The success of Hogwarts Legacy has paved the way for a probable sequel, as the open-world action RPG set in the Harry Potter universe became the best-selling title of 2023, selling over 24 million units in less than a year. While there has been no official confirmation or discussion of downloadable content (DLC) for the original game, a recent job advertisement seeking Unreal Engine 5 expertise suggests that a sequel is in the works.
JB Perrette, the CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at Warner Bros. Discovery, hinted at the potential direction of Hogwarts Legacy 2 during his appearance at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference. Perrette expressed that the triple-A console market is inconsistent, prompting the exploration of a live service model for the sequel. This approach aims to engage players continuously, moving away from the traditional pattern of one-off big launches.
The majority of Warner Bros. Games’ current business revolves around four major intellectual properties (IP): Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter (highlighted by the success of Hogwarts Legacy), and the DC world. Perrette acknowledged the volatility of the triple-A console market and outlined the company’s strategy to develop a more holistic approach. This involves expanding into the mobile and multiplatform free-to-play markets, alongside a focus on live services. Rather than releasing standalone console games, the goal is to create games like Hogwarts Legacy 2 as live services, allowing players to continually explore, build, and play within the Harry Potter world.
While acknowledging the challenges of delivering a successful live service game, Perrette expressed Warner Bros.’ commitment to exploring this model with Hogwarts Legacy 2. The move aligns with the company’s vision for sustained revenue growth over the next few years, utilizing its strong franchises and studio capabilities.
Source: wccftech.com
