Fool's Theory says the biggest 'challenge' developing Songs of the Past was making sure Dandelion's story didn't 'steal the show' since The Witcher 3 is about Geralt — 'There was a very big effort put into this fine balancing of the narrative'

CD Projekt Red and Fool's Theory disclosed the narrative challenges faced during the development of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's third expansion, Songs of the Past. The game, set to release in 2027, focuses on Dandelion, Geralt's loyal friend, as he unravels a mystery within his homeland of Letten. However, the developers aimed to ensure Dandelion did not overshadow Geralt, the protagonist of the entire series.

The primary challenge was creating a narrative that balanced the spotlight between Dandelion and Geralt. Fool's Theory and CDPR spent considerable time discussing how to strike the right balance, ensuring that Dandelion's story was given due importance without detracting from Geralt's central role. Another significant challenge was to live up to the legacy of The Witcher 3's previous expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, which were critically acclaimed.

While acknowledging the pressure to deliver a compelling story that meets the high expectations set by previous expansions, CDPR and Fool's Theory emphasized that this pressure motivated them to continually improve their craft. They aimed to outdo themselves, both in terms of their team's expertise and the technical aspects of the game. The expansion was to showcase significant visual and technical improvements, demonstrated in a demo showcased at Gamescom.