In today's Daily Fix:The Witcher 3 maybe 10 years old, but that's not stopping the rumor mill from suggesting new DLC is on the way. Via IGN Poland, sources have apparently been aware of plans to drop a new expansion featuring the desert region Zerrikania.

Evidence is mounting for a third expansion to The Witcher 3, with reports indicating it could take players to Zarakania, a desert region referenced in previous content and The Witcher tabletop RPG. Insider reports and hints from developer CD Projekt have fueled speculation, and a gap in the company's Employee Incentive Program suggests a significant release is expected soon, with no other major projects on the near horizon.

In other gaming news, Nintendo has announced new pastel-colored Joy-Con controllers for the Switch 2, and the 2026 Xbox DevDirect will showcase upcoming titles including Forza Horizon 6, Fable, and Beast of Reincarnation. The event is scheduled to air live on January 22nd.

The Witcher 3's rumored third expansion will explore new desert location

What's up everybody, Damian here and in today's gaming news, new DLC for The Witcher 3 is looking more and more likely, Nintendo unveils new Switch 2 Joy-Con colors, and the next Xbox DevDirect has an air date. This is your daily fix. Evidence of an underwraps third expansion for The Witcher 3 continues to mount, with one report now pointing to a possible Dune-style location for the new adventure. Word of fresh DLC for the beloved 2015 blockbuster RPG began bubbling up in earnest last month, fueled by a set of reports from insiders and apparent teases by developer CD Projekt that it had something secret in the works. Now a report by IGN Poland says its local sources have been aware of potential plans for several years, and that, initially at least, its developers had expressed a keen interest in exploring Zarakania, an exotic desert region to the far east of The Witcher 3's current map. While IGN Poland cautions that this information dates back several years, it also goes on to list a string of reasons why Zarakania makes a lot of sense for the expansion. There are various hints at a Zarakania manticore school in previous expansions Blood and Wine, and references to the region made by other characters. The same school is also a part of The Witcher's tabletop RPG. Separately, a Eurogamer report has given a more black and white reason why this expansion is likely real and expected to launch this year. Because there is currently a gap in CD Projekt's Employee Incentive Program target indicative of the company launching something expected to earn significant money. As Eurogamer notes, CD Projekt doesn't really have anything else expected to fit the bill, with The Witcher 4 not set for launch until 2027 at the earliest, and Cyberpunk 2 after that. Work on a new IP is also ongoing, but even further off. There's a possibility still that this could relate to some other, smaller Witcher spinoff, but with all the smoke around Witcher 3 expansion now rising, everything looks to be pointing in the same direction. New DLC feels like a smart idea to reawaken lapsed interest ahead of the series' next chapter. This content could be used as a reason to sell the game anew, to bring fresh fans to the decade-old roleplayer, and potentially set up plot points to be expanded upon in the franchise's eventual sequels. Moving on, Nintendo has unveiled its first set of alternative Switch 2 Joy-Con colors, which feature cool pastel shades of violet and teal. Officially named Light Purple and Light Green, these colors will go on sale alongside the upcoming Mario Tennis Fever on February 12th. If you're keen, you can already pre-order a pair of the new controllers now, at the same $100 price point that Nintendo of America sells the original Switch 2 Light Blue and Light Red Joy-Con. Yes, Nintendo raised the price of Switch 2 Joy-Cons to $100 back in August, up from $95 at launch. The Switch 2 itself was spared a price rise, but Nintendo added significant extra margins on the cost of its original Switches. Even the price of Nintendo's Alarmo Clock was raised by $10, up to $110. And finally today, the 2026 Xbox DevDirect will air live on Thursday, January 22nd at 10am Pacific. You can watch it live right here on IGN. Xbox Game Studios boss Matt Booty had already confirmed the presence of accomplished Xbox Game Studios developer Playground Games at the event, and now we know for certain that both its upcoming blockbusters will be shown, Forza Horizon 6 and Fable. Given that both are expected to arrive this year, and they are two of Xbox's biggest first-party offerings, and that we've yet to see proper gameplay from either one, we're due a good look at gameplay. And that, according to Microsoft's announcement this morning, is exactly what we'll get. Also featured in the showcase will be Beast of Reincarnation, the upcoming action RPG from Pokemon developer Game Freak that was announced during the Xbox Showcase event in June last year. There's no confirmation of any other games under the Microsoft umbrella being included, such as Gears of War E-Day, the prequel that's bringing back Delta Squad to the time period before Emergence Day, or Halo Campaign Evolved, the Unreal Engine 5-based remake of the original Halo's campaign. Typically, Microsoft does include at least one surprise game, however. Could this be where we get a glimpse at the newly-leaked Life is Strange Reunion? It's perhaps worth noting that the franchise's previous game, Life is Strange Double Exposure, was unveiled during the Xbox Showcase back in June 2024. In any case, we'll find out what's around the corner for Xbox on Thursday, January 22nd. And that's your daily fix for Thursday, January 8th. Right now at Humble, you can get Humble Choice for just $14.99 and score a curated bundle of PC games for January, including Sonic Frontiers, Tomb Raiders 4-6 Remastered, Hunt Showdown 1896, Etrian Odyssey 2 HD, Nice Day for Fishing, Metal Slug Tactics, Settlement Survival, and Wizard of Legend 2. This month's choice is available through February 3rd, so head to humblebundle.com and start playing today. Also, this coming Monday, January 12th, IGN will be hosting a roundtable on all the cool tech being shown at CES. It's called Tech Trends that will Define 2026, look out for it. I'm Damon Hatfield, and for all your video game news, stay tuned to IGN.

U.S. President Donald Trump began a meeting to discuss Venezuela with executives from some of the world's largest oil companies at the White House, saying he wants them to invest $100 billion in the country to vastly expand its production.

Washington

Venezuela Strikes

Trump urges U.S. oil giants to repair Venezuela's energy industry

The U.S. seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Caribbean, U.S. Southern Command confirmed on Friday (January 9). The seizure of the vessel comes as President Donald Trump prepares to meet with oil company executives at the White House.

U.S. seizes fifth tanker linked to Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump is reiterating his threats against Iran's regime if violence and deaths continue during protests. CBS News' Imtiaz Tyab has more.

Trump: U.S. to hit Iran 'very hard' if violence continues at protests

Russia fired a powerful hypersonic missile overnight at a target in Ukraine near the border with NATO-member Poland, in what Kyiv's European allies described as an attempt to intimidate them from supporting Ukraine.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia fires hypersonic missile at Ukraine target near NATO border

A majority of European Union countries have agreed to sign a trade deal with the South American trading bloc, Mercosur. It'll be the EU's biggest free-trade pact and comes after decades of negotiations.

Brussels

EU approves Mercosur trade deal despite protests

The Trump administration is pulling the U.S. out of dozens of international organizations, including key UN agencies and the treaty underpinning global climate talks, marking a deepening retreat from multilateral cooperation.

Trump admin. withdraws from dozens of international organizations

The brother of Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, and head of the country’s national assembly has announced the release of a wide raft of political prisoners. It's being viewed as a gesture to seek peace less than a week after the capture of President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces.

Cúcuta

Venezuela releases political prisoners

Residents in Portland, Oregon, protested Thursday after officials say two people were shot by Border Patrol agents. Gwen Baumgardner has more on how the shooting unfolded.

Portland

Two shot by border patrol agents in Portland

Russia launched a massive attack in Ukraine using drones and missiles, including a nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile. Michael Bociurkiw, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, joins CBS News with more.

Odesa

Russia strikes Ukraine with hypersonic missile

Four crew members aboard the International Space Station will be brought home more than a month early in the coming days as NASA cuts its mission short due to health concerns.

NASA cutting current International Space Station mission short

Iran's supreme leader has condemned anti-government protests, denouncing demonstrators as vandals and saboteurs. Iran has shut down the internet and cut off international calls and is promising decisive punishment.

Tehran

Iran's Supreme Leader defiant as protests grow

The U.S. Senate advanced a resolution that would bar President Donald Trump from further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorization, a rare rebuke of the Republican leader.

U.S. Senate advances measure curbing Trump's Venezuela war powers

U.S. officials have discussed sending lump sum payments to Greenlanders as part of a bid to convince them to secede from Denmark and potentially join the United States, according to four sources familiar with the matter.

Trump administration mulls paying Greenlanders to join U.S.

Iran’s connectivity drops sharply nationwide – As authorities tighten controls amid growing protests over the economy. NetBlocks says the apparent blackout follows ‘a series of escalating digital censorship measures targeting protests’.

Iran experiencing nationwide internet blackout as protests intensify

The Senate on Thursday voted to advance a resolution that could limit President Trump's ability to continue military action in Venezuela without congressional approval. It comes as the president told the New York Times that he could see the U.S. having direct oversight of Venezuela for years.

Caracas

Trump says U.S. could have direct oversight in Venezuela for years

The crew at the International Space Station will return home early because of what NASA is calling a medical concern with a crew member. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood has more details.

Texas

ISS crew returning due to medical issue for first time in NASA history

President Trump plans to meet with Colombian President Gustavo Petro after Mr. Trump issued threats following the U.S. operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro. CBS News' Lilia Luciano reports from Bogotá.

Trump to meet Colombia’s Petro after tensions over Venezuela operation

The United Kingdom aided the U.S. in an operation to seize a sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the North Atlantic. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

UK helped the U.S. seize an oil tanker linked to Venezuela

U.S. forces on Wednesday seized two oil tankers, one in the North Atlantic and the other in the Caribbean, as part of the Trump administration's blockade of Venezuela's oil exports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. will take between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil and sell it in the marketplace.

U.S. to control money from Venezuela oil sales after tanker seizures

Nick Reiner was set to be arraigned on murder charges on Wednesday in the killing of his parents Rob and Michele Reiner. But his defense attorney, Alan Jackson, told the judge he could no longer represent the 32-year-old. After the hearing, Jackson said he couldn't say why he withdrew for legal reasons, but added, "Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder."

Los Angeles

Nick Reiner's lawyer withdraws from case, says Reiner 'is not guilty'

NASA is considering a rare early return of its crew from the International Space Station over an unspecified medical issue involving one of the astronauts, after canceling a planned spacewalk that had been scheduled for Thursday (January 8), the agency said.

NASA mulls early ISS crew return due to astronaut medical issue

Washington says it has intercepted two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic as part of President Trump’s hardline effort to control oil movements across the Americas, claiming the vessels were part of a so-called shadow fleet used to ship sanctioned crude from Venezuela and Iran.

UK helped U.S. military to seize sentenced oil tanker on way to Russia

Minneapolis erupts in protests after a woman is shot by a federal agent – Video of the incident sparks outrage nationwide.

Minneapolis

ICE shoots woman: Incident sparks protests across the U.S.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged security forces to show restraint, distinguishing peaceful protesters from armed rioters. However, rights group Iran Human Rights says at least 27 protesters have been killed, while Iranian media report 15 deaths, including members of the security forces.

Iran police officer killed as cost-of-living protests enter 12th day

The decision comes as Trump approaches the first anniversary of his second term. Since returning to office, he has already moved to exit the World Health Organization, the Paris climate agreement, and UNESCO, while cutting funding to several UN bodies.

Trump orders U.S. withdrawal from 66 international organisations

Iran's army chief threatened pre-emptive military action on Wednesday over the "rhetoric" targeting the country, thought to be in reference to threats made by US President Donald Trump last week, warning that if Tehran "violently kills peaceful protesters," Washington would "come to their rescue."

Iran army chief threatens pre-emptive attack after Trump threats

U.S. forces have boarded a Venezuela-linked sanctioned oil tanker in the North Atlantic after pursuing it for weeks. The U.S. military also announced the seizure of a sanctioned tanker ship in the Caribbean Sea, the second vessel taken by American forces on Wednesday.

U.S. seizes two more sanctioned oil tankers with links to Venezuela

A woman was fatally shot by an ICE officer Wednesday morning in Minneapolis, the Department of Homeland Security says. CBS News' Nicole Sganga reports from the scene.

Protesters gather after ICE shoots and kills woman in Minneapolis

The U.S. seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker that was being shadowed by a Russian submarine on Wednesday (Jan. 7), after a more than two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic as part of a U.S. "blockade" of Venezuelan oil exports.

U.S. seizes Venezuela-linked oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit

Nick Reiner, the son of Rob and Michele Reiner, is set to be arraigned in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. It comes as details emerge about his time in custody and how his mental health history could play a role in his case.

Breakdown