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Warner Bros. has confirmed that Hogwarts Legacy 2, a sequel to the highly successful Avalanche Studio-produced Harry Potter game Hogwarts Legacy is in development. Following its impressive sales of over 24 million copies, Hogwarts Legacy has generated over US$1 billion in revenue since its launch in February 2023.
Per Variety, the announcement was made by Warner Bros. Discovery CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels during the Bank of America’s 2024 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference. “Obviously, a successor to Hogwarts Legacy is one of the biggest priorities in a couple of years down the road. So there is certainly a significant growth contribution from that [games] business in our strategic outlook here.”
The decision to develop Hogwarts Legacy 2 underscores the company’s commitment to building on the success of its predecessor, which outperformed major titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 last year. Despite facing challenges within its gaming sector, notably the problematic release of Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which led to a US$200 million revenue hit, Warner Bros. remains optimistic about its future in gaming.
Wiedenfels referred to the gaming division, which includes notable developers like Mortal Kombat’s NetherRealm Studios, as a “strategic asset.” In addition to Hogwarts Legacy 2, Warner Bros. is also expanding its portfolio with the release of Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, the ongoing development of the Smash Bros.-style brawler MultiVersus, the VR-exclusive Batman: Arkham Shadow, and a Wonder Woman game by Monolith Productions.
Given the projected timeline for Hogwarts Legacy 2, it’s suggested that the game may launch around the next console generation, possibly coinciding with new offerings from Microsoft and PlayStation. This strategic timing could position the sequel alongside major platform releases, potentially maximising its impact upon release.
In preparation for the sequel, Warner Bros. is also developing a Director’s Cut of the original Hogwarts Legacy, leveraging Rocksteady’s expertise. This move aims to enhance the first game’s experience while setting the stage for the upcoming sequel, ensuring the franchise’s continued appeal and relevance in the competitive gaming market.