The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the most GOTY’d games ever, surpassed only by Elden Ring last year. And, while the open-world RPG title, which firmly put CD Projekt RED on the map as a premiere developer, boasts the kind of longevity most games can only ever dream of having (plus a banger of a live action adaptation on Netflix, at least until Season 3), it still falls short when compared to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for one simple reason – modding.
Now, nearly a decade after it first burst into the scene, the award-winning title aims to bolster its already impressive run with a significant new addition in 2024: a mod editor.
CDPR revealed their plans for Wild Hunt on social media, stating, “We’re thrilled to announce that we’re working on a mod editor for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt! It will allow you to create your own experiences in the game by making something completely new or editing existing quests and content.” This free mod editor, however, will be exclusive to PC users, leaving console players out of the equation.
We're thrilled to announce that we're working on a mod editor for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt! ⚔️
It will allow you to create your own experiences in the game by making something completely new or editing existing quests and content. We’re planning on releasing it for free in 2024.… pic.twitter.com/e2kvXRqegZ
— The Witcher (@witchergame) November 15, 2023
Make no mistake, the modding community has done an excellent job helping The Witcher 3 remain relevant. Over the years, talented modders have created a diverse range of mods, from enhancing visuals to introducing quality-of-life improvements and that was all without “official” support. Now, with the release of impending official mod tools, the possibilities for extending and enriching the game’s content grow exponentially. Modders will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the game’s world, potentially creating new questlines and expansive playable content akin to renowned Skyrim mods like Falskaar and Wyrmstooth.
This move from CDPR helps cement The Witcher 3’s legacy as an all-time great in the collective history of video games. Think of Skyrim, a game whose life has been extended significantly through its vibrant modding scene. The Witcher 3 is set to follow in these footsteps, ensuring its place in gaming history as a title with a long and dynamic legacy.
The decision to release a mod editor comes as part of CD Projekt Red’s broader strategy, as the studio shifts focus to its upcoming projects. With the next Witcher and Cyberpunk games slated to run on Unreal Engine, moving away from the in-house REDengine, this announcement could be interpreted as a nod to the community to carry the torch for the now-abandoned engine forward.
What’s particularly exciting is the potential for player-driven innovation and creativity. With modders having access to a suite of tools, we can expect a surge in unique and immersive mods, from new adventures for Geralt to new themes and characters. This initiative will not only rejuvenate interest in the game but also empower a new generation of content creators to leave their mark on the Witcher universe.
However, the mod editor’s PC-only limitation does highlight a gap in accessibility, highlighting the still-existing divide a lot of games have between PC and console gamers. Despite this, the mod editor is a game-changer for The Witcher 3, signaling CD Projekt Red’s commitment to its fan base and the game’s long-term vitality.
This development also raises questions about the future of game modding. As the gaming industry evolves, integration of official modding tools like this could become a standard for extending the life of major titles, further blurring the lines between game development and community involvement.
In the meantime, as fans eagerly await more details about the mod editor, they can also look forward to an array of a handful of upcoming Witcher projects, including a remake of the original game, a spin-off titled Project Sirius, and the start of a new Witcher trilogy with Project Polaris. With these projects on the horizon and a vibrant modding future for The Witcher 3, CD Projekt Red is positioning itself for an exciting era of gaming experiences, driven both by official content and community creativity.
Now, if only Netflix’s live-action adaptation has a mod editor. We’re pretty sure most modders would love to edit Liam Hemsworth out and put Henry Cavill back in for future seasons following his departure last year.
Skyrim continues to remain popular well over a decade into its release, even surpassing the player count of Starfield, the latest game by Bethesda.
