Hogwarts Legacy" Enchants the Gaming World: Warner Bros. Discovery Games Boss Shares Exclusive Insights and Future Plans

In an exclusive interview with Variety, Warner Bros. Games revealed that "Hogwarts Legacy" achieved remarkable success by selling 22 million copies in 2023, solidifying its position as the best-selling game of the year globally. David Haddad, President of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, expressed his pride not only in the game's sales figures but also in its ability to captivate fans by bringing the Harry Potter universe to life in a unique way.

Since its launch on February 10, the AAA title, produced by Avalanche Studios, accumulated an impressive 707 million hours of gameplay, showcasing its enduring popularity. Haddad highlighted the game's replay value, with many fans opting to experience different storylines by choosing alternative Hogwarts houses.

In addition to the significant sales milestone, the in-game data provided fascinating insights into players' activities. The virtual wizarding school saw 819 million potions brewed, 1.3 billion magical plants harvested, 593 million magical beasts rescued, and an astonishing 4.9 billion dark wizards defeated.

Looking ahead, Warner Bros. Games is actively working on expanding the Potterverse's video game offerings. Haddad teased an upcoming Quidditch title currently in beta testing, aiming to address fans' desires for this wizarding sport. Beyond that, there are plans for unannounced projects that promise to deepen players' connection with the Harry Potter world.

While "Hogwarts Legacy" has undoubtedly been a standout success, Warner Bros. Games has a broader focus. Haddad emphasized the company's commitment to prioritizing Warner Bros. franchises and intellectual properties, as directed by top executives including streaming and gaming chief J.B. Perrette, WBD CEO David Zaslav, and CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels.

In 2023, the launch of "Mortal Kombat 1" further exemplified this strategy, attracting more players across the franchise than ever before in its 30-plus year history. The game's nomination for best fighting game of the year at the Game Awards in December added to its accolades.

Upcoming releases include the ambitious "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League" on February 2 and the free-to-play brawler game "MultiVersus," featuring Warner Bros.-owned characters. Additionally, the studio has exciting plans for a single-player open-world action Wonder Woman game and games contributing to the planned relaunch of the DC Universe.

Haddad highlighted the crucial role games play in maintaining the relevance and excitement of franchises, echoing statements made during Warner Bros. Discovery's Q3 earnings call in November. The company's new focus involves transforming franchises to include more live services, multi-platform accessibility, and free-to-play extensions to engage players across various platforms.

As Warner Bros. Games continues to evolve its gaming strategy, fans can anticipate a future filled with immersive experiences, live services, and new content across their favorite franchises, including the enchanting world of "Hogwarts Legacy."