Xbox Game Pass loses games all of the time. However, whenever a game leaves the service, it is typically one that users aren’t as interested in, or one that is soon to see a sudden influx of interest and therefore would benefit more from being a premium experience rather than free via the service. Regardless, losing access to a game that has been on Xbox Game Pass for quite some time is always hard, especially if it is one that players are already deeply engaged with or, worse still, close to beating it.

However, of all the games leaving Xbox Game Pass, one really wouldn’t have expected this legendary RPG to be among them. It is often heralded as one of the greatest games ever made, and a must-play for everyone, so losing it stings a lot. Sadly, it is an inevitability, something fans should have seen coming based on recent announcements surrounding it. With only 24 hours left to download it before it leaves the service, now is absolutely the moment to at least give it a try.

Of course, whenever a game leaves Xbox Game Pass, it isn’t usually long before several more take its place. Sure, we’re about to lose a true masterpiece, but it means that those who’ve already enjoyed it, or simply those who weren’t interested, will have the opportunity to try something else. Nevertheless, there will be those who want to give it a go before it departs Xbox Game Pass, and, as aforementioned, the time to do so is quickly running out.

That is because The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is leaving Xbox Game Pass on August 31, 2026. This is only six months after the game was added back to Xbox Game Pass in February 2026, making its time on the platform rather short-lived. That’s not entirely unusual, but it is somewhat odd, especially considering The Witcher 3 was previously on Xbox Game Pass for well over a year between 2019 and 2021.

Of course, a logical explanation for this is that the upcoming Witcher 3 DLC is likely to generate more interest and, therefore, sales, and having the Complete Edition available via Game Pass would take away from those sales. This is pure speculation, of course, as CD Projekt Red hasn’t given an official reason for taking The Witcher 3 off the platform, nor is it likely to.

Regardless, it still means that those who were interested only have 24 hours to play it, as of the time of writing, which isn’t close to being enough to beat what is easily one of the longest games on Xbox Game Pass. Fortunately, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition frequently goes on extremely deep sales, allowing anyone who is partway through a playthrough the opportunity to continue where they left off. It also supports cross-play, meaning those who want to move from Xbox Game Pass to PS5, Switch, or PC can do so with ease.

Systems

Released

May 19, 2015

ESRB

M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content

Engine

REDengine 3

Cross-Platform Play

yes

Cross Save

yes

Expansions

The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine

Franchise

The Witcher