Next-gen update for The Witcher 3: ray tracing, ultra plus graphics, new camera, Netflix quest – the improvements

That already on 14.12. The forthcoming free next-gen update for The Witcher 3 offers a whole range of content and technical improvements. We summarize the findings.

Ray tracing and Ultra Plus graphics mode

The focus of the technical improvements for the PC is the integration of ray tracing. The old lighting engine is replaced by an RT Global Illumination. There is also RT ambient occlusion for realistic shading. CDPR also makes a difference in Screen Space Reflections. Reflections are not just limited to the water, but will be found everywhere in the game world in the future.

There’s also a new Ultra Plus graphics mode that, while not integrated as a preset, is available for high-end PCs to play around with. This allows the quality of the display of background characters, the grass density or the level of detail to be increased. CDPR explains that veteran developers of The Witcher are given time to let off steam with the next-gen update. This resulted in many small improvements, for example to the meshes for the environment. There is now a higher budget for streaming textures, and many assets have been reworked. With the integration of Halk Hogan’s HD Reworked Mod, almost every texture is reworked.

It’s all about the details

This also includes an overhaul of grass and foliage, prettier clouds, more variety in weather conditions and, for example, smoke rising from distant villages. The cobblestones of Novigrad are no longer normal maps, but are rendered in full 3D. A nice change is that you can now pause during cutscenes.

New upscaling techniques have also been confirmed. DLSS 3 for RTX 40 graphics cards and DLSS 2 for RTX 30 and 20 was already clear in advance, Radeon owners can also look forward to FSR 2, which is also available on the PS5 and Xbox Series S|X. There is also a 60 fps mode for consoles. Known from Cyberpunk 2077 is the new photo mode, which invites you to take part in screenshot competitions. Cross-progression, i.e. continuing to play across multiple platforms, is also inspired by Cyberpunkt.

Other innovations: camera, quest errors and Netflix

Another innovation concerns the camera options in The Witcher 3 (buy now €25.16 ). Here you can select an alternative camera that is as close as possible to Geralt. This applies to exploration, combat and horseback riding. CDPR promises that exploring will be a new experience with the combo of camera, map filter, dynamic mini-map and the new fast way for witcher signs.

CDPR also uses the update to fix quest bugs. The focus here is on “From Ophir’s Far Shores”, “Treasure Hunt: Wolf School Equipment” and other quests. There are also more details about Netflix, even if CDPR doesn’t want to reveal too much for obvious reasons. There is a new quest, the beginning of which is at least briefly displayed in the live stream and in which you can find diagrams for new equipment. Alternative outfits for Delphiniums have been confirmed and Nilfgaardian soldiers.