The announcement of the expansion raised questions because the project was entrusted to a third-party studio, Fool's Theory, and the lead writer's biography might dispel some doubts. In 2017, as a comparative literature student, Paula Meissner defended her bachelor's thesis on the first official expansion to The Witcher 3 – Hearts of Stone.
In her research, she viewed video games as a modern form of interaction with literature, thoroughly analyzing the cultural layer of the game and references to Polish classics, including Stanisław Wyspiański's "The Wedding" and the character of Gaunter O'Dimm.
According to Meissner, the work arose from her fascination with the universe and a desire to prove to her professors that video games are full-fledged cultural texts deserving serious analysis. Her study of The Witcher's literary heritage subsequently influenced her professional path and her desire to create her own stories in this world.