I'm kind of surprised this hasn't been posted yet.  But W3 is getting updated to have ray tracing with the expected update to be in 2021.  Also, free update for to next gen consoles for those who plan on getting one if you own it on Xbox One or PS4.
 
https://thewitcher.com/en...to-the-next-generation

If it were anyone but CDPR, I would have no excitement at all, because all too often such new-gen console upgrades or "remasters" ported back to PC include one or more significant steps backward along with any improvements.
 
Hopefully CDPR doesn't take their made-for-console upgrade and simply toss-port it to PC as everyone else does, and just works from the existing PC version, enhancing it as necessary.

z999z3mystorys
Seems PC will be getting HDR and Ray-tracing at the same time now.

For my part, I would much rather the game get improvements to more fundamental visual aspects. Maybe it will...I don't know.

aka_STEVE_b
Weird that they think it needs any kind of 'remaster' already.?
I'm guessing it's just to get it sold on a new gen of consoles with improved effects.... 

You're right to put "remaster" in quotes, lol: it's nonsensical marketing fluff, as one can't re-master something that wasn't mastered to begin with. The main issue is that if you are talking about something for which the term actually applies--like audio/video recordings--you know what to expect. With software, it can mean anything, which I'm guessing is the whole point, lol.
 
But yeah, that's what it always is...a means of selling a game to owners of a new generation of consoles. On PC, the concept makes little or no sense and worse, the result is often objectively worse in one or more aspects. They go ahead and toss-port them to PC because "Why not?" It's extra money. E.g., here is one of the first comments from OP's link:
 
 
 
 
The only example I can think of right now that provided a demonstrable benefit to PC (among multiple significant issues/downgrades) is the 64-bit capability of Skyrim for modding. But again, it was just a toss-port--a 64-bit version would never have otherwise arrived on PC. The fact is that, for those who don't do serious modding--not just modding, but serious modding--the original release is better for multiple reasons.
 
Regarding my original comment about hoping they work from the existing PC version, another comment from OP's link makes a similar point, though regarding Playstation rather than PC:
 
 
 
 
As I implied earlier, I hold CDPR apart from every other AAA company because its business practices are starkly different. It has nothing to do with emotion (I haven't even yet tried The Witcher 3! I'm getting ready to read through the books again, and then after my 5th playthrough of The Witcher: Enhanced Edition and 2nd playthrough of TW2, I'll finally experience it!).
 
So CDPR is the only company that I would not automatically assume would just toss-port their new console product to PC and call it a day (And no, to play "devil's advocate", the presence of ray tracing would not be evidence against that, as it is a tacked-on aspect that NVIDIA expends effort to realize; i.e. it could be tacked on to a toss-port just as well as it could a genuine effort).

Flonkam

z999z3mystorys
Seems PC will be getting HDR and Ray-tracing at the same time now.

For my part, I would much rather the game get improvements to more fundamental visual aspects. Maybe it will...I don't know.

Based on the language of their press release, it sounds like you may get your wish.  Ray tracing appears to be only one of the visual improvements being addressed in the update.
 
"the next-gen edition of the game will feature a range of visual and technical improvements — including ray tracing and faster loading times..." 

I just started a Death March playthrough. I'm thinking about waiting for this update now. Hell, the game already looks really good. RTX will be awesome with it.

I think i'll replay it with the update. Can't wait to see that Ray Tracing in GWENT!

Nice, bought it on Steam just for that update when it's out.

This was hours upon hours of pleasure.  Looking forward to a 4k ray traced playthrough

I will definitely be checking this out on my 3080 (assuming I get one soon...*sigh*)

Whoa. This is crazy. I wonder how much of an impact this will have. Had it on PS4 but then stopped because I decided to play it on pc. Fired it up yesterday but now ray tracing sounds good. Such a dilemma

I hope it's playable on a 30xx card when they release it. Can't wait.

It's tempting to go back but I already put too embarrassing an amount of time into Witcher 3 to play it again lol

I still have yet to play The Witcher 3 despite being a huge fan of the series (still think OG Witcher is the best game in the series... so far) because I want to enjoy it maxed out at a locked 144hz, Witcher 3 deservers that imo. Whenever I get my hands on a 3090 that will be one of the first games I play, wonder if the ray traced update will be out by then...

Like to see it:)