The groundbreaking success of Hogwarts Legacy did more than just turn heads in the gaming world; it signaled the resurgence of the Harry Potter franchise. In an exclusive conversation with Variety, David Haddad, president of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, shared insights on how the triumph of Hogwarts Legacy has paved the way for a more interconnected approach to storytelling across the franchise. The sequel, Hogwarts Legacy 2, will be the first step toward integrating this strategy, tying directly into the upcoming Harry Potter TV show on HBO.
Haddad revealed that major story elements for the highly anticipated game are being crafted with an eye on synchronization with the forthcoming series. This alignment marks a significant shift in how Warner Bros. plans to weave its properties into a seamless, shared universe, thanks in part to the success of Hogwarts Legacy.
As reported by Variety, Haddad emphasized, “The games team has been coordinating some of the big-picture storytelling elements in the Hogwarts Legacy sequel with the storylines that will play out in the Harry Potter HBO series from Warner Bros. Television.” He pointed out that the success of Hogwarts Legacy reignited confidence across the company, adding, “The rest of the company was very curious about what we helped to unlock with Hogwarts Legacy last year.”
Back in May 2023, David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, highlighted just how significant this success was, noting that Hogwarts Legacy had already exceeded $1 billion in retail sales and sold over 15 million units globally—a milestone achieved before its release on PS4 and Xbox One. This incredible performance stands in sharp contrast to the current state of the Harry Potter franchise, which had experienced a dip in momentum since its peak in the 2000s.
The latest spin-off film, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, underscored this decline, grossing less than $500 million during its theatrical run. In contrast, the anticipation for Hogwarts Legacy 2 is palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting its release while the Fantastic Beasts series, featuring Eddie Redmayne, appears to be indefinitely on pause (as hinted by Jude Law).
The decision to emphasize video game storytelling within the Harry Potter universe isn’t an entirely new direction for Warner Bros., but the approach has evolved dramatically. Earlier Harry Potter games, starting with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001), largely mirrored the films or ventured into crossovers like LEGO adaptations and mobile games. However, Hogwarts Legacy took a bold step forward with its AAA, open-world format.
Set a century before the events of Harry Potter’s story, Hogwarts Legacy invites players to experience a richly detailed version of Hogwarts while embarking on an immersive 25-30 hour journey centered around a Goblin rebellion. As noted in reviews, “Hogwarts Legacy may not be perfect, but it sparks the imagination with a vibrant world and gameplay that is both empowering and exhilarating.”
While previous game adaptations followed a tried-and-true formula, Warner Bros. now has the opportunity to advance the franchise through video gaming, unlocking new narrative pathways and deeper engagement for players. This new era could position gaming as an integral piece of the Harry Potter universe, inviting fans to step deeper into the wizarding world in unprecedented ways.
