The Witcher 3 hides original story and new country

The Untold Story Behind The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past

When fans await a major expansion for a masterpiece like The Witcher 3, they are waiting for more than just new quests; they are waiting for deeper lore. The story behind the upcoming expansion, Songs of the Past, reveals a fascinating glimpse into the creative journey of CD Projekt Red.

It turns out, the narrative seeds for the expansion were planted long before the game’s official launch. Co-developer Jakub Rokosz, CEO of Fool’s Theory, explains that the core story for the expansion was conceived early on by the original creators, Ola Motyka and Philip Weber. However, they had to put these creative ideas aside, waiting for the right moment—a time when everything would finally align.

“Stars had to align” for these elements to fully come to fruition. As the development of the base game and the growth of Fool’s Theory took shape, the topic resurfaced, prompting the team to dig deeper. This process involved continuously expanding the scope and exploring the ideas, which is how Songs of the Past evolved from an idea into the expansive world we see today.

The expansion is set to arrive in 2027 and will serve as the third major addition to the Witcher 3 universe. Despite its somewhat delayed release, it promises the same level of depth and substance as previous expansions, offering a truly meaty experience for players.

The narrative is rooted in Letten, a location that CD Projekt Red describes as a fully realized open world in its own right. This setting provides the necessary space to explore the story and the characters in an immersive environment.

A major focus of the expansion is giving the character of Dandelion more room to breathe. Senior quest designer Despoina Anetaki highlights that the addition allows players to truly explore Dandelion, moving beyond his role in the books to delve into his deeper motivations. In the novels, Dandelion engages in profound philosophical conversations with Geralt, and the game finally provides the space to witness a more complex side of him and his story.

By expanding the world and deepening the focus on its characters, Songs of the Past offers players a rich opportunity to discover the full, layered story of the world and its most memorable figures.