Game Help and Activity Cards, DualSense controller functionality, and CD Projekt Red.
We at CD Projekt Red have long proclaimed that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s next-generation update will take full advantage of next-gen hardware. How does that affect the PlayStation 5 though? Let’s go over some of the things that players can look forward to when the update launches on December 14th.

There is no better place to begin than with the distinctive haptics offered by the PlayStation 5! Colin Walder, Engineering Director for Management and Audio, wanted to make sure that the DualSense Controller’s potential was fully utilized. “One way we were able to do that is by turning specific aspects of our music into intricate shapes and textures of vibration that are exactly timed with action in the game,” claims Walder. In order to ensure that players got tactile input on their upcoming trip through the Continent, this in practice required searching the game for pertinent acts, not just those of Geralt but also those of the larger world. Now it will feel more realistic than ever to walk underwater, collect herbs, win (or lose!) a game of cards, and mount a horse, to mention a few.

Using the amazing DualSense 5 technology, “the devs handled this assignment in a way that would offer the player a visceral connection to not only Geralt but also throughout the greater Witcher universe,” Walder added. “It’s a tremendous thrill to be able to feel every swing and strike, every cast Sign, and the dirt beneath your boots, and combining this with more immersive 3D Audio adds those added layers of immersion in ways we were never able to incorporate before.”

We have something for people who are playing the game for the first time! You might also find this useful if it has been a while since you last started The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Now, players can view mission suggestions in the PlayStation 5’s Game Help! Sony’s close collaborator on the system’s release, Artur Kepen, made the commitment that “PlayStation Game Help will offer helpful tips and tricks to both new and existing users! If you get lost while exploring, you can frequently find a video showing what needs to be done to finish a task or a screenshot of the region showing where your quest objective should be marked. This is another way to keep track of where to travel next in the wide open world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Remember to use Activity Cards! With the aid of this helpful PlayStation 5 function, keeping track of your game’s progress has never been simpler. Keep track of your travels as you and Geralt travel the Continent in quest of Ciri by returning to the game immediately after a brief break from it.

Naturally, updating the game to meet the expectations of modern players also requires adding two new modes: Performance and Ray Tracing. While Ray Tracing strives for 30FPS and features Ray Traced Global Illumination, which enables more realistic lighting, as well as Ray Traced Ambient Occlusion, which enables more accurate and useful surface illumination, Performance Mode prioritizes frame rate at 60FPS. You may anticipate a variety of fully integrated community-made mods, such as 4K textures and models, immersion upgrades, and visual bug fixes, to support these graphic advances even further. We’ve also improved the gameplay and graphics on top of that. Naturally, Photo Mode is now accessible to display the splendor of the Continent. (Pro tip: Ray Tracing Mode works wonders for some incredibly beautiful pictures!)

For viewers of The Witcher on Netflix, we even contributed something. After finishing a brand-new mission called “In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow,” players will get access to two armor sets and swords for Geralt as well as the option to toggle on a different outfit for Dandelion and Nilgaardian army NPCs. Other changes include a new camera option, toggles for map filtering, and cross-progression, which enables platform switching via cloud saves. We can’t wait for everyone to get back in (or embark on their first adventure) tomorrow with only one day left till the update!

On the PlayStation 4 and 5, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is accessible through the PlayStation Store. All current gamers will get a free upgrade to the next generation on December 14.