The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, in case you haven't heard, is getting a free next-gen update releasing on December 14th and it might make it even better on Steam Deck.
While it is already Steam Deck Verified, a few additions to the new version sound like they might improve it. The big one is FSR 2.1, which should allow you to get some better performance and battery life with it. It's worked wonders for other games, like Dying Light 2 and Cyberpunk 2077. Another nice addition is the ability to scale up subtitles, dialogue text and NPC chatter (things all games should have!).
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Some of what's been announced includes:
- Improved visuals - Ray Tracing, improved Screen Space Reflections, improved foliage, better textures and more visual improvements are coming to the game. Enjoy them to the fullest thanks to FSR 2.1 and DLSS 3 support!
- Camera, controls and UI changes - Rediscover the Continent from a new perspective — we've added an alternative camera option that'll bring you closer to the action. Combined with the alternative Quick Sign Casting option, map filtering and the option to dynamically hide the minimap, it will make exploration even more exciting than before!
- Photo mode - Capture the moment with the added photo mode! Does that mean there will be a The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt photo mode contest in the near future? Maybe.
- Integrated mods - We've included some community-made favourites in addition to our own modifications.
- Quest fixes - You've been asking for them — and we couldn't say no! The next-gen update has also been an opportunity to revisit some of the issues in the quests. The free next-gen update brings fixes to From Ofier's Distant Shores, Scavenger Hunt: Wolf School Gear and more!
- Netflix DLC -We have a very special treat for all of the fans of the Netflix show! Enjoy alternative looks for Dandelion and Nilfgaardian soldiers, as well as a new quest, inspired by the show, where you'll be able to get diagrams for new equipment for Geralt. What's the quest? Shhh! No spoilers!
- Cross-progression - A feature you know from Cyberpunk 2077 — play the game how you like, wherever you like and carry over your latest save between platforms.
Maybe I'll finally do a full play-through thanks to all these additions coming. Sounds quite exciting! Nice to see that's it's going to be a free update too, not some kind of "remastered" edition you have to pay extra for.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Mohandevir Nov 24, 2022
I know what I'm going to play on december 14th. 
Thanks for the info about AMD FSR 2.1. I was searching the press releases about it and couldn't find anything. Awesome news!
Thanks for the info about AMD FSR 2.1. I was searching the press releases about it and couldn't find anything. Awesome news!
1 Likes, Who?
Good stuff for a free upgrade. I replayed the first two games it preparation of this release. And then had an unscheduled break during my TW2 playthrough due to the substantial delay this patch got. But my TW2 save is ready for import and my xmas break will be spent playing this. Including the DLC this time.
0 Likes
Nice to hear - but what if I got the game on GOG?
0 Likes
Nice to hear - but what if I got the game on GOG?Try the Heroic Games Launcher.
0 Likes
Nice to hear - but what if I got the game on GOG?Try the Heroic Games Launcher.
Maybe I should have rephrased my question :). Is this update specific to Steam binaries, or will I get this update if I got the game in GOG?
0 Likes
100% yes, since the developer is part of the same company that runs GOG.Nice to hear - but what if I got the game on GOG?Try the Heroic Games Launcher.
Maybe I should have rephrased my question :). Is this update specific to Steam binaries, or will I get this update if I got the game in GOG?
4 Likes, Who?
Ironically, this is one game I've yet to play. I don't have it on steam yet, but I do have it on GOG.
0 Likes
DebianUser Nov 24, 2022
This game just makes me remember one thing...
Sure we will release TW3 on linux, you can even preorder it !
Some months later : "Sorry, we will not release under Linux, why ? Simple, the Linux users were pretty harsh with us on TW2 Linux release, so we don't release for them anymore"
Fun fact : they still release For Playstation and Windows even if the players were harsh with them after the release of CP2077 (I think way more than for Linux TW2 release)...
Oh and the rage for TW2 must be around 2014, and they were working on TW3 for Linux on 2015, and then cancelling it in 2016...
Yeah i'm a bit embittered, but it happens when i think someone is lying to me.
Last edited by DebianUser on 24 November 2022 at 4:01 pm UTC
Sure we will release TW3 on linux, you can even preorder it !
Some months later : "Sorry, we will not release under Linux, why ? Simple, the Linux users were pretty harsh with us on TW2 Linux release, so we don't release for them anymore"
Fun fact : they still release For Playstation and Windows even if the players were harsh with them after the release of CP2077 (I think way more than for Linux TW2 release)...
Oh and the rage for TW2 must be around 2014, and they were working on TW3 for Linux on 2015, and then cancelling it in 2016...
Yeah i'm a bit embittered, but it happens when i think someone is lying to me.
Last edited by DebianUser on 24 November 2022 at 4:01 pm UTC
7 Likes, Who?
The original case for TW3 on Linux was a sad one, but that was practically a different world back then. I prefer not to hold such grudges.
9 Likes, Who?
Yeah i'm a bit embittered, but it happens when i think someone is lying to me.
A bit harsher than reality I'd imagine. More a case of VP's EON not really being up to the task and CDPR probably relying on them making it happen. An no, the "harsh language" was never more than an excuse. If that'd drive people away from doing things, the internet would be empty.
1 Likes, Who?
oberjaeger Nov 24, 2022
This game just makes me remember one thing...
Sure we will release TW3 on linux, you can even preorder it !
Some months later : "Sorry, we will not release under Linux, why ? Simple, the Linux users were pretty harsh with us on TW2 Linux release, so we don't release for them anymore"
Fun fact : they still release For Playstation and Windows even if the players were harsh with them after the release of CP2077 (I think way more than for Linux TW2 release)...
Oh and the rage for TW2 must be around 2014, and they were working on TW3 for Linux on 2015, and then cancelling it in 2016...
Yeah i'm a bit embittered, but it happens when i think someone is lying to me.
I wonder where this love for Linux comes from lately. I also stopped buying from CD RED/GOG after that "mishap".
0 Likes
Follow the moneyThis game just makes me remember one thing...
Sure we will release TW3 on linux, you can even preorder it !
Some months later : "Sorry, we will not release under Linux, why ? Simple, the Linux users were pretty harsh with us on TW2 Linux release, so we don't release for them anymore"
Fun fact : they still release For Playstation and Windows even if the players were harsh with them after the release of CP2077 (I think way more than for Linux TW2 release)...
Oh and the rage for TW2 must be around 2014, and they were working on TW3 for Linux on 2015, and then cancelling it in 2016...
Yeah i'm a bit embittered, but it happens when i think someone is lying to me.
I wonder where this love for Linux comes from lately. I also stopped buying from CD RED/GOG after that "mishap".
0 Likes
I'm curious if existing mods will get updated to support it and what kind of community mods they incorporated into the new version.
0 Likes
Btw, if it's using ray tracing, does it mean they refactored REDengine to use DX12 or even Vulkan? DX11 doesn't support it if I understand correctly.
Last edited by Shmerl on 25 November 2022 at 5:33 am UTC
Last edited by Shmerl on 25 November 2022 at 5:33 am UTC
1 Likes, Who?
Btw, if it's using ray tracing, does it mean they refactored REDengine to use DX12 or even Vulkan? DX11 doesn't support it if I understand correctly.
My guess is that they either took the whole CP2077 engine or parts of it to do this. Either way, since I don't see them doing Vulkan for their last red engine usage, dx12 is very likely.
0 Likes
My guess is that they either took the whole CP2077 engine or parts of it to do this. Either way, since I don't see them doing Vulkan for their last red engine usage, dx12 is very likely.
Didn't they port TW3 to the Switch? So may be they already had a Vulkan path in the engine for that. So it's a possibility they used that here as well. But I guess we'll see.
1 Likes, Who?
My guess is that they either took the whole CP2077 engine or parts of it to do this. Either way, since I don't see them doing Vulkan for their last red engine usage, dx12 is very likely.
Didn't they port TW3 to the Switch? So may be they already had a Vulkan path in the engine for that. So it's a possibility they used that here as well. But I guess we'll see.
Regardless of the API used, the Switch version was a massive downgrade from the PC version. Which would probably make it very difficult to use.
Assuming that all features work on Linux, I wonder if it will make my 2080Ti burn.
0 Likes
Nice, I remember not being able to reach consistent 30FPS for this game on my Steam Deck, so I'm wondering if the new version will make performance a bit better.
0 Likes
Nice, I remember not being able to reach consistent 30FPS for this game on my Steam Deck, so I'm wondering if the new version will make performance a bit better.
Judging by Liam's video on Cyberpunk (in the article), I'd imagine you'll see a 10-15fps jump from FSR 2.1. It's an insane performance bump.
2 Likes, Who?
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