Andrzej Sapkowski Confirms “Excellent” Deal with CD Projekt Red, Remains Distant from ‘Witcher 4’ Development
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The author of The Witcher saga, Andrzej Sapkowski, has affirmed a strong contractual relationship with CD Projekt Red, though he notes limited recent communication regarding the highly anticipated Witcher 4.
Sapkowski revealed his current standing with the studio while promoting his new Witcher prequel novel, Crossroads of Ravens, at a recent book event. According to reports from GamesRadar+, the author stated, “the contracts between me and the game people are excellent right now,” adding a cautious, “Let’s hope it stays that way.” This comes after a complex history with the studio regarding the financial benefits derived from The Witcher video game franchise.
From Lump Sum to Revised Agreement
The relationship between Sapkowski and CD Projekt Red wasn’t always so straightforward. In 2017, the author publicly disclosed that he hadn’t profited from the massive success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. He explained that he had initially sold the rights to the franchise for a one-time payment, foregoing potential royalties.
“I was stupid enough to sell them rights to the whole bunch,” Sapkowski told Eurogamer at the time. “They offered me a percentage of their profits. I said, ‘No, there will be no profit at all – give me all my money right now! The whole amount.’ It was stupid. I was stupid enough to leave everything in their hands because I didn’t believe in their success. But who could foresee their success? I couldn’t.” This led to a renegotiated deal with CD Projekt Red in 2019, the details of which remain undisclosed.
Limited Involvement in Future Titles
Despite the improved financial arrangement, Sapkowski clarified that he has not been consulted on the development of Witcher 4. While he previously collaborated more closely with CD Projekt Red on earlier installments, he has not been approached to contribute to the next mainline title. This suggests a shift towards a more hands-off approach from the author regarding the creative direction of the video game series.
Beyond the contractual details, Sapkowski recently addressed a point of contention between his original novels and the video game adaptations. Last month, during an “Ask Me Anything” session, the author discussed the proliferation of “witcher schools” within the game universe. He revealed that the concept originated from a single, seemingly minor sentence in his debut novel, The Last Wish.
“The issue of ‘witcher schools’ requires – I apologise – a longer explanation,” Sapkowski explained. “A single sentence about some ‘school of the Wolf’ mysteriously made its way into The Last Wish. I later deemed it unworthy of development and narratively incorrect, even detrimental to the plot. Therefore, later I never included or referenced any Witcher Gryffindors or Slytherins again. Never.”
He expressed amusement, and perhaps a touch of frustration, that game developers have “clung to the idea with remarkable tenacity and have wonderfully multiplied these ‘witcher schools’,” despite his explicit intention to leave the concept undeveloped. This highlights a creative divergence between the source material and its popular adaptation, demonstrating how interpretations can evolve independently.
Watch the cinematic reveal trailer for The Witcher 4 here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcd-V-W-W-I
Sapkowski’s comments underscore the complex relationship between authors and the adaptations of their work, particularly in the lucrative world of video games. While he maintains a positive financial standing with CD Projekt Red, his creative distance from Witcher 4 and his critique of expanded lore suggest a desire to preserve the integrity of his original vision.
