Will Your Witcher 3 Saves Carry Over to Next-Gen? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, absolutely! Your saves from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will transfer to the next-gen versions on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, thanks to a brilliant cross-progression system implemented by CD Projekt Red in collaboration with GOG. This feature ensures you don’t have to leave your hard-earned progress behind when upgrading to the newer consoles. Whether you’re transitioning from a PlayStation 4 to a PS5, an Xbox One to an Xbox Series X/S, or even switching between the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S platforms, your journey as Geralt of Rivia can continue seamlessly. The system leverages the GOG cloud to store your save files, allowing you to access them across different devices.
How Does Cross-Progression Work in The Witcher 3?
The cross-progression system for The Witcher 3 is remarkably similar to the cross-save functionality seen in Cyberpunk 2077, another title from CD Projekt Red. Your most recent manual save, auto-save, and checkpoint save are all stored in the GOG cloud. This ensures that no matter where you last played, whether it was on your old console or your PC, you can easily pick up where you left off.
Uploading Your Saves
To transfer your saves, you’ll need to follow a simple process. First, ensure your copy of The Witcher 3 is updated to the latest version on your original platform (e.g., PlayStation 4 or Xbox One). Then:
- Start The Witcher 3 on your previous platform.
- Navigate to the load game menu.
- Press the left trigger (or the equivalent on your console) to enable cross-save.
- A QR code will appear on the screen. Scan this with your smartphone to log into your GOG account.
Your saves are now uploaded to the GOG cloud. On your next-gen console, the process is seamless: simply log into the same GOG account, and your most recent saves will be available to download and resume your adventure.
What’s Included in the Save Transfer?
The cross-progression system transfers all the essential elements of your gameplay:
- Your current progress in the main storyline and side quests.
- Your character’s level, abilities, and skills.
- Your inventory, including equipment, potions, and collected items.
- Your stored items within your stash.
This complete transfer ensures a smooth transition to the next-gen consoles without any loss of progression or resources.
Next-Gen Upgrade: Free But Expansions Need a Separate Purchase
The next-gen update for The Witcher 3 is completely free for all owners of the base game. This upgrade is more than just a simple graphical bump; it brings significant visual, performance, and technical enhancements, including ray tracing support and faster loading times on consoles.
However, it’s important to note that while the upgrade is free, the expansions – Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine – are not automatically included. You’ll need to purchase these separately if you don’t already own them. These expansions add significant content to the game, further enriching the world of The Witcher 3.
New Game Plus and Save Imports
New Game Plus (NG+)
The Witcher 3 also features New Game Plus (NG+), allowing players to start a fresh playthrough with many of their previous achievements carried over. In NG+, you keep your gold, abilities, and most of your gear, as well as items stored in your stash. However, map items like waypoints and signposts, as well as crafting schematics, do not carry over. NG+ is a great way to experience the game again with a more powerful character.
Importing Saves from The Witcher and The Witcher 2
For PC players, The Witcher 3 also allows for the importing of save files from The Witcher and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. This action imports many of the major choices you made in those games, influencing the story and the world around you in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This provides a sense of continuity and makes your journey feel more personal.
Important Notes About the Save Transfer
While the cross-progression system is largely comprehensive, there are some crucial aspects to keep in mind:
- Achievements: Achievements are platform-specific and won’t carry over. You will need to unlock them again on your next-gen console.
- Cloud Saves: Your latest saves are automatically uploaded to the cloud, ensuring you always have a backup.
- Save File Locations (PC): On PC, your save files are stored by default in
C:UsersusernameDocumentsThe Witcher 3.
Conclusion
The ability to seamlessly carry over your Witcher 3 saves to next-gen consoles is a fantastic feature. It honors the time and effort players have put into the game and makes the transition to the enhanced visuals and performance of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S effortless. You can continue Geralt’s adventures with all your progress intact, making it the best possible experience for long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will my saves from PS4 to PS5 work?
Yes, absolutely. The cross-save feature allows you to transfer your save data from your PlayStation 4 to your PlayStation 5.
2. Can I transfer saves from Xbox One to Xbox Series X/S?
Yes, similar to PlayStation, your Xbox One saves can be transferred seamlessly to your Xbox Series X/S console via the GOG cloud system.
3. Do I need a GOG account to use cross-saves?
Yes, a GOG account is required to use the cross-save functionality. This account is what links your save data between platforms.
4. Is the next-gen update free?
Yes, the next-gen update is completely free for all owners of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
5. Do I have to repurchase the expansions for the next-gen version?
Yes, if you do not already own them, the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions need to be purchased separately, even with the free next-gen update.
6. What is the max level in Witcher 3?
The maximum level in The Witcher 3 is 70 in the base game and when playing with Hearts of Stone. The Blood and Wine expansion increases the cap to level 100.
7. Does Witcher 3 support cloud saves?
Yes, cloud saves are supported, and your latest saves are automatically uploaded so you can easily continue on other platforms.
8. Does Witcher 2 save affect Witcher 3?
Yes, if you play The Witcher 3 on PC, you can import your save files from The Witcher 2 to influence the story of The Witcher 3.
9. What is New Game Plus (NG+) in The Witcher 3?
New Game Plus (NG+) allows you to restart the game with most of your progress intact, including your gold, abilities, and gear, but not map progress or crafting schematics.
10. Will I lose my saves if I uninstall Witcher 3 on PS4?
No, saves are stored separately and will not be deleted if you uninstall the game. You can also back them up onto a USB stick or the PSN Cloud.
11. Does the Witcher 3 next-gen upgrade include all DLC?
The next-gen upgrade includes all official DLCs and upgrades released for the game, but does not automatically include the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions.
12. Are Witcher 3 achievements cross-platform?
No, achievements are platform-specific and will need to be unlocked again when transferring your saves between platforms.
13. What is enemy upscaling in The Witcher 3?
Enemy upscaling ensures the amount of experience Geralt gains, and the items he receives, are proportionate to your level, and also increases the level of bosses.
14. How long does it take to 100% Witcher 3?
Completing the main story will take around 56 hours, while 100% completion can take around 188 hours.
15. Where are my PC save files for The Witcher 3 located?
PC save files are located in the C:UsersusernameDocumentsThe Witcher 3 directory. You can also access this folder by pressing “Windows+R” and entering %UserProfile%DocumentsThe Witcher 3gamesaves.