The Witcher 3 hits Xbox Game Pass and immediately adds fuel to the DLC fire

With a deck-building game like Souls Scream of death and EA Sports College Football 26, Xbox Game Pass See the addition of The Witcher 3 For premium and ultimate members. This is the full version, complete with the base game and two major story DLCs: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. This isn't the first time CD Projekt Red's masterpiece has hit the service, as it was first added in late 2019 and then removed in early 2021.

beyond The Witcher 3 Joining Xbox Game Pass for the second time, there's something special about this addition. It's not absolute proof, of course, but it can't be a coincidence that it's rejoining the service at a time when rumors are swirling about a third major DLC.

It's important to note that joining a service like PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass for a video game near a new release/reveal is rare, but not unheard of. Need for speed heat The PS Plus line-up headlined ahead Speed is essential for unboundOfficial disclosure of, just as a simple example. The benefits are obvious: rebuild franchise interest, rebuild playerbases, increase potential DLC sales, seed speculation before announcements, and/or expand audience reach. The Witcher 3 Joining Xbox Game Pass anytime soon won't draw as many eyeballs as it does right now, but given the sheer number of rumors about new DLC, it's hard to see it as anything other than a setup for an Xbox Game Pass addition.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5 seconds) Medium (5.0 seconds) Hard (2.5 seconds) Permadeath (2.5 seconds)

Witcher 3 new DLC rumors heat up ahead of its Xbox Game Pass addition

It started when Polish analyst Mateusz Chrzanowski reported that developer CD Projekt Red needed to make ~412m to hit the latest incentive program, reporting that the company expected to release new DLC. The Witcher 3Or at least, “significant new material.” The same analyst later stated that they are “100% sure” that this is an expansion that will be released in 2026. CD Projekt Red has not yet commented on the rumours, but the former project lead The Witcher 1 It also weighed in, building anticipation. Since then, other insiders, journalists, and outlets have reported on these claims, suggesting that DLC has been in the works for some time now (which would make sense with the incentive program starting in 2023).

The content of the DLC remains a mystery, as it should be. According to various sources, however, the DLC is set to introduce a new area to the world The Witcher 3. This has seen many names thrown out, such as Zerrikania or a brand new region associated with Valen, apparently based on subsequent negotiations.

Zerrikania is an exotic, largely unexplored region located on the edge of the Korath Desert to the southeast of the Northern Kingdoms. It is believed to be a land of dragon-worshippers, expert alchemists, dangerous beasts, and fierce, tattooed warrior women.
Players may know Valen better as part of No Man's Land after the Third Northern War. It was famous for the Aretuza Academy of Magic before the Great Destruction made it a lawless land of mercenaries, soldiers, bandits and the like.

It is also said to serve as a “bridge” between DLCs The Witcher 3 and The Witcher 4Presumably setting up some plot points that the new playable hero Ciri will follow in the next game. Actually, given The Witcher 4 In full production by late 2024/2025 (and CDPR has expanded its studios in recent years), it only makes sense to give fans a new playable teaser ahead of its release. As of this writing, fans have seen more The Witcher 4 Rather than DLC, but it will reportedly be released in 2027 or 2028.

witcher-3-geralt-dlc-blood-and-wine-cyberpunk-2077-v-game-rant

related to

Inside CD Project Red Quest Design

Pawel Sasko gave a high-level overview of CD Projekt Red's Quest design approach at Gamescom LATAM, with Game Rant taking a deeper dive afterward.

New Witcher content will now be a boon for Xbox Game Pass and CD Projekt Red

the last The Witcher 3 The DLC was Blood and Wine in 2026, making it a decade since fans saw anything new of any kind. the witcher Video game content. With the game on Xbox Game Pass, not only will it introduce potential newcomers to Geralt's journey at no extra cost, it will also ensure that players who fail have an easy excuse to dive back in. Access is often half the battle, and Xbox Game Pass removes many of the barriers to entry as interest in the franchise continues to grow. It is the calculated part of its addition that makes it more than coincidence; As mentioned above, no one would have thought much of it if it had rejoined service last year.

It's simple, but effective: returning or first-time players can systematically roll their hype over to new DLC. CD Projekt Red is able to (hopefully) meet its projected incentive program goals. The Witcher 3’s new content keeps fans going through the releases The Witcher 4And Xbox Game Pass plays a role in all of this, benefiting in a similar way.

Also, optics are important with subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. Fans have seen, and know, when a game is added to the service too soon due to low sales. Likewise, making it widely available further The Witcher 3The new DLC indicates confidence. Whether coincidence or calculated strategy, the timing aligns too neatly with the rumor mill to ignore. If new the witcher With content truly on the horizon, Xbox Game Pass can be the staging ground where anticipation turns to speed.