At CD Projekt Red, we’ve long said that the next-gen update to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will harness the full capabilities of next-gen hardware. But what does that mean for PlayStation 5? Let’s break down some of the features gamers can expect to see when the update rolls out on December 14th.
There’s no better place to start than with the unique haptics available on PlayStation 5! Technical Director for Sound and Management Colin Walder wants to ensure that the capabilities of the DualSense Controllers are used to their full potential. According to Walder, “One way we’ve been able to do that is by converting specific elements of the sound into detailed shapes and vibrating textures that sync perfectly with the action in the game.” In practice, this means looking for relevant actions in the game — not just Geralt’s, but the wider world to ensure players get haptic feedback on their next journey. theirs across the Continent. Now, going underwater, picking herbs, winning (or losing!) a game of cards and riding (to name a few) will all be more real than ever.
“The developers have approached this mission in a way that helps players have an intrinsic connection with not only Geralt but also the wider Witcher world using the amazing DualSense 5 technology,” said Walder. “Feeling every spin and shot, every Sign delivered and the earth under your shoes is a real pleasure, and combining this with the new Immersive 3D Sound creates additional layers of immersion. complement that in ways that we have never been able to integrate before.”
For those experiencing the game for the first time, we have something for you! Or, well – if it’s been a while since you last started The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you might find this very helpful as well. Players can now use PlayStation 5’s Game Help for quest hints! Publisher Artur Kepen, who worked closely with Sony to create the system, promised: “The PlayStation Game Help will provide helpful tips and tricks for both new and existing players. ! If you get lost in your adventure, you’ll often find a video showing what to do to complete the quest or a screenshot of the area to accurately mark your mission objective.” The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt features a massive open world, and it’s an additional way to keep track of where to go next.
Don’t forget the Activity Card! Keeping track of your game progress has never been easier with the help of this handy PlayStation 5 feature. Get right back into the game with minimal load time and follow your journey as you and Geralt make their way across the Continent in search of Ciri.
Of course, bringing the game to contemporary gamers’ standards also means introducing two new modes: Performance and Ray Tracing. Performance mode prioritizes frame rates at 60FPS, while Ray Tracing targets 30FPS and includes ray-tracing Global Illumination, allowing for more realistic illumination, as well as Ray-Tracking Ambient Removal , allowing for more accurate and efficient surface illumination. To further enhance these graphics enhancements, you can expect a range of fully integrated community-generated mods including 4K textures and models, watermark enhancements, and visual bug fixes. . On top of that, we’ve added our own graphics and gameplay improvements. And of course, Photo Mode is now available to showcase the beauty of the Continent. (Pro tip: Ray tracing is perfect for some truly breathtaking shots!)
We’ve even added some for fans of Netflix’s The Witcher series. Players can choose to turn on an alternate outfit for the Dandelion and Nilgaardian army NPCs, and access two armor sets and earn Geralt after completing a new quest called “In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow” . Other features include a new camera mode, map filter toggles, and cross progress—meaning you can use cloud saves to jump across platforms. With just one day left until the update, we’re excited to have everyone back (or starting their first journey) tomorrow!
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is available through the PlayStation Store on PlayStation 4 and 5. On December 14, all existing players will receive the next-gen update for free.
