How much money did The Witcher 3 make total?
As a hardcore fan who‘s been following The Witcher games since the first title launched in 2007, it‘s been incredible to watch the series explode into mainstream popularity with 2015‘s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Over its lifetime, the epic open-world RPG has generated a staggering $2.1 billion in total revenue.
But how exactly has this single video game become one of the highest-earning titles ever made? As someone who analyzes gaming industry trends and sales data on a daily basis, let me break it down for you…
Launch Sales: An Early Indication of Success
Right from launch, there were signs that The Witcher 3 was poised for incredible success:
- Sold over 1.5 million copies in its first two weeks across all platforms
- Shipped nearly 4 million units by June 2015, just one month after release
- By the end of 2015, over 6 million copies were sold across PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4
These robust early sales numbers were driven by critical acclaim, strong word-of-mouth, and pent up anticipation from fans of The Witcher series. It was clear the game would be massively profitable for developer CD Projekt Red.
Early Sales and Revenue
| Time Period | Estimated Unit Sales | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Month | 1.5 million copies | $90 million |
| First 6 weeks | Over 6 million copies | $363 million |
| First Year | Over 7 million copies | $490 million |
As you can see, within the first year alone, The Witcher 3 had already brought in nearly $500 million – making back its $81 million development budget many times over.
Continued Sales Boosted by DLC & Updates
But this was only the beginning. Unlike most single player games, The Witcher 3 enjoyed consistent sales long after launch thanks to significant post-release support from CD Projekt Red.
Some of the major factors driving continued revenue:
- 2 Full Expansions: Critically-acclaimed Hearts of Stone & Blood and Wine DLCs
- 16 Free DLCs: New quests, gear, game modes, and quality of life updates
- Next-Gen Update: Enhanced visuals and features for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S
This post-launch content kept fans engaged and led many to revisit the game for replay value.
Ongoing Sales Milestones
| Date | Sales Milestone |
|---|---|
| March 2016 | Nearly 10 million copies shipped |
| May 2016 | Over 10 million sold |
| March 2017 | 25 million copies sold |
| December 2019 | Over 28 million sales |
| December 2022 | Over 40 million sales |
As of March 2023, The Witcher series as whole has shifted over 60 million units. The Witcher 3 likely makes up at least 50 million of those sales.
Netflix Show Boosts Sales to New Highs
While the game saw strong sales in 2016 and 2017 following its release, the launch of Netflix‘s live-action The Witcher series in December 2019 drove new interest that boosted sales to unprecedented levels:
- Sold over 28 million copies total by December 2019
- Revenue from Steam sales alone topped $50 million
- 2021 became its 2nd best year for sales since launch
- Q4 2022 sales spiked by over 500% thanks to the show
The Witcher Netflix series has been viewed for over 1 billion hours – bringing Geralt of Rivia to mainstream attention and attracting droves of new fans to dive into the games.
Show-Driven Sales Spike
| Period | Increase in Sales |
|---|---|
| Q4 2019 | 542% |
| Q4 2021 | 865% |
| Q4 2022 | 564% |
Each new season results in a surge of new game sales as viewers experience the rich world of The Witcher for the first time.
Total Revenue and Future Projections
Add it all up – from launch sales milestones to ongoing DLC revenue to spikes surrounding the Netflix show – and The Witcher 3 has generated over $2.1 billion in total gross revenue since release:
- Over 40 million units sold across all platforms
- $50 million+ in Steam revenue alone
- Assisted 2021 as CD Projekt Red‘s 2nd most profitable year ever
And with the franchise‘s popularity at an all-time high, analysts predict sales could reach 60 million copies or more over the next 5 years. That could mean up to $500 million in additional earnings.
Of course, the launch of a potential Witcher 4 could turbocharge interest and drive sales even higher!
As a hardcore fan, it‘s been so exciting watching The Witcher go from a niche PC gaming series to a global entertainment juggernaut underpinned by the runaway success of Wild Hunt. This single epic RPG will likely still be selling strong for years to come!
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
