Is The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update a Separate Game?
The short answer is: no, the Witcher 3 Next-Gen update is not a separate game. It’s a substantial free upgrade for existing owners of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Instead of being a new title, it’s a major patch that enhances the original game with a range of visual and performance improvements, along with some additional content. Think of it as a significant remaster rather than a standalone release. You don’t need to repurchase the game if you already own it on one of the eligible platforms.
This free upgrade is designed to bring the acclaimed title into the current generation of gaming, leveraging the enhanced capabilities of the new consoles and modern PCs. The aim is to provide a significantly improved experience for both veteran players and newcomers, ensuring that The Witcher 3 remains a stunning and relevant game for years to come.
What Does the Next-Gen Update Entail?
The next-gen update isn’t just a minor graphical tweak; it represents a significant overhaul across multiple aspects of the game. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Visual Enhancements: The most noticeable changes are the increased resolutions of textures. This includes Geralt, major NPCs, monsters, sky, weather, and vegetation, all upscaled to 4K resolution. The visual fidelity of pavements, environments, cinematics, and decorations has also been dramatically improved, creating a much more detailed and immersive world.
- Performance Improvements: The update makes use of the improved hardware of the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PCs to offer smoother frame rates and faster loading times. This leads to a more responsive and fluid gameplay experience.
- New Content: The update also includes new DLC content inspired by the Netflix series, “The Witcher.” This adds additional quests and items, providing new avenues of gameplay.
- Quality of Life Improvements: One key improvement is a new camera angle. This change provides a more immersive experience, especially during combat and exploration.
- Cross-Progression: This important feature allows players to transfer their save files between different platforms. You can store your most recent manual save, auto-save, and checkpoint save in the GOG cloud, making it easy to continue your progress regardless of the platform you’re playing on.
How to Obtain the Next-Gen Upgrade
The method of obtaining the upgrade is straightforward for those who own the game on the appropriate platforms.
On PlayStation 5:
- Sign in to your existing account on your PS5 console.
- Find The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in the PlayStation Store or by searching.
- Go to the game hub for the game.
- Select the “Free PS5 Upgrade” option, typically on the right side of the screen and accept the offer.
On Xbox Series X|S:
The process is similar to PS5, and the upgrade will often automatically appear as available.
On PC:
The game will likely prompt you to download the update on the game launcher.
Remember, to claim the upgrade with a physical copy of the game for PS4, you must first insert the disc into your PS5. Then, select the game from the main menu and find the option for the free upgrade in the game hub.
Region Considerations:
It’s crucial to note that your game’s region code needs to match the region of your account to obtain the free upgrade. This is a common restriction for digital content across many platforms.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
To provide even more clarity and detail about The Witcher 3 Next-Gen update, here are 15 frequently asked questions and answers:
1. Do I Need to Own the Base Game for the Next-Gen Update?
Yes, you must own a copy of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on either PS4, Xbox One, or PC to be eligible for the free next-gen upgrade. Owning just the expansions won’t grant you access to the free upgrade.
2. Does the Next-Gen Upgrade Include All DLC?
The free upgrade includes the base game improvements and Netflix DLC content. However, the two expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, may require separate purchases if you don’t already own them, depending on your edition of the game. Complete Editions, such as the GOTY edition, include all DLC.
3. Will My Save Files Transfer to the Next-Gen Version?
Yes, cross-progression is supported. You can use the GOG cloud to store your save files and continue your progress seamlessly on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
4. Do I Need to Start a New Game After Upgrading?
No, you don’t need to start a new game. You can load your old save file and continue from where you left off. The upgrade will be applied to your existing game.
5. Is the Next-Gen Update Available on PS4 and Xbox One?
No, the next-gen upgrade is specifically designed for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. While PS4 and Xbox One offer backwards compatibility, the upgrade itself is not available on those platforms.
6. How Big is the Next-Gen Patch?
The size of the next-generation patch can vary but is around 50GB. This is a substantial patch due to the numerous improvements it offers.
7. Will I Lose My Trophies/Achievements?
Unfortunately, trophies and achievements do not transfer over when you bring your save data to the next-gen version. You will have to re-earn them.
8. Is the New Camera Mode a Significant Change?
Yes, the new camera angle offers a more immersive and dynamic experience, particularly in combat and exploration. This improves the feeling of being part of the game world.
9. When Was the Next-Gen Upgrade Released?
The Witcher 3 next-gen update was released on December 14, 2022.
10. What if I Want to Revert to the Old Version?
On PC (Steam) it is possible to revert to the older version through the Betas tab in the game properties menu. Select ‘CLASSIC’ to revert to the pre-upgrade version.
11. What Visual Enhancements Does the Update Bring?
The update features significant improvements to textures, upscaled to 4K resolution, as well as enhanced environments, cinematics, and decorations.
12. Is the Witcher 3 HD Reworked Mod Necessary With the Next-Gen Update?
The HD Reworked Project is a fantastic mod, but the next-gen update makes it less necessary for many players. The official upgrade provides similar or better enhancements and is officially supported.
13. How does the Next-Gen update compare to the original game?
The next-gen update is far superior to the original game, with improved graphics, performance, and quality-of-life features. It revitalizes the experience for those familiar with the original release.
14. Is it Worth Playing The Witcher 3 Again After This Update?
Absolutely. The next-gen upgrade provides a compelling reason to revisit the world of The Witcher 3. The visual and performance improvements, coupled with new content, make it feel fresh and engaging.
15. Does the Game of the Year (GOTY) edition have all DLC on disk?
Yes, the GOTY edition includes all DLC, both free and expansions, on the disc.
Conclusion
In summary, the Witcher 3 Next-Gen update is not a separate game but rather a substantial free upgrade that enhances the original experience significantly. With improved graphics, new content, better performance, and quality-of-life changes, it’s a worthwhile update for anyone who owns the game on eligible platforms. It breathes new life into a beloved classic, ensuring that Geralt’s adventures continue to captivate gamers for years to come.