The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt keeps improving almost eight years after its launch, thanks to developer CD Projekt Red releasing another major update. The new patch added QoL options, support for technologies, performance enhancements, and several bug fixes.
Patch 4.0.3 is currently live on all platforms except Nintendo Switch. The developer assures that Switch users will be getting the patch in the coming months. The patch brings support for Intel XeSS — an upscaling technology that should improve performance with little image quality loss. Players will also notice better performance when using ray-traced global illumination and ray-traced reflections.
Geralt can no longer eat and drink underwater, however, he can still use potions and decoctions. The community-made mod Next Gen Script Fixes by Sergeanur is officially implemented in the game, and an option to auto-apply oils in combat is added.
PC-Specific
- Addressed the issue where the DirectX 11 version of the game could crash on launch or after loading a save on certain AMD GPUs.
- Added support for Intel Xe Super Sampling, an upscaling technology that uses machine learning to improve performance and image quality.
- Fixed some lighting issues with Screen Space Reflections when ray-traced global illumination is off.
- Performance improvements to ray-traced global illumination and ray-traced reflections.
- Fixed an issue where purple splashes could appear on the screen when riding Roach through puddles of water.
Console-Specific
- The Cross Progression pop-up will now properly display which account is logged in.
- Fixed an issue where dark stripes or shadows appeared on Geralt in the inventory screen when Performance Mode was enabled on PlayStation 5.
- Fixed an issue where the game could briefly freeze or stutter when autosaving on next-gen consoles.
- Addressed the issue of performance drops on next-gen consoles while using Witcher Senses in Beauclair and Novigrad.
Visual - PC and Next-Gen Exclusive
- Fixed an issue where a grid of light spots could appear on the ground and walls in certain weather conditions with Ray Tracing enabled.
- Spider webs will no longer change color when moving the camera with Ray Tracing enabled.
- Fixed an issue where some textures on characters during cutscenes would appear as not fully rendered.
- Through Time and Space - Fixed an issue where the mist in the Poisoned Valley was pink instead of white.
Quests and Gameplay - PC and Next-Gen Exclusives
Added the community-made mod Next Gen Script Fixes by Sergeanur.
Quests and Gameplay - Available on All Platforms
- In the Eternal Fire's Shadow - The ambient music from the quest will no longer continue playing after completion. For players who have already experienced this issue, it may be necessary to enter the Novigrad or Oxenfurt sewers again to resolve it.
- Added an option to auto-apply oils in combat.
- With the exception of potions and decoctions, it's now impossible for Geralt to eat or drink underwater.
You can read the complete patch notes via the official site. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can be purchased by PC players from Steam for only $39.99.
