Andrzej Sapkowski, the mind behind The Witcher series, has indicated that his arrangement with CD Projekt, the studio developing The Witcher 4, is “excellent.” However, he noted that the RPG developers no longer reach out to him for guidance as frequently. During a recent book event for his new release, the Witcher prequel titled Crossroads of Ravens, Sapkowski was inquired about his involvement in The Witcher 4’s development. He replied that he hadn’t played any role in creating the new installment, which may explain why he recently criticized an aspect of the RPG series he considers to be “narratively incorrect.”
Although Sapkowski isn’t directly collaborating on the upcoming game, he appears to benefit from the ongoing popularity of The Witcher franchise. “The contracts between me and the game folks are excellent at this point,” he stated. “Let’s hope it continues that way.” It’s worth noting that their relationship hasn’t always been so favorable; in 2019, CD Projekt Red resolved a lawsuit with Sapkowski. Under Polish copyright regulations, a rights holder can pursue additional compensation if the licensed work generates significantly more revenue than anticipated. Given the phenomenal success of The Witcher 3 and the modest fee he initially accepted from CDPR, he sought $16 million in royalties.
Insights on The Witcher 4
The biggest enigma surrounding The Witcher 4 stems from an incident that Sapkowski has deemed “unworthy of development” and “narratively incorrect.”
Integration of New Ideas
Much like its predecessor, The Witcher 4 will incorporate concepts from Sapkowski’s latest novel. However, CD Projekt Red has stated they “can’t reveal how exactly” these ideas will materialize.
Sapkowski’s Preference for His Books
When it comes to adaptations, Sapkowski has expressed a preference for his literary works over live-action interpretations, asserting, “The original stands alone.”
Changing Relationship with CD Projekt Red
Sapkowski shared that his collaboration with CD Projekt Red used to be more involved. For earlier titles in the franchise, they would occasionally reach out for advice and deeper insights into the lore. These days, however, he mentions that “it’s so rare” for CDPR to seek his input. This shift may reflect the studio’s growing self-reliance after several years and various titles within the Witcher universe. The narrative of Sapkowski’s book series has concluded, making it “impossible” for him to craft a sequel. Nevertheless, the games are set in a timeline following the events of the final book.
While he hasn’t been directly involved in The Witcher 4, elements from Crossroads of Ravens are expected to influence the game, much like how The Witcher 3 integrated themes from Season of Storms.