairWorks for improved lighting and shading on hair.
• Added support for DualSense controller haptic feedback.

4.02 PATCH MARCH 13TH, 2023

• Improved CPU core utilization in the DX 12 version.
• Restored horizon-based ambient occlusion. Players who had previously turned Ambient - Occlusion off will need to do so again. You can find it in Options → Video → Graphics.
• Fixed an issue where the "My Rewards" section was not localized in REDlauncher.
• Fixed an issue with a flickering landscape in Toussaint that occurred when NVIDIA HairWorks was disabled.
• Fixed an issue related to particle optimization which could result in temporary stuttering.

4.01 PATCH FEBRUARY 2ND, 2023

• Fixed an issue where the Screen Space Reflections setting wasn't working on PC despite being turned on. Players who had previously set their SSR setting to high may notice a performance impact.
• Added a new performance mode for ray-traced global illumination, which can be toggled by players with compatible hardware. It improves frame rate by prioritizing performance over range and precision.

4.00 HOTFIX DECEMBER 19TH, 2022

• Overlays fixed
• Performance improvements
• Stability Improvements

PATCH 4.00 DECEMBER 14TH, 2022

• Added ray traced global illumination and ambient occlusion.

• Additionally, PC players with compatible hardware have an additional option to turn on ray traced reflections and shadows.

• Added various mods and mod-inspired content to the game to improve visuals and overall game quality. We’ve included some community-made favorites in addition to our own modifications in areas such as environment and cutscene improvements, realistic pavements, and many decoration upgrades.

• Community-made and community-inspired mods include:

  • The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project by HalkHogan
  • HD Monsters Reworked by Denroth
  • Immersive Real-time Cutscenes by teiji25
  • Nitpicker's Patch by chuckcash
  • World Map Fixes by Terg500

• Upscaled texture to 4K for various characters, including Geralt, Yennefer, Triss, Ciri, Eredin and more.

• All main characters, including Geralt, now cast high-resolution self-shadowing even outside cutscenes. - Additionally, hair clipping through armor as well as some other armor-clipping issues have been fixed.

• Environmental improvements:

  • Added a new weather type – "Gray Sky"
  • Updated sky textures
  • Vegetation and water improvements
  • Various mesh improvements
  • Improved some select VFX
  • Updated global environmental lighting

• Added AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution (FSR) 2.1

• Added photo mode, allowing players to take stunning pictures within the world of The Witcher 3.

• Added the option to pause the game during cutscenes.

• Added an alternative camera option that's closer to the player's character and that reacts more dynamically to combat and movement. You can find this new setting in Options → Gameplay under Exploration, Combat, and Horseback Camera Distance.

• Added “ULTRA+” graphical settings on PC, which significantly increases the visual fidelity of the game. The graphical settings available on ULTRA+ affect:

  • Number of background characters
  • Shadow quality
  • Grass density
  • Texture quality
  • Foliage visibility range
  • Terrain quality
  • Water quality
  • Detail level

• Added DLSS 3 support. Available only on compatible hardware. Next-Gen Console-Specifc

  Online Features

• Added a cross-progression feature between platforms. Your latest saves will be automatically uploaded to the cloud so you can easily pick up where you left off on other platforms. Cross-progression provides the latest save for every save type. This feature becomes available after you log into your account.

• By signing up to MY REWARDS in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, players can receive:

  • Swords of the Nine-Tailed Vixen
  • White Tiger of the West Armor
  • Dol Blathanna Armor Set
  • Roach Card

• Detailed information on how to redeem the rewards will be available from Dec 14th, 1 AM CET at thewitcher.com/my-rewards.

Additional Content

• Added a new side quest, In The Eternal Fire's Shadow, in Velen. Rewards are inspired by Neftlix's The Witcher series.
• Added an alternative appearance for Dandelion inspired by Netflix's The Witcher series. You can enable it in Options → Gameplay.
• Added an alternative Nilfgaardian Armor set inspired by Netflix's The Witcher series. You can enable it in Options → Gameplay.
• Added Chinese and Korean voice-over. Availability on consoles varies by region.

Quality of Life Changes

• Added a Quick Sign Casting option. It allows signs to be switched and cast without opening the radial menu. You can find it in Options → Gameplay.
• Added a new default map filter. The new filter hides some icons such as "?" and boat icons in order to reduce icon clutter on the map. These icons can be turned back on with the “All” map mode toggle.
• Adjusted the minimum height for fall damage, allowing the player to survive falls from higher heights. Herbs can now be instantly looted with a single interaction – without the additional loot window.
• Added options that dynamically hide the minimap and quest objectives when not in combat or using Witcher senses. You can find it in Options → Video → HUD Configuration → Hide minimap during Exploration and Hide objectives during Exploration.
• Added the option to slow walk when playing with a controller. You can now slow walk by lightly pushing the left stick forward.
• Added an alternative sprint mode option when playing with a controller. It's activated by tapping the left stick. You can find it in Options → Control Settings.
• Added an option to make target-lock unnaffected by camera inversion. You can find it in Options → Control Settings.
• Improved the radial menu so bombs, bolts and pocket items can now be switched dynamically without opening the inventory.
• Added the option to scale the font size for subtitles, NPC chatter and dialogue choices. You can find it in Options → Video → HUD Configuration.
• Added various other small fixes, tweaks, and quality of life changes, including a few secrets to be discovered by players.

Gameplay

• Added the mod Full Combat Rebalance 3 by Flash_in_the_flesh which includes balance changes and various fixes to gameplay. We took a curated approach to this mod, with some elements further tweaked from what you’ll find in the mod by default, while other elements were omitted.
• Scavenger Hunt: Wolf School Gear - Fixed an issue where the chest at the Signal Tower couldn't be opened.
• From Ofier's Distant Shores - Fixed an issue where the diagram in the chest at the bandit's hideout could be missing.
• Hard Times - Fixed an issue where Geralt couldn't talk or give the letter to the blacksmith. Swift as the Western Winds - Fixed an issue where the quest could sometimes fail despite winning the horse race.
• Echoes of the Past - Fixed an issue where, after defeating the Foglets, the quest could get stuck and it wouldn't be possible to talk to Yennefer.
• Wine Wars - Fixed an issue where the quest couldn't be completed if the player destroyed one of the required monster nests during exploration.
• Fixed an issue where clearing the Ruined Inn Abandoned Site situated on the southern shore of Ard Skellig was not possible in certain scenarios.
• Fixed an issue where the Grandmaster Wolven Set wouldn't require Mastercrafted items.
• Various small fixes to quests and cutscenes. Remember – these are just the highlights! There are lots of changes in this update, so check them out for yourself in the game!

Update 1.32 (14 November 2018)

• added official ZHS (Simplified Chinese language) support

Update 1.31(A) (22 March 2017)

• Added support for Cloud Saves in GOG Galaxy 1.2 and newer