The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, a popular action RPG that introduced the iconic character Bathtub Geralt, was released over a decade ago in 2015. This summer, its developers, CD Projekt Red, announced a new expansion called Songs of the Past, set to launch in 2025. The expansion will be released alongside a full remastered version of the original game, which will be free for those who bought it in 2015. While the studio is also working on The Witcher 4, expected in 2028, the new expansion and remaster are made possible through a partnership with Fool’s Theory, a new studio founded by former CD Projekt Red employees who are handling most of the development work. Marcin Blacha, Vice President and Story Director at CD Projekt Red, explained that the idea for Songs of the Past had been in development for years. “We moved on to other projects, like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 4, but we saw a gap in our release schedule and found the right partner to help bring this expansion to life,” he said. The expansion retains the signature morally complex storytelling that fans of The Witcher series have come to expect. Voice actors Doug Cockle and John Schwab, who portray Geralt and Dandelion respectively, are returning to bring the story to life. New features include enhanced combat and skill systems, allowing Geralt to use a chain weapon alongside his traditional swords, as well as new mutagens that alter his biology and abilities. Despite speculation, Songs of the Past is not a prequel to The Witcher 4 and instead focuses on Geralt, the gruff and experienced witcher, rather than Ciri, the younger protagonist of the upcoming sequel. This is significant because the 2016 Blood and Wine expansion was widely seen as a conclusion to Geralt’s story, with him retiring to a peaceful life on a vineyard in the fictional country of Toussaint. However, the new expansion brings him back into action after a request from his best friend, Dandelion, who needs his help in his homeland of Letten. This region, described as idyllic but hiding dark secrets, allows the team to revisit the roots of the Witcher series with themes of folklore, difficult choices, and settings inspired by Polish history and landscapes. The decision to bring Geralt back into the spotlight has been both exciting and nostalgic for the developers. “We wanted to return to the series’ roots, drawing on old beliefs and traditions while staying true to the difficult dilemmas that define the Witcher universe,” said Blacha. While The Witcher 3 is often considered a modern classic and its story has reached a satisfying conclusion, the developers believe that Geralt’s journey is not yet over. As his medallion begins to hum, the White Wolf is ready to answer the call once again.