Last updated: 5 September 2026
The Witcher 4 Sapkowski's Role — What the Author Has Actually Said
It's a fair question for anyone who grew up on the books: how much say does Andrzej Sapkowski actually have over The Witcher 4? The author has answered this directly and more than once, and the honest answer is "almost none creatively, but a much better business deal than before." Here's exactly what he's said.
Andrzej Sapkowski, author of the Witcher novels, has said there is "no cooperation at all" between him and CD Projekt Red's games, and that he won't play The Witcher 4 because "it's not an entertainment for me." That's a statement about creative involvement, not the business relationship — Sapkowski separately says his current contract with CD Projekt Red is "excellent right now," a notable turnaround after a 2019 lawsuit in which he argued he'd sold the game rights for far less than they turned out to be worth. Narrative director Philipp Weber has suggested Sapkowski's own recent novel, Crossroads of Ravens, may still inform the game's story even without direct input from him.
01"No Cooperation at All" — In His Own Words
Speaking publicly about the games, Sapkowski has been blunt: "there is no cooperation at all between me and the games." He also said he won't be playing The Witcher 4 himself, explaining "it's not an entertainment for me" — a comment consistent with his long-standing position that he sees himself as a novelist rather than someone invested in how his world plays as a video game.
02CDPR Rarely Even Asks Him for Lore Advice Anymore
In a separate interview at a book event, Sapkowski said CD Projekt Red used to consult him for setting details and lore during development of the original Witcher trilogy, but that this has tapered off sharply. Asked how often the studio reaches out now, he said it's "so rare" that they ask for his input on The Witcher 4.
03The Business Side Is a Different Story
It's worth separating creative involvement from the financial and licensing relationship, because Sapkowski himself draws that line. On the contract side, he's said: "The contracts between me and the game people are excellent right now. Let's hope it stays that way."
- That comment carries extra weight given the history: Sapkowski sued CD Projekt Red in 2019 after selling the game rights to his novels for a flat, one-time fee years earlier, arguing that fee was a pittance compared to how much money the games ultimately made. The suit was settled, reportedly on terms far more favorable to Sapkowski than his original deal.
- His current comments suggest that settlement, and whatever licensing terms cover The Witcher 4 and the wider trilogy, are working in his favor — even as his creative footprint on the games themselves shrinks.
04One Possible Indirect Influence: His Own New Novel
Even without formal consultation, Sapkowski's continued writing in the Witcher universe may still shape the games indirectly. Narrative director Philipp Weber has pointed to Sapkowski's recently published novel, Crossroads of Ravens (a prequel following a young Geralt), as material the studio is aware of and reading — meaning Sapkowski's influence on The Witcher 4 may run through his fiction rather than through any direct collaboration with CD Projekt Red.
FAQ
Is Andrzej Sapkowski involved in making The Witcher 4?
No, not creatively. He has said there is "no cooperation at all" between him and CD Projekt Red's games, and that the studio only rarely asks him for lore input these days.
Will Andrzej Sapkowski play The Witcher 4?
He says no. In his words, "it's not an entertainment for me."
Does Andrzej Sapkowski still get paid for The Witcher games?
He has described his current contract with CD Projekt Red as "excellent right now," a marked change from the flat, one-time fee he originally sold the game rights for — a deal he successfully challenged in a 2019 lawsuit.
Why did Andrzej Sapkowski sue CD Projekt Red?
In 2019, he argued that the one-time payment he originally accepted for the Witcher game rights was far too low given how commercially successful the games became. The lawsuit was settled on terms reported to be much more favorable to him.
Could Sapkowski still influence The Witcher 4's story indirectly?
Possibly. Narrative director Philipp Weber has said the studio is aware of Sapkowski's newer novel Crossroads of Ravens, which could shape the game's world even without Sapkowski being formally consulted.
Sources
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