In a recent Morgan Stanley speaking event (thanks Gamespot), Warner Bros. has said that going forward, its strategy will focus on more live-service, mobile, and free-to-play games.
Warner Bros. Discovery gaming boss J.B. Perrette said on the company’s future strategy, “We’re doubling down on games as an area where we think there is a lot more growth opportunity that we can tap into with the IP that we have and some of the capabilities we have on the studio where we’re uniquely positioned as both a publisher and a developer of games.”
“Rather than just launching a one-and-done console game, how do we develop a game around, for example, a Hogwarts Legacy or Harry Potter, that is a live service where people can live and work and build and play in that world in an ongoing basis?” he continued.
The move does come somewhat of a surprise considering Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy was 2023’s best-selling title, which is the first time a game has dethroned Call of Duty or a Rockstar game in over 15 years. By the end of 2023, Hogwarts Legacy achieved a sales milestone of 22 million copies sold – and if that’s not good enough, what is?
In late 2023, Insider Gaming exclusively reported that Warner Bros. currently does have a live service Harry Potter game in development named ‘Quidditch Champions‘. The game is a twist on the very popular Rocket League, where players need to score a ball in hoops, but does offer fluid and fast-paced gameplay that does have a skill-gap that players could come to enjoy.
Late last year, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions had its biggest playtest yet, suggesting that the game could be nearing a release.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that Baldur’s Gate 3 will have four discs on Xbox