As revealed earlier this week, alongside a look at next year’s “Songs of the Past” expansion, The Witcher 3 is set to receive a free remastered update next month. Some of the enhancements and additions to this update are attributed to modders. The creator of The Witcher 3’s HD Reworked Project, HalkHogan, has confirmed their collaboration with CD Projekt Red for the remaster.
In a recent post, HalkHogan stated, “It’s been a while since the last news and I would like to clarify any questions and confirm that I am cooperating with CDPR on the Witcher 3 Remaster. My work will be officially available in the game on September 29th (on PC and consoles); HDRP will no longer be needed.” The modder has reworked nearly all in-game characters, monsters, animals, vegetation, armors and equipment for Geralt and Roach, as well as a large part of the environment, ensuring the highest quality for players.
HalkHogan previously collaborated with CD Projekt Red on the next-gen update, where their efforts in improving the game’s textures and models aligned well with the goals of official remasters. In that prior update, four additional modders—Denroth, Teiji25, Chuckcash, and Terg500—also had their work recognized by the studio. However, there are no current reports of these modders being involved in the upcoming remaster.
While bug-fixing modders may not need to be included in the remaster, as their contributions were incorporated into the next-gen update, the inclusion of HalkHogan’s visual upgrades is particularly advantageous for console players who, unlike PC users, often rely on official updates to experience enhanced visuals. CD Projekt Red has previously compensated modders for their contributions and added them to the game’s credits, suggesting that a similar recognition will occur for this remaster.
The launch of the remaster may face challenges from a modding perspective, especially given past experiences with the next-gen update. Mods contingent on specific game scripts or elements modified in the update are likely to require adjustments to function correctly. However, most mod updates are typically resolved quickly, barring any complications from abandoned projects.
In summary, the upcoming remastered update of The Witcher 3 not only reflects the game’s initial legacy but also reaffirms the importance of the modding community in enhancing player experiences. With improved visuals and recognition for contributors, the remaster aims to deliver a fresh yet familiar journey through the rich world of The Witcher.
