By Sagar V. Mankar 
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has seen a significant jump in concurrent players on Steam following the announcement of the next game in the franchise, The Witcher 4. The reveal, which took place at this year’s Game Awards, featured an impressive six-minute cinematic trailer that introduced fans to the game’s world and its new protagonist. However, with The Witcher 4 still likely years away from release, players have turned their attention back to the beloved previous installment.
According to data from SteamDB, on Sunday, December 22, over 46,370 players were simultaneously exploring the world of The Witcher 3. The last time the game saw numbers this high was in December 2022, when it peaked at around 89,000 concurrent players (CCU) following the game’s next-gen update. Despite technical hiccups, it reignited interest in the title leading to 79,000 CCU next month with an average of around 60,000 players.
This renewed enthusiasm highlights the enduring appeal of the game, nearly a decade after its original release. The Witcher 3 is currently discounted by 80% on Steam where 95% of reviewers have spoken “positively” about the game.
However, The Witcher 4’s reveal hasn’t been without controversy. A vocal segment of the fanbase has expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to make Ciri the protagonist. While her role aligns with one of the canon endings from The Witcher 3, some players have raised concerns about her character design and potential overpowered abilities.
Addressing these worries, CD Projekt Red reassured fans that they have carefully considered these elements. The developers explained, “The gap between her being overpowered at the end of the previous game and her current abilities in the trailer is intentional. Something significant happened in-between, and we’ve worked hard to ensure it fits seamlessly into the lore and narrative.”
Despite the debates, excitement for The Witcher 4 remains high, and the increased player activity in The Witcher 3 is a testament to the franchise’s enduring legacy. For now, fans seem content revisiting Geralt’s final adventure while eagerly awaiting Ciri’s story to unfold in the next chapter.
Source: SteamDB, CD Projekt Red Statements