New Witcher 3 DLC: A Potential Story Bridge to The Witcher 4

Even though more than ten years have passed since the release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and the "Blood and Wine" expansion is set to celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2026, the industry is buzzing with discussions about a potential continuation of the story. There is a possibility that next year players will receive fresh content for this already classic title.

Information Sources and Developers

The initial talk regarding a new DLC surfaced following a statement by Polish insider Borys Niespielak. According to his information, the project is being handled by Fool’s Theory. This studio is already collaborating closely with CD Projekt Red on the full remake of the first "The Witcher" game, which adds a certain level of credibility to these rumors. Although many expected an official announcement at The Game Awards, the developers remained silent; however, discussions in specialized media outlets, such as PCGamesN, continue to circulate.

The Witcher 3 New DLC: Release Date and Price

More specific figures were provided by Mateusz Chrzanowski, representing the Polish firm Noble Securities. According to his analytical report, the release of the paid expansion is scheduled for May 2026.

Key points of his forecast include:

• Expected sales: approximately 11 million copies within the first year.
• Price: 30 USD per unit of content.
• Budget: the development is estimated at about 52 million PLN.
• Strategic goal: launching a full-scale marketing campaign for the next numbered entry - The Witcher 4.

It is assumed that the new expansion will serve as a narrative link, a sort of bridge between Geralt's adventures and the new saga. Within the fan community, there is a prevailing opinion that the focus may shift to Ciri, laying the groundwork for her key role in the future of the series.

The Connection Between the New Witcher 3 DLC and The Witcher 4

During a recent conference for sponsors, CD Projekt revealed that they are working on 11 projects, three of which had never been mentioned before. This is where Fool’s Theory comes to mind. Part of the Fool’s Theory team consists of CD Projekt veterans who were involved in the development of The Witcher 3. Their experience with REDengine 3 would allow them to improve and optimize the DLC creation process.

Now, let us look at what we might expect from this expansion. The most prominent theory is that the new DLC for The Witcher 3 will resolve critical plot questions and build a bridge between the third and fourth installments.

As many players know, The Witcher 3 has three distinct endings. This DLC could canonize one specific finale or find a way to merge the outcomes of all three paths related to Ciri. This is particularly relevant since many players finished the game with the ending where Ciri seemingly perishes. However, this may not be the case, as CD Projekt RED has mentioned in interviews that she did not actually die.

The DLC could also explain the conclusion of The Witcher 3 regarding the White Frost and Ciri's subsequent journey after entering the portal. For instance, it could show how Ciri lost her powers - a theory based on trailers and information from other sources. It could depict the moment Geralt passes on the witcher legacy and finally clarify how Ciri became a witcher. After all, according to established lore, women cannot become witchers due to the incompatibility of mutagens and elixirs.

These narrative points are a perfect fit for a Witcher 3 DLC. Since we know that The Witcher 4 will focus on Ciri's own story and a new plot, it would be difficult to fit all the explanations of her transformation and the loss of her space-time abilities into the new game. Moreover, these details are vital for long-time fans of the series rather than a new audience. As mentioned previously, Cirilla is headed toward her own unique story.

Realistic Prospects

Undoubtedly, the idea of releasing a major DLC 11 years after the original game's launch should be approached with caution. There is a possibility that analysts are interpreting the preparation of the massive patch with cross-platform mod support - the release of which was pushed back to 2026 - as a full-fledged expansion.

Nevertheless, the vast fan base and the need for a smooth transition to The Witcher 4 (expected no earlier than late 2027) make the release of paid story content a logical commercial move. While there is no official confirmation yet, we can only speculate on exactly how the developers will link the finale of the third part with the beginning of the new story.