DLC “Ballads of the Past” for “The Witcher 3”: release date, platforms, and localization
- The DLC 'Ballads of the Past' will be released in 2027.
- Support for PC, PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2.
- Text localization into Russian, voiceover has not been announced yet.
At the opening of gamescom Opening Night Live 2026, representatives of CD Projekt RED presented a new expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 'Ballads of the Past'. According to Fool’s Theory studio head Jakub Rokosz, the DLC will be available in 2027.
The release is planned simultaneously on several platforms: personal computers via Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and Battle.net, as well as PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the new Nintendo Switch 2. All versions will feature Russian text localization, but there have been no official announcements regarding Russian voiceover yet.
Along with the announcement, the studio revealed a free remaster of the original The Witcher 3, which will be available to players on September 29 of this year. This update includes improved graphics and technical enhancements but does not change the core storyline.
Platform details
'Ballads of the Past' will be available on popular digital stores for PC. On Battle.net, the game will be presented as a pre-order, and full access to the DLC will only open after the official release. On consoles, the game will be available in the standard online stores of the respective platforms.
The presence of the Nintendo Switch 2 in the list of supported devices indicates CDPR's desire to expand its audience on portable consoles, despite the technical limitations typical of hybrid systems.
Localization and community response
The Russian localization of the text will be included in all versions of the DLC, however, the absence of voice acting in Russian has caused dissatisfaction among some players. The studio has previously faced criticism for the lack of Russian voice acting in some projects, including the DLC for Cyberpunk 2077.
Communities on social media and forums have expressed concerns that the absence of voice acting may become a barrier for players who prefer a fully localized product. Some users have also noted that CDPR has previously delayed support for older consoles, which may also affect 'Ballads of the Past'.
Nevertheless, official representatives of CDPR emphasized that work on localization continues and promised to provide more detailed information closer to the release date.
For players who have already purchased The Witcher 3 on older platforms, a free remaster will be available, which may serve as an incentive to transition to the new versions of the game and subsequent expansions.
Overall, the announcement of the DLC 'Ballads of the Past' confirms the ongoing support for The Witcher 3 from the developers, despite some technical and localization issues that remain unresolved.
Source: StopGame
