CD Projekt Announces 'Songs of the Past' Expansion for The Witcher 3

CD Projekt 宣布《巫師 3》將推出擴展內容「Songs of the Past」

May 27, 2026, 12:32
EuropeEntertainment

Introduction

CD Projekt has confirmed the development of a third story expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, titled 'Songs of the Past', scheduled for release in 2027.

CD Projekt 已確認將為《巫師 3：狂獵》開發第三個故事擴展內容，名為「Songs of the Past」，預計於 2027 年發行。

Main Body

The announcement of 'Songs of the Past' establishes a strategic bridge between the existing title and the forthcoming fourth installment of the franchise. This expansion is being co-developed through a partnership between CD Projekt and Fool’s Theory, a Polish studio comprised of former CD Projekt personnel. The project will be restricted to current-generation hardware, specifically PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, thereby necessitating a hardware upgrade for users of legacy systems.

「Songs of the Past」的公布，在現有作品與即將推出的第四部作品之間建立了戰略橋樑。本次擴展內容由 CD Projekt 與 Fool’s Theory 合作開發，後者是一家由前 CD Projekt 員工組成的波蘭工作室。該計畫將僅限於當前世代硬體，具體為 PlayStation 5、Xbox Series X/S 及 PC，因此使用舊系統的用戶必須升級硬體。

From a market perspective, the disclosure precipitated a 4% decline in CD Projekt's share price. This volatility is attributed to a discrepancy between the announced 2027 window and investor expectations of a 2026 launch. Furthermore, analysts suggest that this timeline may imply a postponement of the fourth Witcher title to 2028. The decision to announce the project via social media was characterized by the company as a response to an accidental disclosure via the RED Launcher application.

從市場角度來看，此次披露導致 CD Projekt 股價下跌了 4%。這種波動歸因於公布的 2027 年時間窗口與投資者預期 2026 年推出的落差。此外，分析師認為此時間表可能暗示第四部《巫師》作品將推遲至 2028 年。公司表示，之所以決定透過社交媒體公布計畫，是為了回應 RED Launcher 應用程式意外洩露資訊的情況。

Historically, the expansion represents an anomalous extension of the game's lifecycle, arriving over a decade after the 2015 premiere of the base game. This prolonged support is likely predicated on the title's commercial performance, having achieved sales exceeding 60 million units. While the protagonist, Geralt of Rivia, is confirmed to return, further narrative details remain classified until late summer.

從歷史上看，這次擴展內容代表了遊戲生命週期的一次異常延伸，在 2015 年原版遊戲首發十年後才推出。這種長期的支持可能基於該作品的商業表現，其銷量已超過 6,000 萬份。雖然已確認主角利維亞的傑洛特將回歸，但更多敘事細節將在夏季晚些時候才公布。

Conclusion

The expansion is slated for a 2027 release on current-generation platforms, with further details pending a summer disclosure.

該擴展內容預計於 2027 年在當前世代平台發行，更多詳情將於夏季公布。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of 'Nominalization' and the C2 Transition

To move from B2 (communicative competence) to C2 (conceptual mastery), a learner must shift from action-oriented prose to concept-oriented prose. The provided text is a masterclass in Nominalization—the process of turning verbs (actions) into nouns (concepts). This is the hallmark of academic, legal, and high-level corporate English.

⚡ The Linguistic Pivot

Observe how the text avoids simple subject-verb-object structures in favor of dense noun phrases:

  • B2 Approach: "The company announced the project on social media because someone accidentally leaked it through the RED Launcher." (Active, narrative, linear).
  • C2 Approach: "The decision to announce the project via social media was characterized... as a response to an accidental disclosure..." (Abstract, analytical, detached).

Why this matters: By transforming 'announced' →\rightarrow 'the decision to announce' and 'leaked' →\rightarrow 'disclosure', the writer shifts the focus from the people performing the action to the phenomenon itself. This allows for greater precision and a formal distance known as objective modality.

🔍 Deconstructing the "C2 Chain"

Let's dissect a specific sequence:

"This volatility is attributed to a discrepancy between the announced 2027 window and investor expectations..."

  1. Volatility (Noun) ←\leftarrow replaces "The price changed quickly" (Verb/Adverb).
  2. Attributed to (Passive construction) ←\leftarrow creates a causal link without needing a human subject.
  3. Discrepancy (Noun) ←\leftarrow replaces "The dates were different" (Adjective).

🛠️ Application for the Aspiring Master

To replicate this, stop asking 'Who did what?' and start asking 'What is the name of this occurrence?'

B2 / C1 PhrasingC2 Nominalized Equivalent
Because the game sold so well...Predicated on the title's commercial performance...
Since the hardware is old, users must upgrade.Necessitating a hardware upgrade for users of legacy systems.
They haven't told us the story yet.Further narrative details remain classified.

Scholarly Note: The use of 'anomalous extension' and 'precipitated a decline' further exemplifies the C2 preference for Latinate vocabulary over Germanic phrasal verbs, reinforcing the text's authoritative tone.

Vocabulary Learning

strategic (adj.)
Relating to or constituting a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim.
Example:The company’s strategic decision to enter the Asian market was aimed at expanding its global footprint.
bridge (n.)
A structure built to span a physical obstacle, or a means of connecting two different points or ideas.
Example:Her presentation served as a bridge between the technical team and the marketing department.
forthcoming (adj.)
About to be released, announced, or appear.
Example:The forthcoming report will detail the company's financial performance for the year.
partnership (n.)
An association in which two or more parties work together toward a common goal.
Example:The partnership between the two studios allowed for a more robust development process.
restricted (adj.)
Limited or confined to a particular scope or set of conditions.
Example:The game’s content is restricted to players over 18 years old.
necessitating (v.)
Requiring or making necessary.
Example:The new security protocols necessitating a hardware upgrade for older systems.
legacy (adj.)
Relating to an inherited tradition or technology that is outdated but still in use.
Example:Legacy software often requires compatibility layers to run on modern hardware.
disclosure (n.)
The act of revealing information that was previously confidential.
Example:The accidental disclosure of the game's plot caused a surge in speculation.
precipitated (v.)
Caused or brought about, especially suddenly.
Example:The announcement precipitated a sharp decline in the company's stock price.
volatility (n.)
The quality or state of being unstable or prone to rapid change.
Example:Market volatility can lead to unpredictable swings in share prices.
discrepancy (n.)
A lack of compatibility or agreement between two or more facts or figures.
Example:The discrepancy between the projected launch date and investor expectations caused concern.
attributed (v.)
Assigned as the cause or source of something.
Example:The decline was attributed to the mismatch between release timing and market expectations.
postponement (n.)
The act of delaying or putting off an event.
Example:The postponement of the fourth title was announced to align with the new release schedule.
characterized (v.)
Described or defined by particular qualities.
Example:The expansion was characterized by its deep narrative and expansive world-building.
anomalous (adj.)
Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.
Example:The game’s anomalous extension of its lifecycle surprised many critics.
lifecycle (n.)
The series of stages through which a product or system passes from inception to retirement.
Example:The developers extended the game's lifecycle by adding new content.
predicated (v.)
Based on or founded upon a particular premise or condition.
Example:The support for the title was predicated on its commercial success.
protagonist (n.)
The main character around whom the story revolves.
Example:Geralt of Rivia remains the protagonist in the forthcoming expansion.
classified (adj.)
Kept secret or restricted from public knowledge.
Example:The narrative details of the expansion remain classified until the official reveal.
pending (adj.)
Awaiting a decision or outcome.
Example:Further details are pending until the summer disclosure.
current-generation (adj.)
Referring to the latest or most recent iteration of technology or devices.
Example:The expansion will be available on current-generation platforms such as PlayStation 5.
Practice C2 words in a crossword→