The Witcher Writer Demands 14 Million Euros in Royalties from CD Projekt Red

Andrzej Sapkowski, the Polish author of the books about The Witcher, on which the games of the same name are based, is demanding 14 million euros in royalties from CD Projekt Red. According to the writer, he only granted permission to make one game.

Lawyers for Sapkowski have sent a letter to Polish developer CD Projekt Red containing the demand. They argue that Sapkowski only sold the rights to make the first game, making the other two games illegal. The lawyers also say that CD Projekt Red has underpaid under specific Polish laws on royalties.

CD Projekt Red acquired the rights to The Witcher from Sapkowski for a fixed fee. In an interview with Eurogamer, the writer said that the studio offered him a percentage of the proceeds, but he didn’t believe it would make much money and opted for a one-time payment. He later regretted it.

The amount that Sapkowski demands is 60 million zloty, converted 14 million euros. That amount is based on the revenue from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. According to the letter, the writer is entitled to six percent of the money that that game has raised. In the letter, the lawyers say that they also want to settle the case, without making it public.

Developer CD Projekt Red has put the full letter online and also provided a response. The studio argues that the writer’s claims are unfounded and says that all agreements made have been fulfilled. The studio does say it wants to maintain a good relationship with the writer. According to CD Projekt Red, the board of directors will ‘do its utmost’ to find a solution that takes into account the existing contracts.