Author of The Witcher criticizes game schools as "harmful mistake"

Andrzej Sapkowski, the author of the books that inspired video games, a series, and The Witcher movies, revealed that one of the central narrative pillars established by CD Projekt RED games is actually a writing error that he wished he had discarded. The original creator's criticism raises a debate about the canonicity and direction of the franchise's lore, especially in the context of the teaser for The Witcher 4.

In a recent question and answer session on Reddit, Sapkowski addressed the concept of the various Witcher Schools, widely popularized by the games, classifying it as fundamentally flawed. His harshest criticism attacks the essence of creating lore in the games, as the concept of the Schools has become one of the main themes of the teaser for The Witcher 4.

Sapkowski said that "A single sentence about a 'wolf school' mysteriously appeared in The Last Wish. Later, I considered it unworthy of development and narratively incorrect, even harmful to the plot. Therefore, I did not include or mention any Witcher Gruffindors or Slytherins again. Never."

The literary error that Sapkowski laments was turned by CD Projekt RED into a richly detailed lore element, essential for the narrative structure, character progression, and gear design in the games. The Wolf School, the Cat School, the Bear School, and others have become crucial for the characters' identity and the depth of the world. CD Projekt RED managed to rescue an idea that the author considered harmful and turned it into a beloved element by the fans and essential for the continuity of the saga in gaming.

Sapkowski himself acknowledged, not flatteringly, the dedication of game developers in perpetuating the idea, even against his original literary intention.

"However, only that sentence was enough. Whoever adapted it, especially the video game staff, clung to the idea with surprising tenacity and wonderfully multiplied those witcher choices. Completely unnecessary."

This "surprising tenacity" of CD Projekt RED is what keeps the concept alive in the minds of the fans and ensures its inclusion in the next title, The Witcher 4.

The fact that the concept of the various Witcher schools is the backbone of the teaser for The Witcher 4 reinforces that the game's canon prevailed over the author's vision of the books. The public now inherently associates the Witcher universe with the existence of various Schools and their respective masters, techniques, and equipment. This popularization through the video games has established the narrative reality that CD Projekt RED will continue to explore, ensuring that Sapkowski's error remains a pillar of the franchise in the years to come.

Despite his strong and public opinion, Sapkowski did not indicate a definitive action regarding his own books. He mentioned that he could remove the "errant sentence" from future editions of The Last Wish or, alternatively, could "expand and clarify" the topic. However, the author did not say what he intends to do, indicating that, for now, he does not intend to "tire of fighting it" in the public domain, tacitly accepting the version popularized by the games.

CD Projekt RED has demonstrated the power of adaptation by turning a single and "harmful" sentence from Andrzej Sapkowski into a central element of lore in The Witcher, which will be maintained in The Witcher 4. The author's comment underscores the tension between the original literary canon and the video game industry canon, in which the Wolf School and its counterparts have established themselves with surprising tenacity in the minds of the fans.