Next-gen update list of changes

[BodinhoCaliente]

On December 14th the free next-gen update is coming to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The update will go live at 1 AM CET for PC & Xbox Series X|S, and midnight local time for PlayStation 5. It will include various visual, performance, and technical enhancements, as well as fixes and additional content. PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch will also receive an update — the specific patch notes and date will be announced at a later time. (NOTE: scope of the updates may vary between the platforms — please read the patch notes for more details)

After the update your game version will be 4.0. Below you'll find the list of changes:

PC and Next-Gen Exclusives

• Added ray traced global illumination and ambient occlusion.
• Additionally, PC players with compatible hardware have an additional option to turn on ray traced reflections and shadows.
• Added various mods and mod-inspired content to the game to improve visuals and overall game quality. We’ve included some community-made favorites in addition to our own modifications in areas such as environment and cutscene improvements, realistic pavements, and many decoration upgrades.
• Community-made and community-inspired mods include:

• The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project by HalkHogan

• HD Monsters Reworked by Denroth

• Immersive Real-time Cutscenes by teiji25

• Nitpicker's Patch by chuckcash

• World Map Fixes by Terg500​

• Upscaled texture to 4K for various characters, including Geralt, Yennefer, Triss, Ciri, Eredin and more.
• All main characters, including Geralt, now cast high-resolution self-shadowing even outside cutscenes. Additionally, hair clipping through armor as well as some other armor-clipping issues have been fixed.
• Environmental improvements:

• Added a new weather type – "Gray Sky"

• Updated sky textures

• Vegetation and water improvements

• Various mesh improvements

• Improved some select VFX

• Updated global environmental lighting​

• Added AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution (FSR) 2.1
• Added photo mode, allowing players to take stunning pictures within the world of The Witcher 3.
• Added the option to pause the game during cutscenes.
• Added an alternative camera option that's closer to the player's character and that reacts more dynamically to combat and movement. You can find this new setting in Options → Gameplay under Exploration, Combat, and Horseback Camera Distance.

PC-Specific

• Added “ULTRA+” graphical settings on PC, which significantly increases the visual fidelity of the game. The graphical settings available on ULTRA+ affect:

• Number of background characters

• Shadow quality

• Grass density

• Texture quality

• Foliage visibility range

• Terrain quality

• Water quality

• Detail level​

• Added DLSS 3 support. Available only on compatible hardware.

Next-Gen Console-Specific

• Improved the overall quality of graphics on next-gen consoles. Including enhanced textures, improved fidelity, shadow quality, greater draw distances and crowd density.
• Ray Tracing Mode — provides ray-traced global illumination and ambient occlusion with dynamic resolution scaling targeting 30 FPS for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
• Performance Mode — ensures smoother gameplay targeting 60 FPS with dynamic resolution scaling for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
• The Xbox Series S version has no ray-tracing features. Quality Mode provides increased resolution and better image fidelity targeting 30 FPS, whereas Performance Mode targets 60 FPS and prioritizes smoother gameplay over visual quality.
• Implemented the use of adaptive triggers and haptic feedback on PS5 DualSense controllers.
• Added Activity Cards for PS5.

Online Features

• Added a cross-progression feature between platforms. Your latest saves will be automatically uploaded to the cloud so you can easily pick up where you left off on other platforms. Cross-progression provides the latest save for every save type. This feature becomes available after you log into your account.
• By signing up to MY REWARDS in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, players can receive:

• Swords of the Nine-Tailed Vixen

• White Tiger of the West Armor

• Dol Blathanna Armor Set

• Roach Card​

Detailed information on how to redeem the rewards will be available from Dec 14th, 1 AM CET at thewitcher.com/my-rewards.

Additional Content

• Added a new side quest, In The Eternal Fire's Shadow, in Velen. Rewards are inspired by Neftlix's The Witcher series.
• Added an alternative appearance for Dandelion inspired by Netflix's The Witcher series. You can enable it in Options → Gameplay.
• Added an alternative Nilfgaardian Armor set inspired by Netflix's The Witcher series. You can enable it in Options → Gameplay.
• Added Chinese and Korean voice-over. Availability on consoles varies by region.
• Various improvements and changes to Russian voice-over, including fixes for accelerated / slowed lines in the vast majority of scenes.

Quality of Life Changes

• Added a Quick Sign Casting option. It allows signs to be switched and cast without opening the radial menu. You can find it in Options → Gameplay.
• Added a new default map filter. The new filter hides some icons such as "?" and boat icons in order to reduce icon clutter on the map. These icons can be turned back on with the “All” map mode toggle.
• Adjusted the minimum height for fall damage, allowing the player to survive falls from higher heights.
• Herbs can now be instantly looted with a single interaction – without the additional loot window.
• Added options that dynamically hide the minimap and quest objectives when not in combat or using Witcher senses. You can find it in Options → Video → HUD Configuration → Hide minimap during Exploration and Hide objectives during Exploration.
• Added the option to slow walk when playing with a controller. You can now slow walk by lightly pushing the left stick forward.
• Added an alternative sprint mode option when playing with a controller. It's activated by tapping the left stick. You can find it in Options → Control Settings.
• Added an option to make target-lock unnaffected by camera inversion. You can find it in Options → Control Settings.
• Improved the radial menu so bombs, bolts and pocket items can now be switched dynamically without opening the inventory.
• Added the option to scale the font size for subtitles, NPC chatter and dialogue choices. You can find it in Options → Video → HUD Configuration.
• Added various other small fixes, tweaks, and quality of life changes, including a few secrets to be discovered by players.

Gameplay

• Added the mod Full Combat Rebalance 3 by Flash_in_the_flesh which includes balance changes and various fixes to gameplay. We took a curated approach to this mod, with some elements further tweaked from what you’ll find in the mod by default, while other elements were omitted.
• Scavenger Hunt: Wolf School Gear - Fixed an issue where the chest at the Signal Tower couldn't be opened.
• From Ofier's Distant Shores - Fixed an issue where the diagram in the chest at the bandit's hideout could be missing.
• Hard Times - Fixed an issue where Geralt couldn't talk or give the letter to the blacksmith.
• Swift as the Western Winds - Fixed an issue where the quest could sometimes fail despite winning the horse race.
• Echoes of the Past - Fixed an issue where, after defeating the Foglets, the quest could get stuck and it wouldn't be possible to talk to Yennefer.
• Wine Wars - Fixed an issue where the quest couldn't be completed if the player destroyed one of the required monster nests during exploration.
• Fixed an issue where clearing the Ruined Inn Abandoned Site situated on the southern shore of Ard Skellig was not possible in certain scenarios.
• Fixed an issue where the Grandmaster Wolven Set wouldn't require Mastercrafted items.
• Various small fixes to quests and cutscenes.

Remember – these are just the highlights! There are lots of changes in this update, so check them out for yourself in the game!

Wish they put first person mod too (gervant mod)

 

[Silakai]

Great work. There's some really good changes especially the quick casting. It's so much more fluid and allows me to use all signs in combat effectively. I have just one complaint. Why nerf the food? I have impaired coordination d/t personal issues. I'm really bad at combat and I get damaged constantly. My alcohest supplies just couldn't keep up. Food & gourmet helped me immensely in getting through the game. Any chance you can buff food healing back to the way it was, at least on the easier difficulties?

 

[Nienormalny]

Well. I jumped to play a game like crazy right after update dropped and found out that i9-10900k with RTX 2070 SUPER is not even close to be good enough for Ray Tracing. But even after turning it off it's still a stroboscope of frames that render the game unplayable due to stutter. I thought this might be problem on my side but apparently not (youtube).
CDPR, come on

 

[Madae]

Do I have to install the complete edition to get the update? I have the original version (in GOG) installed but it's still on 1.32 and I can't seem to find how to update it.

 

[LeKill3rFou]

Do I have to install the complete edition to get the update? I have the original version (in GOG) installed but it's still on 1.32 and I can't seem to find how to update it.

You can try that or take a look on the post on GOG forum in case :

I had no update too. To trigger it go to game settings in GOG - manage installation - configure - and here you will have option to update to 4.0 version

GOG is not finding any update for the witcher 3

 

[Nikita_R]

Please make balance changes from Full Combat Rebalance 3 by Flash_in_the_flesh optional, I want to play Witcher 3 with visual improvements, bugfixes, new quest etc, not the rebalance

Thanks for the new amazing visual

 

[Dmitriy_1981]

I know it's useless to ask about this here, but just in case...
Can you please tell me if there is a way to control the direction of attacks in the same way as it was previously done in the mods of the Enhanced Edition plan?
The fact is that I'm used to comfortable control in combat, when the character basically obeys the direction of the camera, while some of the attacks are carried out in the direction of movement.
The mod had to be removed due to the release of the update.
But in vanilla, the settings for controlling the direction of attacks, unfortunately, did not exist, and did not appear. The Witcher in battle constantly makes these useless rotational movements around him. Therefore, it is impossible to predict which opponent he will attack in the next second. This creates useless complications and is very annoying.

Post automatically merged: Dec 17, 2022

Yes, the picture has become clearer and more pleasant in places. Being able to pet Roach is great, thanks. If they also added the ability to pet the cat, which are sometimes found in the game in different places, then it would be generally super.

True, sometimes there are graphic bugs like this. However, they were on previous versions.

 

[YSMIRSSON]

I'm an ancient fan ever since the 1st Witcher game but this Next-Gen release is just goddamn awful and disappointing.
These mods you have built into this version, I had in Witcher 3 v1.32, since they first showed up on Nexus.
So aside from the Ray Tracing that either crashes the game or tanks the FPS to the level of unplayabiltiy,
my old game looked just as good as this does.
The great difference is that my old, heavily modded & ENB preset Witcher 3 has been running infinitely better, it never had performance issues.
I'd really love to play 4.00 for the new content and for the fixes too but even its DX11 version has way worse performance than the classic game.
Is there a chance you can optimize Nex-Gen better than this or should we just go back to the legacy 1.32 unless we own a 4090?

 

[DanThePman1]

Graphics look better now. Thankfully you added frame generation

 

[karthikraghava]

On December 14th the free next-gen update is coming to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The update will go live at 1 AM CET for PC & Xbox Series X|S, and midnight local time for PlayStation 5. It will include various visual, performance, and technical enhancements, as well as fixes and additional content. PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch will also receive an update — the specific patch notes and date will be announced at a later time. (NOTE: scope of the updates may vary between the platforms — please read the patch notes for more details)

After the update your game version will be 4.0. Below you'll find the list of changes:

PC and Next-Gen Exclusives

• Added ray traced global illumination and ambient occlusion.
• Additionally, PC players with compatible hardware have an additional option to turn on ray traced reflections and shadows.
• Added various mods and mod-inspired content to the game to improve visuals and overall game quality. We’ve included some community-made favorites in addition to our own modifications in areas such as environment and cutscene improvements, realistic pavements, and many decoration upgrades.
• Community-made and community-inspired mods include:

• The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project by HalkHogan

• HD Monsters Reworked by Denroth

• Immersive Real-time Cutscenes by teiji25

• Nitpicker's Patch by chuckcash

• World Map Fixes by Terg500​

• Upscaled texture to 4K for various characters, including Geralt, Yennefer, Triss, Ciri, Eredin and more.
• All main characters, including Geralt, now cast high-resolution self-shadowing even outside cutscenes. Additionally, hair clipping through armor as well as some other armor-clipping issues have been fixed.
• Environmental improvements:

• Added a new weather type – "Gray Sky"

• Updated sky textures

• Vegetation and water improvements

• Various mesh improvements

• Improved some select VFX

• Updated global environmental lighting​

• Added AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution (FSR) 2.1
• Added photo mode, allowing players to take stunning pictures within the world of The Witcher 3.
• Added the option to pause the game during cutscenes.
• Added an alternative camera option that's closer to the player's character and that reacts more dynamically to combat and movement. You can find this new setting in Options → Gameplay under Exploration, Combat, and Horseback Camera Distance.

PC-Specific

• Added “ULTRA+” graphical settings on PC, which significantly increases the visual fidelity of the game. The graphical settings available on ULTRA+ affect:

• Number of background characters

• Shadow quality

• Grass density

• Texture quality

• Foliage visibility range

• Terrain quality

• Water quality

• Detail level​

• Added DLSS 3 support. Available only on compatible hardware.

Next-Gen Console-Specific

• Improved the overall quality of graphics on next-gen consoles. Including enhanced textures, improved fidelity, shadow quality, greater draw distances and crowd density.
• Ray Tracing Mode — provides ray-traced global illumination and ambient occlusion with dynamic resolution scaling targeting 30 FPS for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
• Performance Mode — ensures smoother gameplay targeting 60 FPS with dynamic resolution scaling for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
• The Xbox Series S version has no ray-tracing features. Quality Mode provides increased resolution and better image fidelity targeting 30 FPS, whereas Performance Mode targets 60 FPS and prioritizes smoother gameplay over visual quality.
• Implemented the use of adaptive triggers and haptic feedback on PS5 DualSense controllers.
• Added Activity Cards for PS5.

Online Features

• Added a cross-progression feature between platforms. Your latest saves will be automatically uploaded to the cloud so you can easily pick up where you left off on other platforms. Cross-progression provides the latest save for every save type. This feature becomes available after you log into your account.
• By signing up to MY REWARDS in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, players can receive:

• Swords of the Nine-Tailed Vixen

• White Tiger of the West Armor

• Dol Blathanna Armor Set

• Roach Card​

Detailed information on how to redeem the rewards will be available from Dec 14th, 1 AM CET at thewitcher.com/my-rewards.

Additional Content

• Added a new side quest, In The Eternal Fire's Shadow, in Velen. Rewards are inspired by Neftlix's The Witcher series.
• Added an alternative appearance for Dandelion inspired by Netflix's The Witcher series. You can enable it in Options → Gameplay.
• Added an alternative Nilfgaardian Armor set inspired by Netflix's The Witcher series. You can enable it in Options → Gameplay.
• Added Chinese and Korean voice-over. Availability on consoles varies by region.
• Various improvements and changes to Russian voice-over, including fixes for accelerated / slowed lines in the vast majority of scenes.

Quality of Life Changes

• Added a Quick Sign Casting option. It allows signs to be switched and cast without opening the radial menu. You can find it in Options → Gameplay.
• Added a new default map filter. The new filter hides some icons such as "?" and boat icons in order to reduce icon clutter on the map. These icons can be turned back on with the “All” map mode toggle.
• Adjusted the minimum height for fall damage, allowing the player to survive falls from higher heights.
• Herbs can now be instantly looted with a single interaction – without the additional loot window.
• Added options that dynamically hide the minimap and quest objectives when not in combat or using Witcher senses. You can find it in Options → Video → HUD Configuration → Hide minimap during Exploration and Hide objectives during Exploration.
• Added the option to slow walk when playing with a controller. You can now slow walk by lightly pushing the left stick forward.
• Added an alternative sprint mode option when playing with a controller. It's activated by tapping the left stick. You can find it in Options → Control Settings.
• Added an option to make target-lock unnaffected by camera inversion. You can find it in Options → Control Settings.
• Improved the radial menu so bombs, bolts and pocket items can now be switched dynamically without opening the inventory.
• Added the option to scale the font size for subtitles, NPC chatter and dialogue choices. You can find it in Options → Video → HUD Configuration.
• Added various other small fixes, tweaks, and quality of life changes, including a few secrets to be discovered by players.

Gameplay

• Added the mod Full Combat Rebalance 3 by Flash_in_the_flesh which includes balance changes and various fixes to gameplay. We took a curated approach to this mod, with some elements further tweaked from what you’ll find in the mod by default, while other elements were omitted.
• Scavenger Hunt: Wolf School Gear - Fixed an issue where the chest at the Signal Tower couldn't be opened.
• From Ofier's Distant Shores - Fixed an issue where the diagram in the chest at the bandit's hideout could be missing.
• Hard Times - Fixed an issue where Geralt couldn't talk or give the letter to the blacksmith.
• Swift as the Western Winds - Fixed an issue where the quest could sometimes fail despite winning the horse race.
• Echoes of the Past - Fixed an issue where, after defeating the Foglets, the quest could get stuck and it wouldn't be possible to talk to Yennefer.
• Wine Wars - Fixed an issue where the quest couldn't be completed if the player destroyed one of the required monster nests during exploration.
• Fixed an issue where clearing the Ruined Inn Abandoned Site situated on the southern shore of Ard Skellig was not possible in certain scenarios.
• Fixed an issue where the Grandmaster Wolven Set wouldn't require Mastercrafted items.
• Various small fixes to quests and cutscenes.

Remember – these are just the highlights! There are lots of changes in this update, so check them out for yourself in the game!

I dont see Close Combat camera and other close up camera options in Xbox OneS..is that only for PC ??

 

[LeKill3rFou]

I dont see Close Combat camera and other close up camera options in Xbox OneS..is that only for PC ??

No, normally it's in Menu > Settings > Game
At the very bottom (camera range exploration/combat/horse - default/close)
Below the new signs feature and camera assist during fight.
I don't ask if you really updated the game because on Xbox you don't really have the choice^^
In case you don't see them, try to clear the cache.

Clear cache on Xbox — The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | Technical Support — CD PROJEKT RED

Welcome to CD PROJEKT RED Technical Support! Here you will find help regarding our games and services, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.

support.cdprojektred.com

 

[Xendarel]

Raw Meat and I assume easily accessible foods were nerfed. Raw Meat now recovers 15 Vitality from the previous 50. Gourmet is no longer giving me the mileage it used to have. My first playthrough is punishing me for playing Death March! and I am far from crafting the Echidna Decoction What other mechanics did they change that they did not highlight?

 

[LeKill3rFou]

What other mechanics did they change that they did not highlight?

Some skills have been reduced from 5 to 3 points. And I could be wrong, but running does no longer consume stamina (unlike before)

 

[clockwork871]

As I am seeing other people already mention it, I'm here to echo my support for putting food back the way it was. I have cognitive, and physical disabilities and honestly, food/gourmet healing was what allowed me to play this game. I appreciate everything you all have done to improve one of my favorite games, but now it's practically unplayable for me. Here is hoping you can change it back, or give us an option to opt out of this.

 

[LuckyCat]

Some skills have been reduced from 5 to 3 points. And I could be wrong, but running does no longer consume stamina (unlike before)

Yes, it's really nice to get some skill points back. I can now breathe better. its more playable at early levels. in the beginning of the game, ver. 1.32, you REALLY have to choose your skills very wisely! Otherwise, you're going to have to deal with it.

 

[dark_geralt_00]

I just applied the update on PS4, loaded my save and went to check the Ruined Inn Abandoned Site. But it's still not cleared nor reset to be cleared again.
If i had to start a new playthrough to clear this site i would have done it before and make sure that it's cleared by following what was shared before without this fix. So i assume this fix concern only a new playthrough or a save before trying to clear this site ? What about people that are stuck like me and don't want to start a new game just to clear this site ?

Anybody else checked this after the update ?

Thanks.

 

[LuckyCat]

Raw Meat and I assume easily accessible foods were nerfed. Raw Meat now recovers 15 Vitality from the previous 50. Gourmet is no longer giving me the mileage it used to have. My first playthrough is punishing me for playing Death March! and I am far from crafting the Echidna Decoction What other mechanics did they change that they did not highlight?

I'm going to speak gibberish.

I can see why they nerfed the foods. I wasn't using Shallow potions at all in ver. 1.32. Only problem I have now with some potions in ver. 4.0...effect durations are way too short. Then what is the point of "Relic"? (Extra potion?) it's getting to the point where I'm not feeling its "Relic"... how many potions do I need to drink to fight a single monster?! I'm at a level 20 vs level 34 Monters. in my opinion, I like the idea of having enhanced weapon/armor and drink same potions (at least 1 or 2 times) that last entire "mission".

Then playing Death March! is not for you. But, if you really want to pull it through, really have to study your character skills and keep
practicing not to get hurt! Devs did a really nice job pushing us to balance our red/blue/green/brown skills.

I also have a suggestion for Devs; I don't think enhanced weapon/armor/potions duration paused during mission scene (they are mainly for fighting). I would like them to be paused and then resume when you start moving your character. I'm a type of person like to record my game/playthrough like a movie, by having me traveling to some place and just re-enhance my weapon and armor in the middle of the mission is not ideal...

As I am seeing other people already mention it, I'm here to echo my support for putting food back the way it was. I have cognitive, and physical disabilities and honestly, food/gourmet healing was what allowed me to play this game. I appreciate everything you all have done to improve one of my favorite games, but now it's practically unplayable for me. Here is hoping you can change it back, or give us an option to opt out of this.

Interesting, best solution i can think of...lower your gameplay difficulty (I'm assuming you're playing at a higher difficulty). There are some skills add protections to your character vs monster. Enhance your armor and weapon every time! There's Quen skills as well.

Nice skills to have:
Character skills - Green: Frenzy (trail of the grasses), Poisoned Blades (oil preparation), Protective coating (oil preparation)

Fun idea, fight at night, drink tawny owl potion that never expire at night. Can cast signs like crazy. ^^

 

[DaltonMaggot]

Manual saves dont work anymore.

 

[LuckyCat]

Manual saves dont work anymore.

Oh! Why is that?

Are you a PC user?

 

[Kreisegger]

'sigh' Yeah I didn't expect less, after the new next gen update things has gotten worse, so common these days.

Anyways

CDPR literally give us one of the worst thing ever created in gaming, which is additional launcher, like WTF needs those things anymore, every big company made the same mistake and they don't understand that we hate those launchers so bad. I understand that you've made the launcher to be able to change the DirectX version, but believe you don't need that, because Steam itself has the option when you open a game it shows you which DirectX version you want to use.

The second big problem is the performance and the bugs, which is a common asset to CDPR games and I'm not gonna even talk about Cyberpunk.
I just can't believe that an almost 8 year old game(at the moment when I write this review) has such bad performance even on a freaking 4090 which is absurd. Literally when I turn the famous RTX ON the games act like I don't have a graphic card anymore. I don't even want to imagine what happens to lower Graphics Cards. The bugs are still there too and somebody please tell me why I can't open my Steam in game overlay when I'm playing on DirectX 12.

I recently saw that the reviews for this game have gone down the hill, which it makes me so sad, because I've always saw this game as a classic masterpiece, and now you are just mocking him with bad updates, it's not the way I remembered CDPR but times have change for the worse I see.

My advice: Stop acting like PC players don't exist, give us some patches, and leave the game alone, don't ruin it anymore that you've done already.
If the game is gonna get patched and things are gonna be on the right track, I'm gonna change my review.
But probably no one is gonna read it anyway.