The role-playing game Hogwarts Legacy, set in the world of Harry Potter, has achieved remarkable commercial success, selling over 22 million copies in 2023. In an interview with Variety, David Haddad, president of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, stated that it ranks as the best-selling game of the year. He noted that approximately 2 million copies were sold during the holiday season, likely due to significant discounts. However, it is essential to approach these figures with caution, as sales numbers from other game developers such as Larian Studios (Baldur’s Gate 3) and Activision (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3) have not been disclosed, leaving some uncertainty around the claim.
“It brought Harry Potter to life in a new way for gamers where they could be themselves in this world, in this story,” Haddad explained in the interview. He credited the development team at Avalanche for their efforts in creating an engaging experience, which contributed to the game’s remarkable success. Looking to the future, Warner Bros. plans to capitalize on established franchises to drive sales. CEO David Zaslav discussed this strategy in November, emphasizing a shift toward a live service model that would transform major franchises into ongoing products, featuring regular content updates and enhanced monetization strategies. This initiative is likely to extend to free-to-play mobile games and the fighting game MultiVersus, which showcases characters from various WB properties and is anticipated for a full launch this year.
Since its launch in February 2023, Hogwarts Legacy has captivated players, allowing them to uncover secrets within the magical world, while Avalanche benefited from robust sales partly influenced by the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling. Interest in the game has waned in the months that followed, culminating in no nominations at The Game Awards 2023. Nevertheless, Warner Bros. is keen on broadening its Harry Potter franchise with upcoming projects, including the Quidditch Champions game, which underwent closed testing last year. As Quidditch was not featured in Hogwarts Legacy, the multiplayer element will be watched closely, sparking speculation about a potential live service model for the game.
To date, players have engaged in various activities within Hogwarts Legacy, such as crafting 819 million potions, cultivating 1.3 billion magical plants, defeating 4.9 billion dark wizards, and rescuing 593 million fantastical beasts. Haddad highlighted NetherRealm Studios’ Mortal Kombat 1 as another success story, noting it has attracted more players than any prior title in the franchise’s 30-plus years. Despite having sold 3 million copies by November, Mortal Kombat 1 has faced criticism due to its implementation of microtransactions, a commonly unpopular feature among gamers. Additionally, Warner Bros.’ upcoming title, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, is also expected to adopt a live service approach, raising concerns among longtime fans of developer Rocksteady.
Hogwarts Legacy is currently available on various platforms, including PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch.
