Witcher Author's Short-Sighted Decision Screws Him Out Of Tons of Money

The Witcher series collectively are some of the greatest RPGs of the last few years – perhaps even of all time. The Witcher 3 especially has racked up tons of sales and tons of awards. Unfortunately, the author of the book series the games are based on is not really making any money.

[GOODKylePS]

Ha, what a dingleberry.

[Nu]

"We're not here to f spiders and Bobs your uncle"

[TheFirstClassic]

He has really trashed the games and gaming in general in the past.

[headpress]

Is he still alive. Would have jumped already :) All those millions

[Captain_Mushroom]

"short-sighted". easy to speak, now, after the success of the franchise, but who the hell could have predicted said popularity, all the way back in... 2003? 2004? don't remember the exact year, but it's around that time. i'd say to stop with these sensationalist titles, but who am i kidding...

[oof46]

Reminds me of the guy who inspired Stallone to write the original Rocky. He was offered a lump sum or a percentage of the films profits. Like the author, he took a lump sum and later came to regret it.

[Cobra951]

That's just it. Do you take the sure money, or do you gamble it away on a future possibility? That's a tough choice even when you feel good about future success.

[Derceto]

Right. I'm sure life is real rough for him.

[captainexplosion]

Yeah, it must suck being a famous author,

[nitus10]

CD Projekt RED has always given credit to the Author of the Witcher books so he (Andrzej Sapkowski) can capitalize on book sales.

When a company has plans to create a game or movie based on a book or series of books it is up to the author or his/her lawyers to negotiate the terms and conditions associated with the use of the story in the games or movies.

[Hroach616]

I'm sure game sales have translated into book sales. Obviously it's not a huge percentage but I mean I bought 2 books after playing the third game. I can't be the only one who did that

[INMATEofARKHAM]

Undoubtedly. Most of the books were a decade old when the first game was released...

And none of them were available in the English language till the games became successful.

[omgitsruthless]

I think Lady of The Lake was just released in English. So the books were definitely not translated.

[medman]

Read this and question this author and his sanity.....seriously.

http://vulkk.com/2016/08/30...

That is one small minded man.

[ShadowWolf712]

He-uh... he has a legitimate gripe here.

There's nothing small-minded about this. People ditched his books because they think he's writing them based off the games now, and others stopped reading because they weren't based on the games. They started using game designs and graphics on the covers which don't always match up with his in-book descriptions. Etc.

What, is he supposed to just throw his vision to the side and be ultra happy that's happening?

[WelkinCole]

Look its his dam fault. He was selfish and wanted the money up front. Not thinking long term but short.

However perhaps what is the worst is that he had little faith in CD Red which makes me think why he allowed Red to use his book in the first place. I guess he just wanted the money.

[Chaos_Order]

How is it selfish to opt for the lump sum? Nothing selfish about it! He simply thought it was the best decision at the time.

"Little faith in CD Project Red." Oh gimme a f***ing break. We're going to shame him for not instantly assuming that a then unknown developer would spawn a multi million seller?

"I guess he just wanted the money." WHO. WOULDN'T? I guess we should shame every author who's approached by a movie producer for accepting money to make a film adaptation, right?

[Kaneki-Ken]

Boi.

[TheKingKratos]

Just give me witcher 4 with a much needed better combat

man what i would give for a witcher with Shadow of mordor gameplay

[xtheblackparade]

If the man is that talented with his writing i'm sure he'll do fine for himself. It's rare for a writer to make any money at all, I would still be proud if I were him.

[Master of Unlocking]

I can't access the source website for some reason. Anyone mind giving me the gist of the article?

[jerethdagryphon]

Cd project should be nice and chuck him a 1% royalty

[medman]

I read this piece in 2016, and wondered why the author of the books could say such negative things about a gaming series that has only brought attention to his work.

http://vulkk.com/2016/08/30...

Now I know why he's so salt. He's got nobody to blame but himself. What a bitter bastard.

[ShadowWolf712]

Or because he has legitimate complaints in there about how the games have had a negative impact as well?

[medman]

Riigghhtttt...he sold the rights for monetary gain, of his own volition. Now you want to whine about "negative impact"? Nobody twisted your arm. Get bent.

[NecoTehSergal]

Tad rude, eh?