CD Projekt is remastering The Witcher 3 and rolling out a surprise third expansion, and the company’s lead writer says he is ready to make changes to the beloved game. Marcin Blacha, vice president of narration and story director on the game’s two expansions, told PC Gamer that The Witcher 3 is “not untouchable.”
“I still find some places that I think maybe nowadays, I would do it differently,” Blacha said.
Blacha’s Take
Blacha framed the remaster as an opportunity rather than a risk. He described the game as “still vivid in my memory” and said it remains something that can be improved. The expansion, Songs of the Past, is set for 2027, while the remaster drops later this month.
He listed specific ways he would tweak the narrative. “Maybe some things I would make more nuanced,” he said, citing Dandelion as a character who could use a bit more wisdom and support beyond comedy relief. He also suggested adding more choices and consequences to Geralt’s interactions with the world around him.
Aging Eyes
Blacha acknowledged that some of his desire to change the game comes from personal growth rather than flaws in the original. “It may be as well, my process of aging, when I see some things from a different perspective. Maybe the problem is not in the game but in me, looking at the game with a different eye,” he said.
That self-awareness is reassuring. Whether the expansion reflects the older Blacha or the younger one who wrote the original story remains to be seen.
The New Crew
Blacha pointed to the development team’s mix of veterans and newcomers as evidence that the expansion won’t become a nostalgia trip gone wrong. “We have a crew that has both veterans from The Witcher 3, but also developers that joined Fool’s Theory or the project quite recently,” he said.
“So I hope it is not a geriatric expansion. It will be fueled very much by the passion of writers and quest designers and developers of Fool’s Theory in general.”
What Changes Will Look Like
The remaster focuses on visual and gameplay tweaks. Blacha did not promise narrative changes, but his comments suggest the expansion could offer new choices and consequences for players.
The remastered update launches September 29 and is free for anyone who owns the base game. Songs of the Past is currently slated for a 2027 launch.
Why This Matters
The Witcher 3 is widely regarded as one of the greatest RPGs ever made. Its 2015 release earned a 92% review score, and its final expansion, Blood and Wine, scored even higher.
Blacha’s willingness to admit the game has rough spots is refreshing. His reassurance that the expansion draws on both veteran experience and fresh eyes is notable.
The remaster and expansion arrive at a time when the game’s legacy is secure. The upcoming updates give fans a chance to revisit the world with sharper visuals and perhaps a few new paths to explore.
“For me, The Witcher 3 is not a monument and is not untouchable.”
Blacha’s quote captures the tension at the heart of this project. The game is sacred to fans, but it is also a living thing that can grow.
Key Facts
- The remastered update launches September 29.
- It is free for anyone who owns the base game.
- Songs of the Past is set for a 2027 launch.
- The original game holds a 92% review score.
- Blood and Wine scored even higher than the base game.
The remaster and expansion are a test of whether the game’s growth can happen without breaking what made the original great.
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