Surprising Facts About the Witcher Franchise
The Witcher franchise is a beloved and very popular series of books, video games, and a TV show. Created by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, the series follows the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter for hire, as he navigates the complex political and social landscape of a world filled with magic and monsters.
While fans of the franchise may be familiar with the main characters and plot points, there are some surprising facts about the series that even the most ardent fans may not know. This is why, in this post, we’re going to tell you 5 surprising facts about the Witcher franchise that you might not know. In other words, and we can’t resist a pun, here’s some Geralt of Rivia trivia.
The Witcher games were developed by a Polish video game company
CD Projekt Red, the video game company responsible for developing the Witcher games, is based in Warsaw, Poland. The company was founded in 1994 and initially focused on distributing video games in Poland. However, it eventually shifted its focus to game development and has since become one of the world’s most successful video game companies.
The games are so loved because they cater to all types of gamers. They’re both challenging and intriguing and have a compelling story throughout. Even if you’re one of the gamers who prefer to play with real money on the table, we suggest you give Witcher a shot. These games were developed using the RED engine, a proprietary game engine developed by CD Projekt Red. The games are known for their immersive storytelling, complex characters, and choice-based gameplay. It may come as a shock that they weren’t made in the West like most of the popular and high-quality games nowadays.
The Witcher was originally a series of short stories
Many fans of the Witcher franchise may not be aware that it began as a series of short stories written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski in the 1980s. Yes, it’s that old! The stories were collected into The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny anthologies.
These introduced readers to the character of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a Witcher. The success of the short stories led to a series of full-length novels and the eventual expansion of the Witcher franchise into video games and a TV series.
The short stories and novels are set in a fictional world inspired by Slavic mythology and folklore, where humans, elves, dwarves, and other creatures coexist in a precarious balance of power. The stories explore morality, identity, and destiny themes, and are known for their complex characters and dark tone.
The Witcher franchise has sold over 50 million copies worldwide
Despite its origins as a series of short stories, the Witcher franchise has become a global phenomenon, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide. The video game series alone has sold over 30 million copies, making it one of the most successful video game franchises of all time.
The success of the Witcher franchise has also led to a surge in popularity for the original books decades later, with translations of the novels and short stories available in over 20 languages. The recent Netflix series has also introduced The Witcher to a whole new audience, further cementing its place in popular culture.
The Witcher franchise has its language
Did you know that the Witcher franchise has its language, known as the Elder Speech? The language was created by the author himself for the original Witcher books and has since been used in video games and TV series.
The Elder Speech is based on Welsh, Irish, and Scottish Gaelic, and is known for its complex grammar and syntax. While it is not a fully developed language like Klingon or Elvish, it has a dedicated fanbase who have created their own dictionaries and grammar guides. So, if you want, you can learn it!
The Witcher franchise has been adapted into a successful television series
This isn’t a surprise, but in 2019, Netflix released a television series based on the Witcher books and video games. The series stars Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia and has gained immense success and further popularized the books.
The series was a critical and commercial success, with many praising its faithful adaptation of the source material and its impressive visual effects. The success of the series has led to a third season being commissioned, and the fans are disappointed that the main role is going to be given to a different actor.
In conclusion, the Witcher franchise is a multimedia phenomenon that has captivated audiences around the world. From its origins as a series of short stories to its current status as a multi-award-winning video game franchise and hit television series, the Witcher has come a long way. With its surprising facts, unique language, and complex characters, the Witcher franchise continues to be a must-see for fans of fantasy and adventure.