The Witcher 3 PS5 and Xbox Series X release date is still planned for 2022

The Witcher 3
(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Update: Sorry, Witcher fans, but The Witcher 3 next-gen ports aren't arriving today, but they are still planned to arrive this year.

CD Projekt Red announced that detail in a video earlier today, but at the same time also announced a whole bunch of new projects. We now know that The Witcher 4 will be part of a trilogy to include The Witcher 5 and 6, and that another, previously unknown game called Project Canis Majoris is in development externally from CDPR. So while you might have a while to wait before returning to Geralt's third adventure, you'll be getting plenty more from The Witcher universe in the future.

Original story: Much to the delight of Witcher fans, it's claimed that CD Projekt Red is ready to announce a release date for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

The rumour stems from a Reddit user who just hours ago posted on The Witcher 3 subreddit that the launch date for the shiny new-gen versions would be revealed "within 24 hours". This is unconfirmed and so should be taken with a pinch of salt, but it does tie in nicely with the CD Projekt Group's "strategy update", which the company has scheduled for later today. Further fuelling speculation of a release date reveal are several CD Projekt staff members who've been hyping up the strategy call on Twitter.

With a release date announcement potentially only hours away, Witcher fans have been sharing their excitement on Reddit. Many players have been putting off replaying the game so that they can take advantage of new-gen improvements like faster load times and ray-traced visuals. "Ayye finally, I've been holding off on another playthrough of the Witcher 3 for 2 years," says one user. "I've completed the main game during its launch year. I just re-downloaded again and waiting for the upgrade," replies another. 

Some have been avoiding the game entirely so they can experience it for the first time with all the modern bells and whistles. "I've been holding off my very first playthrough waiting for it," comments user Alice_June. "Really looking forward to it, I'm going in almost completely blind, and I just need to wait a little longer."

The new-gen port of The Witcher 3 was unveiled all the way back in 2020. Earlier this year, CD Projekt Red announced that it was taking development of the title in-house and so delayed its release to allow for more time to work on the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions. It's currently targeting a Q4 release (October – December).

In the mood for more epic adventures? Check out our guide to games like Witcher 3.

Anne-Marie Ostler
Freelance Writer

Originally from Ireland, I moved to the UK in 2014 to pursue a Games Journalism and PR degree at Staffordshire University. Following that, I've freelanced for GamesMaster, Games TM, Official PlayStation Magazine and, more recently, Play and GamesRadar+. My love of gaming sprang from successfully defeating that first Goomba in Super Mario Bros on the NES. These days, PlayStation is my jam. When not gaming or writing, I can usually be found scouring the internet for anything Tomb Raider related to add to my out of control memorabilia collection.

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