The Next-Gen update for "The Witcher 3" will include RTGI, RTAO and Ultra+ settings on PC.
The Next-Gen update for "The Witcher 3" will include RTGI, RTAO and Ultra+ settings on PC.
Well, it seems most people have probably played 'Witcher 3: Wild Hunt' at some stage. If not, this presents a perfect opportunity for those new to the series to experience it once more. It's a chance to revisit the past and replay the game if you wish, especially with an upcoming next-gen release on the horizon. I haven't finished all the main and side missions in Witcher 3, so I might be interested in trying the new Complete Edition soon.
I'm uncertain whether the earlier released mods (textures, graphics, gameplay) will also function with this new version. However, it seems unlikely from my perspective.
The highly anticipated free next-gen upgrade for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is set to launch on December 14th, 2022. It brings significant visual enhancements, making it an ideal candidate for benchmarking in 4K with full RT settings enabled. It would be fascinating to see how the RTX 4090 performs at 4K resolution.
From a technical standpoint, CD Projekt clearly demonstrated their capabilities during the initial livestream, but PC users can anticipate support for features like ray tracing, DLSS, and FSR, plus a range of new Ultra Plus graphics options that enhance background details, level of detail, and more.
During the first look, CD Projekt shared details about Ray Tracing effects for PC, including RTGI and RTAO. They also introduced new Ultra+ settings that push many GPUs, improved SSR, and added support for both NVIDIA DLSS 2 and AMD FSR 2.0.
Visual improvements are widespread: grass and foliage have been redesigned, weather conditions more dynamic, textures and meshes at higher resolutions. Even the cobblestones in Novigrad now use full 3D mapping instead of normal maps. Players will notice subtle details like smoke drifting from chimneys in distant villages.
Console gamers will also benefit from CD Projekt's enhancements, with new Performance and Quality modes offering choices between 30fps visuals or prioritized 60fps. More details about console-specific features will be revealed before the release.
Beyond visuals, CD Projekt has added several new features and quality-of-life upgrades. A new Photo Mode lets players adjust FOV, depth of field, aperture, focus distances, exposure, and contrast for perfect shots. An optional in-game camera brings the player closer to the action, whether walking, riding, or both.
New map filters are introduced, hiding question-mark icons and allowing the mini-map to be hidden during exploration. The mini-map can be restored instantly with a button press and will appear automatically in combat.
Controls have also seen refinements: holding a button during combat lets players instantly trigger a chosen action without opening the radial map, and a new sprint tap option is added for Geralt.
Accessibility has improved with larger HUD elements and expanded subtitle options, plus better language support including Chinese dubbing and subtitles. Other tweaks include a new pause function for cutscenes, fixes for stuttering cutscenes, and resolved quest line issues—promising a smoother experience.
Cross-progression and cross-save support are now available across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Additionally, there will be DLC content inspired by Netflix's The Witcher TV series, featuring new armor and weapons for Geralt, a redesigned outfit for Jaskier based on the show, and a new quest tied to their acquisition with Doug Cockle returning in the lead role.
The free next-gen update and its previous version will both be available on December 14th, 2022.
Source: thewitcher.com | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Next-Gen Update Trailer and REDstreams summary
View: https://youtu.be/nBT2SP21f3Q
View: https://youtu.be/Eqvcbfsk8IU
Some updates have been shared. ElAnalistaDeBits and Cycu1 have posted comparison videos showing the graphical improvements in the Next-Gen Update compared to the original versions of The Witcher 3. These clips highlight some unusual flickering in certain scenes and locations. The Next-Gen release is expected to bring numerous visual, performance, and technical upgrades, including RT and various mods from the start. CDPR is rumored to feature an HD Rework Project, though no official confirmation has been made.
The so-called HYPED next-gen update is now out. And from the looks of it, the game is a BUGGY mess right now. The Witcher 3 Next-Gen is really rough, and needs a lot of polish as well as optimization improvements!
The Witcher 3 Next-Gen is another “Cyberpunk 2077” buggy mess at launch
As reported by
DSOG:
(though, I'm also waiting for other news/gaming outlets to post their own review/feedback as well, to check whether this is a widespread issue or not, before jumping on any conclusion).
"Right now, this Update is a buggy mess as it has numerous bugs and optimization issues.
The first game-breaking bug we encountered was when starting a new game. If you select to simulate a Witcher 2 save, the game will prevent you from manually saving. Not only that, but it will prompt you with the following error when attempting to resume your progress.
Then there are the crashes. With or without Ray Tracing, the game was really unstable. For unknown reasons, the game would randomly crash. We haven’t figured out why the game is crashing but even with the latest NVIDIA drivers, the game has stability issues. For what it’s worth, all other games are stable on our PC system (so that’s not a hardware issue). Furthermore, a lot of Steam users are also experiencing crashes with The Witcher 3 Next-Gen.
There are also numerous graphical issues with the Ray Tracing effects. For instance, the lighting can change right in front of you. Moreover, shadows can pop in/change two meters away from you. Don’t get me wrong, the game can look great with its Ray Tracing. However, it’s really hard to appreciate these effects when shadows, reflections and lighting change right in front of you.
Let’s also not forget the stuttering issues that currently plague this game.
Lastly, almost none of the performance overlay programs are currently working with The Witcher 3 Next-Gen (not even Steam overlay). The only overlay program that works is GeForce Now’s Performance Tool, which we’ll be using for our GPU benchmarks."
Well, its a free upgrade. So, not to concerned with the bugs. they going to fix it....pretty sure of it.
But I tested it last night with the 4080. Wow....I am kinda blown away and sold on DLSS 3.0 frame generation. Besides one bug that I experienced (has to do with scrolling through savegames), I had no issues in 2 hours just running around in Novigrad. This looks absolutely stunning. I set everything on Raytracing Ultra with DLSS on Quality and frame generation activated. I have consistent 110 fps in 1440p with smooth frametimes. No spikes. Very nice showcase for the technology....
If someone else wants to try it out...go to Novigard and set time at sunset or sunrise.....stunning....
Here’s how the update was resolved regarding MSI Afterburner functionality.
Additionally, CD Projekt RED has recently released the updated list of The Witcher 3 Next-Gen issues they are currently examining. Performance problems remain a concern for many users. It seems that reverting to the earlier PC version is the only viable option at this time, especially if the game behaves poorly on certain systems. However, not all players are facing these challenges.
The main concerns for AMD/Intel GPUs appear to be more significant than those related to NVIDIA. CDPR has not mentioned CPU optimization problems or the extremely high demands of ray tracing. Furthermore, they haven’t highlighted the game’s frequent stuttering, RT pop-in errors, or graphical glitches.
Currently, the team is focusing on resolving these specific issues.
Some aspects might relate to graphics drivers as well. I replayed it last night and, aside from the odd save game scrolling issue, everything worked fine. Nvidia released a driver update recently that includes optimizations for the upcoming Witcher next-gen version. I haven’t encountered any performance problems. As mentioned before, at 1440p with the highest settings, ray tracing, DLSS quality, and frame generation I achieve around 110fps with consistent frame rates. This game runs smoothly in DX11 without all the ray tracing features if the hardware isn’t powerful enough. It seems AMD and Intel may need to improve their drivers. I’m playing the GOG Game of the Year edition, by the way.
By the way, I don’t notice any stutters. Frame times are consistent. Even on a 4080, smooth performance is only possible with DLSS. That’s essential....
To fix the Riva statistics, you’ll need to delete a file from one of the installation folders (something). I’m not currently on my gaming PC, so I’ll check the location and filename later and share it here.
To ensure Riva operates correctly, perform the following: search for the specified file in the installation directory and delete it (I simply create a backup folder there and place it there, just in case I need to restore it): "d3d11on12.dll". It resides in the "bin" folder. That's all. Once that file is removed, Riva tuner functions properly (or adjust the name or location if needed).