Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski created The Witcher fantasy series of novels, which was adapted into celebrated video games by CD Projekt Red. The books also served as the source material for the recently released–and very popular–Netflix TV series that will return for Season 2 in 2021.
Sapkowski recently gave an interview to i09 about the show, and he had some wonderful responses. Asked to compare the TV show to the video games, Sapkowski said he’s not a great person to ask because the only games he has ever played are bridge and poker. Furthermore, TV shows and video games cannot be compared because they are too different, he said.
“I cannot compare anything to video games, because I have never played any. Since I was a kid I haven’t played any games–with a possible exception of bridge and poker. Video games are simply not for me, I prefer books as entertainment,” he said.
“Anyway, in my opinion TV series and video games–any of them–cannot be compared. They are too different in approach, making–and objective,” he added. “You cannot compare spaghetti carbonara with a bicycle. Even though both have advantages and disadvantages.”
Also in the interview, Sapkowski says he wasn’t very involved in the production of the Netflix show because, “I do not like working too hard or too long.” And on the subject of The Witcher Season 2, Sapkowski isn’t getting his hopes up. “Allow me to quote Joe Abercrombie, the author whose books are very much to my liking: ‘Life is, basically, f***ing s***. Best to keep your expectations low. Maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised,'” he said.
The rest of the interview is delightful and well worth a read for fans of the show and those who want to read a refreshingly frank and dark interview.
The Witcher TV show sparked renewed interest in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which recently enjoyed its biggest day ever on Steam. CD Projekt Red’s next game is this September’s Cyberpunk 2077, but the Polish studio has teased that it might make The Witcher 4 someday.
