In 2015, CD Projekt released a MODKit for The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt. But as we pointed out at the time, this is not a mod tool: it is called REDkit, a much more powerful software that allows you to not only change what is already there, but also create something completely new in the game.

CD Projekt had previously released REDkit for "The Witcher 2" and said that they had no plans to release it for "The Witcher 3." What a difference nine years makes: today, CD Projekt is releasing REDkit on Steam ahead of its planned release later this year. Registration for the REDkit playtest of "The Witcher 3" is now open.

"The Witcher 3 REDkit is a comprehensive modding tool for The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt, currently in development. REDkit will be available for free to all owners of the PC version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt."

This was actually announced in November 2023, but there was no mention of what exactly was in store, only that it would "allow you to create your own experience in the game by creating something completely new or editing existing quests and content." The name REDkit was not used at the time, but it certainly sounds like REDkit. As a traditionalist, it is nice to see CD Projekt sticking to convention.

Access to the test is distributed in bulk, and of course you must have The Witcher 3 installed to use the editor; CD Projekt also warns that this is a beta version and that while they hope all goes well, there may be problems If you encounter any problems, please contact CDPR. If you encounter any problems, please report them through the CDPR support site. Also, if all goes well, feedback on the new REDkit is welcome.

The REDkit test is only available on Steam, but will work with any PC version of the game, regardless of where it was purchased; once REDkit is released, it will be released on Steam as well as GOG and the Epic Games Store, and will be free.

Separately, CD Projekt is also working on making Steam Workshop support available for The Witcher 3, which you can also register to try. The two tests are "related to each other, but completely separate," so you can participate in both or one or the other as you see fit.

To participate in The Witcher 3 REDkit playtest, go to Steam and click the "Request Access" button; to participate in the Steam Workshop beta, go to The Witcher 3 Workshop Beta Steam group Join and join the Steam test branch: right-click The Witcher 3 in the library, select "Properties", open the "Beta" tab, and select "workshop_test" from the drop-down.

This will probably be the last attempt to use the REDkit: after using its own REDengine for The Witcher 2 and 3 (the original used BioWare's Aurora Engine) and Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt is working on The Witcher 4 switched to Unreal Engine 5.