Did CDP contact him for consultation or even deeper co-operation and he declined, or did CDP never ask him ?
from left to right: Adam Kiciński (former head of CDP RED, now CEO of CD Projekt Group), Michał Madej (TW1 chief designer), Andrzej Sapkowski, Michał Kiciński (CD Projekt's co-founder, CEO of CD Projekt Group back then)
Sapkowski said, that they asked for consultation (e.g. map, names etc.), but he was not asked for co-writing. He also said, that he would probably refuse such proposal, because his knowledge about video games is close to zero. He even doesn't want to know more, because he doesn't like to play video games. He prefers books.
If Sapkowski wanted to write a sequel, he would have write one already or has plans for it. I don't think he will let the games influence his work.
I don't think he cares what gamers will think about him. He only cares about books and readers to some (minor) point.
I think that Sapkowski most likely offered his help, if CDPR needed it, but nothing else.
I think not. He's not kind of a guy, who ask about anything. In other words: cheque was more than enough for him.
Well I think Sapkowski is really within his rights to try and stay detached from the Games' storyline.
He doesn't give a damn about games and their stories. At least he suggested this on meeting with fans last summer. I recorded it, you can watch it
HERE (Polish only).
The games are responsible for much of the Witcher popularity.
That is true for English-speaking countries, but in Central and Eastern Europe his books are well known since the 90's. In Poland and Russia he's considered a star amongst fantasy fans.
One has to take into consideration that Sapkowski had already developed ideas in his mind for future books after the Saga, but CDPR's games have made those ideas really hard to bring to life, since they would probably contradict each other.
He said many times, that he has exclusive right to tell canon story. Everything else is just adaptation and should be considered as one.
I believe that's one of the reasons Sapkowski decided to do a prequel,
No. He decided to write 'sidequel' (his words), because he definitely finished the Witcher saga (novel series about Ciri and Geralt). However he has never said that he will never ever write anything about Geralt. So there you have Storm Season.
I can't imagine that him writing a book that discards everything that happens in the Games
I can imagine that without any problem. ;D If you would say to him, that you expect him to accept games as a canon, he would find that very insulting. I've read, watched and listened many interviews with him, and I know his mindset. He's extremely proud of his books and writer's job. He's obviously a little arrogant, but very entertaining guy at the same time.
Frankly, if Sapkowski writes new book and it conflicts with the games, then I will consider the book non-canon, eventhough officially "according to Sapkowski" it will be canon.
Books = canon. It's a fact, not Sapkowski's opinion.
I am not going to discard decade long journey I had through three amazing interactive stories that CDP crafted over a new book.
You don't have to discard anything. Absolutely not. Just consider games as fan fiction. Does that make games worse? Of course not. Sapkowski's vision shouldn't affect your love of games. Books and games are different media.
I know Sapkowski is a bit arrogant/proud when it comes to adaptations of his works, but still, as much as I understand and accept that Witcher is his baby and original creation, I would find it a bit disrespectful towards CDP and Witcher fans (who played the games) if he chose to completely ignore what the games did and wrote over them.
If you were Witcher author, you would probably find disrespectful emotional blackmail like that. He's the creator, his books are canon, he can write whatever he wants about Geralt. I just hope his new book will be good in terms of fantasy literature.