Tuesday, October 2nd 2018
The Witcher Author Andrzej Sapkowski Gets Sellers' Remorse, Wants $16 million from CD Projekt Red
Well, this was bound to happen sometime - but I expected it sooner, rather than as late as now. The Witcher series has become an incredible success in the videogame department, with each successive entry in the series becoming more and more of a masterpiece, culminating in The Witcher 3 - considered by many to be the ultimate RPG yet. The story for the games' development by CD Projekt Red goes way back to 2000, when the developers approached Andrjez Sapkowski on acquiring the rights to The Witcher, after a failed endeavor from another studio who had already bought the rights, but failed to deliver a game - Metropolis, which counted with Adrian Chmielarz (known for Bulletstorm, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter).
Andrjez Sapkowki's approach to the whole "games industry" informed his decision on how to sell the copyright to The Witcher series' and characters - with a "Well they brought a big bag of money! (...) What I expect from an adaptation: a big bag of money. That is all." And that is what he got, according to himself, though CD Projekt Red's co-founder Marcin Iwinski described it as "(not) a huge amount of money".
The author's stance on videogames as not being "worth his time" shouldn't have informed a business decision, however. Now, following the tremendous success of The Witcher series, the author seems to be growing less and less fond of the "big bag of money" he received - a clean, one-time-only sum pales in comparison to royalties pegged to the games' success and sales.
Of course, these sales and the incredible revenue that CD Projekt Red has derived form The Witcher series of videogames is partly - originally - due to the polish author's world and character building. However, I'd argue that most of the success stems from CD Projekt Red's focused, generous delivery and work ethics looking to elevate the bar ever further (much as they are certainly doing with Cyberpunk 2077). There have been a huge number of games with equally or even more interesting premises that haven't reached - and never will reach - the heights and bar set by The Witcher 3. And that's on CD Projekt's side of the table. As are, of course, the certainly very, very significant increases in book sales for the author in many western countries, which would never even have heard of his name and The Witcher series shouldn't the games have been created and achieved their own success.
The claim and CD Projekt Red's response can be read in the sources of this article; let it only be said, as way of summation, that Andrzej Sapkowski is looking for payment in the order of 6% of total The Witcher profits from CD Projekt Red; that he was looking to finish this deal with no pomp and circumstance and as quickly and quietly and possible; and that CD Projekt Red feels that its contractual obligations have been fulfilled. It may just be that CD Projekt's success offered way too many "big bags of money" for comfort.
Sources:
Andrjez Sapkowski's Claim, CD Projekt Red's response, via DSO Gaming, Eurogamer, Meeting Andrjez Sapkowski, Eurogamer, "Seeing Red"
Andrjez Sapkowki's approach to the whole "games industry" informed his decision on how to sell the copyright to The Witcher series' and characters - with a "Well they brought a big bag of money! (...) What I expect from an adaptation: a big bag of money. That is all." And that is what he got, according to himself, though CD Projekt Red's co-founder Marcin Iwinski described it as "(not) a huge amount of money".
Of course, these sales and the incredible revenue that CD Projekt Red has derived form The Witcher series of videogames is partly - originally - due to the polish author's world and character building. However, I'd argue that most of the success stems from CD Projekt Red's focused, generous delivery and work ethics looking to elevate the bar ever further (much as they are certainly doing with Cyberpunk 2077). There have been a huge number of games with equally or even more interesting premises that haven't reached - and never will reach - the heights and bar set by The Witcher 3. And that's on CD Projekt's side of the table. As are, of course, the certainly very, very significant increases in book sales for the author in many western countries, which would never even have heard of his name and The Witcher series shouldn't the games have been created and achieved their own success.
The claim and CD Projekt Red's response can be read in the sources of this article; let it only be said, as way of summation, that Andrzej Sapkowski is looking for payment in the order of 6% of total The Witcher profits from CD Projekt Red; that he was looking to finish this deal with no pomp and circumstance and as quickly and quietly and possible; and that CD Projekt Red feels that its contractual obligations have been fulfilled. It may just be that CD Projekt's success offered way too many "big bags of money" for comfort.
41 Comments on The Witcher Author Andrzej Sapkowski Gets Sellers' Remorse, Wants $16 million from CD Projekt Red
But as the OP says, The Witcher series isn't great because of the books, it's great because of how CDPR delivered their vision.
But I reiterate, silly man.
Hes butthurt that his prediction of the game franchise being an absolute flop didn't come true.
He has absolutely no dignity as a man coming out to claim what he thinks he should be entitled to but isn't
Im not sure if one of his grandchildren discovered the game and ran to him saying that his original creation was a best seller, won many awards and was extremely well received among the gaming community -- something he didnt really care to find out and learn about before signing away the rights. He might be egged on by family members to try and get some of that treasure or you were right... its all premeditated and hes waited till the franchise has had great commercial success before coming out for the big money grab.
They didnt take advantage of him. He took advantage of himself by not doing research and deciding to take that one lump sum. His own ignorance was his downfall. Nobody took advantage of him.
Now he want's money ?, GTFO, but yeah i guess to keep the peice i guess they should but down shady quote incomingYeah i bet he did HAHA.
Like human greed and stupidity which will be forever infinite.
That said his case has a slim chance it looks like. I think from what I have read/heard from other commentators on the issue that the problem is the contract doesn't mention Witcher's 2 and 3 as it seems to imply on the first Witcher game (At least that sounds like where the lawsuit is being pushed on). Could be wrong but that's what I heard/read.
Based on that it will likely be settled out of court but either way I think that guys is an idiot and will have a terrible reputation beyond that point.
He was offered a one time payment, or royalties and he made his choice. I would be more in his support if he hadnt said all those things he said after the Witcher games got off ground - IIRC, calling gamers dumb and games something similar to a joke, attempting to say that games SUUUUREEELLLYYY didnt influence sales of his books and even being angry that books were sold with the images of Geralt and others from the game on the cover (which goes together with the second point...).
Bitter old man, after all, which is a shame.