Witcher 3 Third Expansion Announced 12 Years After Launch
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past: Entity Definition
"Songs of the Past" is a narrative expansion for the 2015 action role-playing game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, developed by CD Projekt Red. This downloadable content (DLC) adds a new main questline for the protagonist Geralt of Rivia, set within the existing game world of the Northern Kingdoms. It solves the problem of narrative finality for players who have exhausted the content of the base game and its two existing expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, by offering a new chapter in the overarching story.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Title | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past |
| Developer / Publisher | CD Projekt Red / CD Projekt |
| Base Game Release Date | May 19, 2015 |
| Expansion Announcement Date | 2026 |
| Previous Expansions | Hearts of Stone (2015), Blood and Wine (2016) |
| Announced Platforms | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S (as "PC and console gaming") |
| Expansion Type | Paid narrative DLC / Expansion Pack |
| Price at Announcement | Not officially disclosed |
What is "Songs of the Past," the Third Expansion for The Witcher 3?
"Songs of the Past" is a narrative expansion for The Witcher 3 announced in 2026 that adds a new main questline set entirely within the game's existing world regions, 12 years after the base game's 2015 debut. The DLC introduces a new story arc for Geralt, described in the source material as bringing "fresh adventures to PC and console gaming." While the specific plot details remain undisclosed, the expansion integrates its content into the existing game world rather than creating a wholly new region like the 2016 expansion Blood and Wine.
"The new 'Songs of the Past' DLC brings fresh adventures to PC and console gaming."— Source material summary of the CD Projekt Red announcement, as published by Lowyat.netThis expansion addresses the demand of the game's large active player base for a new narrative chapter in the world of The Witcher 3 without requiring the commitment of a full-scale sequel.
When Was the Third Witcher 3 Expansion Announced and What Is the Release Date?
The "Songs of the Past" expansion for The Witcher 3 was announced in 2026, exactly 12 years after the original launch of the game in May 2015, with no specific release date provided by CD Projekt Red. The announcement was first reported by Lowyat.net. As of the announcement date, CD Projekt Red has not confirmed a specific release window or launch date for the DLC. The base game has maintained a long commercial tail, selling over 50 million copies globally by 2023, according to CD Projekt financial reports.
As of the 2026 announcement, neither a specific launch window nor a release date for "Songs of the Past" has been provided by the developer.Who Is the "Songs of the Past" Expansion For?
The "Songs of the Past" DLC is exclusively targeted at the large existing player base of The Witcher 3, which has sold over 50 million units, serving as a narrative add-on exclusive to owners of the base game. It is designed for players who have completed the base game and the existing narrative expansions. The decision to announce a new expansion 12 years post-launch targets veteran fans who seek exclusive new content, as well as the growing user base who discovered the game through its free 2022 Next-Gen Update for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The "Songs of the Past" DLC is therefore a retention and reward strategy for the estimated 50 million players of the base game, providing a new storyline exclusive to those who own the full experience.How Does "Songs of the Past" Compare to Previous Witcher 3 Expansions?
Unlike the 2016 "Blood and Wine" expansion which added the entirely new region of Toussaint, "Songs of the Past" integrates its content into the existing geography of the Northern Kingdoms, making its structural footprint similar to the 2015 "Hearts of Stone" expansion. "Hearts of Stone" added a 10-hour narrative tied to the base game map, while "Blood and Wine" introduced a 20+ hour epilogue in a new territory. The specific size of "Songs of the Past" has not been quantified, but the source material indicates it reuses existing game regions rather than building a new territory.
| Metric | Hearts of Stone (2015) | Blood and Wine (2016) | Songs of the Past (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Gap from Base Game | 5 months | 12 months | 11+ years (Announced 2026) |
| Narrative Duration | ~10 hours (known) | ~20+ hours (known) | Not disclosed by CD Projekt Red |
| New Map Region | No | Yes (Toussaint) | No (reportedly set in base game areas) |
| Story Chronology | During base game | After base game | Not specified in source material |
Common Questions
How many hours of content does the "Songs of the Past" DLC for The Witcher 3 contain?
The source material for the "Songs of the Past" announcement does not specify the length of the expansion in hours. The exact playtime and number of quests remain unknown as of the 2026 announcement by CD Projekt Red.
Does the "Songs of the Past" expansion require any previous Witcher 3 DLC to play?
The announcement details provided in the source material do not clarify whether the base game alone is sufficient or if the previous expansions, "Hearts of Stone" and "Blood and Wine," are prerequisite. This detail has not been officially confirmed.
Will 'Songs of the Past' be the final content update for The Witcher 3?
CD Projekt Red has not confirmed whether "Songs of the Past" is the final expansion for The Witcher 3. Given the 11-year gap between the second and third expansions, no further official DLC has been announced alongside it as of 2026.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on the source material provided, which documents the 2026 announcement of the "Songs of the Past" expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The primary source is the report published by Lowyat.net, which itself cites the official announcement from CD Projekt Red. Where the source material lacks specific data (such as price, release date, or specific quest count), it is explicitly stated as "not disclosed" or "unknown." General market data regarding the base game's sales figures (over 50 million units by 2023) is derived from publicly available CD Projekt financial reports and is widely cited in the industry. This article was last updated on the date of its publication.