The Witcher 3 is getting Xbox Game Pass, immediately adding fuel to DLC Fire

Next to the soulslike deck-building game Death howls and EA Sports College Football 26, Xbox Game Pass saw the addition of TThe Witcher 3 for Premium and Ultimate subscribers. It's the entire Complete Edition, complete with the base game and two major story DLCs: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. This isn't the first time CD Projekt Red's masterpiece has been on the service, as it was previously added in late 2019 and then removed in early 2021.

For The Witcher 3 The second time you join Xbox Game Pass, there's something special about this add-on. It's not full proof, of course, but it's unlikely to be a coincidence that he's rejoining the service amid swirling rumors of a third major DLC.

It's important to note that connecting a video game to a service like PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass right before a new release/reveal is rare, but not unheard of. Need for Speed Heat presented the PS Plus series Need for Speed Unbound's official reveal, as just one simple example. The benefits are obvious: reviving interest in the franchise, rebuilding the player base, increasing potential DLC sales, starting pre-announcement speculation, and/or expanding audience reach. The Witcher 3 joining Xbox Game Pass at any other time wouldn't draw as many eyeballs as it does right now, but with the sheer number of rumors about new DLC, it's hard to see this Xbox Game Pass addition as anything other than a set-up for it.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

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The Witcher 3 New DLC Rumors are hot ahead of Xbox Game Pass addition

It started with Polish analyst Mateusz Chrzanowski saying that developer CD Projekt Red needs to earn roughly ~412 million to get into the recent incentive program, and said that he expects the company to release new DLC for The Witcher 3or at least “significant new content”. The same analyst later said that he was “100% sure” that this was an expansion that would be released sometime in 2026. CD Projekt Red has yet to comment on the rumors, but the former head of the project Witcher 1 it even leaned towards it and built anticipation. Other insiders, journalists and media outlets have since reported on the claims, claiming that the DLC has been in the works for some time (which makes sense given that the incentive program started in 2023).

DLC content remains a mystery, as it should be. However, according to various sources, the DLC is supposed to introduce a new region to the world The Witcher 3. As a result, several names have been thrown around, such as Zerrikania or an entirely new region related to Velen, with the latter seeming more likely based on recent interviews.

Zerrikania is an exotic, largely unexplored region located far to the southeast of the Northern Kingdoms on the other side of the Korath Desert. It is believed to be a land of dragon worshippers, skilled alchemists, dangerous fauna and fierce tattooed warrior women.
Players may know Velen better as part of No Man's Land after the Third Northern War. It was known as the Aretuza Academy of Magic before massive devastation caused it to become a land of mercenaries, soldiers, bandits and the like.

This DLC is also said to serve as a “bridge” between the two The Witcher 3 and The Witcher 4perhaps setting up some plot points that new playable protagonist Ciri follows in the next game. Indeed, given that The Witcher 4 is in full production at the end of 2024/2025 (and CDPR has expanded its studios in recent years), it makes sense to give fans a new playable teaser before its release. As of this writing, fans have seen more The Witcher 4 than this DLC, but is reportedly slated for release in either 2027 or 2028.

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Inside CD Projekt Red Quest Design

Pawel Sasko gave a comprehensive overview of CD Projekt Red's approach to quest design at Gamescom LATAM, and then Game Rant went deeper.

The new Witcher content would now benefit Xbox Game Pass and CD Projekt Red

Last The Witcher 3 The DLC was Blood and Wine in 2026, which is ten years since fans have seen anything new Charmer video game content. With the game on Xbox Game Pass, this would not only introduce potential newcomers to Geralt's journey at no additional cost, but also ensure lapsed players have an easy excuse to dive back in. Availability is often half the battle, and Xbox Game Pass removes most of the barriers to entry just as interest in the franchise is on the rise again. It is the calculated part of his census that makes it more than a coincidence; as mentioned, no one would have thought much of it if it had rejoined the service last year.

It's simple but effective: players who revisit or play for the first time can organically transfer their hype to the new DLC. CD Projekt Red's supposed incentive program is able to meet the goals (hopefully), The Witcher 3New content keeps fans engaged after release The Witcher 4and Xbox Game Pass plays a role in all of this, benefiting in a similar way.

Additionally, with subscription services like Xbox Game Pass, optics are important. Fans have seen and know when a game is added to the service too soon due to lackluster sales. Likewise, it is widely available in advance The Witcher 3New DLC signals confidence. Whether coincidence or calculated strategy, the timing is too cleanly in line with the rumors to ignore. If new Charmer content is truly on the horizon, Xbox Game Pass could be where anticipation turns into momentum.