How did CDPR get the rights to The Witcher?
CDPR acquired the rights to The Witcher through a lump sum payment of approximately $9,350 to author Andrzej Sapkowski in 1997, after Sapkowski turned down a profit-sharing agreement. This initial agreement has since been revisited, with Sapkowski renegotiating for royalties from the games and Netflix series, after the massive success of the franchise, which has included sales of over 50 million copies of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt alone.
FAQs About CDPR and The Witcher
Understanding the Rights Acquisition
- What was the initial payment for The Witcher rights? The initial payment was approximately $9,350, a lump sum that Sapkowski chose over a profit-sharing agreement, believing the games would not be successful.
The Success of The Witcher
- How many copies of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt were sold? Over 50 million copies of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt have been sold since its launch in 2015, making it one of the best-selling games of all time.
Renegotiation for Royalties
- Did Andrzej Sapkowski renegotiate his contract? Yes, Sapkowski renegotiated his contract to include royalties from both the games and the Netflix series, after the franchise’s massive success.
Financial Impact
- What was the consolidated revenue for CD Projekt in 2022? The consolidated revenue for CD Projekt in 2022 reached 953 million PLN ($222 million), with 347 million PLN ($81 million) in net profit.
Expansion and Development
- When was CD Projekt Red formed? CD Projekt Red, the department responsible for developing original games like The Witcher series, was formed in 2002.
Legal and Financial Disputes
- Was CDPR sued? Yes, CDPR was involved in a class-action lawsuit and agreed to a $1.85 million settlement over allegations of making “materially false and misleading” statements about Cyberpunk 2077.
Author’s Perspective
- What does Andrzej Sapkowski think of The Witcher series? Sapkowski has mixed feelings, stating he doesn’t like or hate the show, but feels that season two deviated too far from the books and mishandled a fan-favorite character.
Netflix Involvement
- Did Netflix buy the rights to The Witcher from CDPR? Netflix acquired the rights to adapt The Witcher into a series, with Sapkowski ensuring he receives royalties from the show’s success.
Casting and Production
- Why was Geralt recast for The Witcher season 4? Geralt was recast with Henry Cavill leaving the role, reportedly due to creative differences and the physically demanding nature of the role.
Financial Figures
- How much did Henry Cavill make per episode for The Witcher? Cavill made $400,000 per episode for season 1, which was increased to $1 million per episode for season 2.
Development Costs
- How much did it cost to develop Cyberpunk 2077? The development of Cyberpunk 2077 reportedly cost $174 million, with an additional $142 million spent on marketing.
Losses and Market Value
- How much did CDPR lose after Cyberpunk 2077’s release? CDPR lost about 75% of its market value after the release of Cyberpunk 2077, with the company’s stock value falling significantly.
Piracy and DRM
- Does CDPR care about piracy? While CDPR is against piracy, they also oppose DRM (Digital Rights Management), believing it does not effectively reduce piracy and can negatively impact the gaming experience.
Royalties and Payments
- How much did Sapkowski demand in royalties for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt? Sapkowski demanded over $16.11 million in royalties for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, citing underpayment under Polish law.
Net Worth and Success
- What is Andrzej Sapkowski’s net worth? As of 2021, Andrzej Sapkowski’s net worth is reported to be around $10 million, thanks to his successful writing career and the popularity of The Witcher series, which has been translated into over 20 languages.