The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past Expansion Acts as a 'Prologue' to the Series' Future

CD Projekt has revealed that its newly announced expansion for The Witcher 3, Songs of the Past, will help set the stage for the upcoming The Witcher 4. While the expansion tells a standalone story starring Geralt set after the events of The Witcher 3, it also serves as a sort of prologue to CD Projekt's next big blockbuster, according to joint CEO Michał Nowakowski.

During an investor call, Nowakowski was asked about the expansion's role in the franchise, why it's now launching in 2027 (after being expected this year), and whether CD Projekt's new Witcher trilogy will also receive expansions. He explained that the primary goal was to deliver a great experience for fans, allowing them to return to The Witcher 3 setting. "Of course, indirectly, yes, it is a reminder [of the franchise for fans]. It is, in a way, a prologue, although it's not a prologue in a verbatim way for the actual The Witcher 4," he said, adding that maintaining chatter around The Witcher 3 is a side effect. The core focus is delivering a high-quality, fun experience for existing fans.

During a livestream yesterday, CD Projekt hinted at the expansion's focus, teasing the importance of Geralt's new third sword, glimpsed in recent artwork, and the presence of his bard buddy Dandelion. When asked about the delay to 2027, Nowakowski said the decision was made together with the development team to achieve the best possible consumer experience, which is ultimately what matters.

CD Projekt's latest financial results show Q1 revenue of 191 million PLN ($52.5 million), up year-on-year, and net profit of 106 million PLN ($29 million), driven by solid sales and subscription catalogues. The company now employs 975 people, with over 500 working on The Witcher 4, 163 on Cyberpunk 2, 80 on multiplayer Witcher spin-off Project Sirius, and 24 on new IP codenamed Hadar.

There's no word on The Witcher 4's release date, but CD Projekt plans to launch it plus The Witcher 5 and 6 within a six-year period. Nowakowski acknowledged this ambitious plan makes it difficult to add expansions to the upcoming trilogy. Separately, CD Projekt's Cyberpunk Trading Card Game campaign raised $28 million via Kickstarter, making it the platform's most successful gaming project and the third-largest campaign ever.