The Witcher 3 Remastered is just around the corner, and you might need to go ahead and clear up some space on your hard drive. CD Projekt Red has confirmed the download size for the update, and it is a hefty one: 45 GB on PC, PS4, and Xbox, with Nintendo Switch 2 players getting a 50 GB standalone game. That is a big number for a patch, especially when you consider that the original Witcher 3 only took 15 GB to install.
The update arrives as a free download for existing owners of The Witcher 3 on September 29. It is not a fresh purchase, but it is a significant download, particularly for players who already have the base game installed. The question is whether the extra space is worth the payoff.
The Numbers From Marcin Momot
The confirmation came from Marcin Momot, CD Projekt Red’s social media director. He posted the figures on X, giving players a clear idea of what to expect before they hit the download button.
The breakdown is simple:
- PC, PS4, and Xbox: about 45 GB of new content
- Nintendo Switch 2: a separate 50 GB download
Momot’s post did not say what the final installed size will be, but the Steam numbers offer a hint. The Complete Edition of the original Witcher 3 on Steam takes up 57.26 GB. That means the new version on non-Switch 2 platforms could push toward 100 GB when everything is finished.
Whether the update replaces enough original files to keep the total size down is unclear. Nothing has been confirmed yet.
Why So Much Data?
The Witcher 3 is an 11-year-old game, and the remaster is doing more than just polishing the graphics. It is overhauling the visuals, which means new assets for characters, environments, and effects. The game is also getting gameplay tweaks, which likely adds additional code and data.
A 45 GB update for a game that was already on the hard drive is unusual. The scope of the remaster explains the size, but it also raises the question of whether the upgrade justifies the space.
What Fans Will Get
The remaster is a free update for existing owners. That means anyone who bought The Witcher 3 in the past can grab it without spending more money. The original version will likely remain playable, at least on Steam, through old branches of the game.
The update brings the graphics of the 11-year-old game up to modern standards. The Witcher 3 has aged gracefully, but a decade of technical progress has left it behind in some ways. The remaster aims to fix that.
The remaster also includes gameplay tweaks, though the details have not been fully explained. The update is described as bringing plenty of updates across the board, but the exact nature of those changes has not been detailed beyond the graphics overhaul.
The Look Of The Remaster
The remaster changes the look of The Witcher 3, but seeing the full difference is tricky. The game’s visual style varies wildly depending on the time of day and the weather, so a single screenshot or video does not capture the whole picture. Players will have to go hands-on with the remaster to see how it stacks up against the original.
Some fans may prefer the stylization of the original lighting. The remaster is a big change, and not everyone will want it. The update is free, so the cost barrier is low, but the time investment is real.
The Future Of The Franchise
The Witcher 3 Remastered is not the only update on the horizon. The franchise has a bigger overhaul in store. The Witcher 4 is making the jump to Unreal Engine 5 and shaking up its visual style. That project is further out, but it shows the direction the series is heading.
The first game in the series is also getting a refresh in an upcoming remake. We have not seen that one yet, but it is part of the broader effort to bring the entire franchise up to modern standards.
| Platform | Download Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PC, PS4, Xbox | 45 GB | New content added to existing installation |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | 50 GB | Separate download |
What To Expect On Release Day
The update arrives on September 29, 2026. Existing owners will need to check their hard drives before the download starts. A 45 GB update on a system with limited storage could be a problem, and players with older machines may find themselves clearing space before they can install.
The download is free, so the financial cost is zero. The time cost is real, though. A 45 GB download takes time, and the remaster is a big one.
Is It Worth It?
The remaster is a free update for existing owners, so the price is not a barrier. The question is whether the upgrade justifies the space. A 45 GB download is a commitment, and players who have spent the last decade playing and replaying The Witcher 3 will have to weigh whether the revamp is worth dedicating that much room to.
The original version will probably remain accessible, at least on Steam. That means players who do not want the remaster can keep playing the old version without losing access to it.
The remaster is a big download for a game that was already on the hard drive. Whether it is worth the trouble is a personal call. Some players will jump at the chance to see the game in a new light. Others will stick with the original, and that is perfectly fine.
The remaster is a free update, and the choice is yours.
The Order Of Events
- September 29, 2026 — The Witcher 3 Remastered update releases as a free download for existing owners.
- Players check their hard drive space before starting the download.
- PC, PS4, and Xbox players download about 45 GB of new content.
- Nintendo Switch 2 players download a separate 50 GB game.
- Players go hands-on with the remaster to see the full difference against the original.
Each step in that order carries its own cost: time, patience, and hard drive space. The remaster is a free update, but the commitment it asks for is real.
The remaster is a big download for a game that was already on the hard drive. Whether it is worth the trouble is a personal call. Some players will jump at the chance to see the game in a new light. Others will stick with the original, and that is perfectly fine.
The remaster is a free update, and the choice is yours.
Source material: “The Witcher 3 Remastered Hefty File Size Officially Confirmed,” Screen Rant.
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