The Cut Quest in The Witcher 3 That Would Have Had Geralt Join the Wild Hunt as an Insider
Celebrating a Decade of The Witcher 3: Behind the Scenes and Hidden Content
As The Witcher 3 marks its tenth anniversary, CD Projekt RED is sharing intriguing stories from the game’s development journey and early versions. Interestingly, even before its official release, the game was planned to be even more expansive, revealing how much effort went into creating this beloved RPG.
The Early Stages: A Bare-Bones World
In the initial phases of development, the game’s world was almost empty—aside from a few quests, there was very little content. This sparse landscape didn’t sit well with the developers and management, prompting the team to breathe life into the map by adding numerous points of interest, commonly known as “question marks,” to encourage exploration and discovery.
When Size Became a Challenge
However, as they expanded the game’s scope, the world grew significantly larger, posing new challenges. To maintain quality and manageable scope, the studio had to make difficult decisions, including cutting certain storylines. One notable cut was a questline where Geralt joins the Wild Hunt as an undercover spy, aiming to uncover the motives behind the spectral riders. Fans will never get to experience this intriguing storyline, which was ultimately removed from the final version.
More Connections and Surprises
The developers also recall their desire to forge a stronger link between The Witcher 3 and its predecessor, as well as initial plans that didn’t include Gwent. Interestingly, the rules for the Gwent card game were created in just three days, highlighting the rapid development process behind key features.
Releases, Updates, and Future Plans
The original launch of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt took place on May 19, 2015, across Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Today, players can purchase the complete edition with all DLCs for around $229, with a promotional offer running until May 25.
Anniversary Highlights and Community Creations
To celebrate the tenth anniversary, CD Projekt RED released a trailer commemorating a decade of Geralt’s adventures. Additionally, last year the studio introduced a content editor that allows fans and community creators to develop new mods, expanding the game’s universe. The company also held a contest to showcase the best fan-made story mods, fostering ongoing engagement.
What’s Next for The Witcher Series?
As for The Witcher 4, there is still no official release date or window. Most likely, it won’t arrive before 2027. CD Projekt RED has promised that the next installment will surpass the scope of Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3, aiming to deliver an even more ambitious and expansive experience for fans.
Alex "Pixel" Petrov
Gaming journalist & industry insider. Covers the latest game releases, updates, and behind-the-scenes dev stories. Knows every Easter egg, patch note, and upcoming title worth hyping. Always gaming, always analyzing.