Andrzej Sapkowski has confirmed that he is not involved in the development of The Witcher 4, but Mike Pondsmith approaches his world differently.
The American designer, who has been developing the universe in tabletop RPGs and books for decades, is actively collaborating with CD Projekt RED on Cyberpunk 2 (Project Orion).
In the latest REDstream, Pondsmith said that he regularly visits the Polish studio, where developers show him early concepts for the sequel. As the author noted, "everyone listens" to his advice, and the team constantly consults with him on the world, technology, and style of the game.
Pondsmith serves as a consultant on the plot and visual style, as in Cyberpunk 2077, where he helped make weapons and locations more harsh and plausibly hyperbolized, rather than futuristically glossy. He has already seen part of the "new version of the game," including elements of media within the world — radio broadcasts and television programs, enhancing immersion in the dystopia.
Cyberpunk 2 is being created in full cooperation with the author of the original universe. Mike Pondsmith does not want to repeat Sapkowski's mistake and, together with the studio, wants to be part of the new game, which has a chance to become iconic.
