Warner Bros. Discovery has officially confirmed that a sequel to the immensely popular Harry Potter RPG, Hogwarts Legacy, is in development. The initial game achieved significant commercial success, becoming the biggest new release of 2022 and selling over 40 million copies. This confirmation comes as the company seeks to bolster its gaming division, which has faced challenges with other titles.
During a letter to shareholders on August 6th, Warner Bros. highlighted games as a crucial area for growth. The company stated that its Games division would concentrate its efforts on four key franchises, with Harry Potter being one of them. This strategic focus aims to leverage established, billion-dollar intellectual properties. The company's CFO, Gunnar Wiedenfels, had previously indicated in 2024 that a successor to Hogwarts Legacy was a "top priority" for the coming years. This official announcement solidifies that intention for investors.
JB Perrette, CEO and president of global streaming and games for Warner Bros. Discovery, outlined the company's strategy for 2025, emphasizing a more disciplined investment approach behind fewer, high-conviction titles. Following what he described as a "disappointing 2024" for the games division, the focus will be on the Harry Potter/Hogwarts Legacy, Game of Thrones, Mortal Kombat, and DC franchises. The latter will primarily feature Batman, with potential for other characters as the new DC Universe evolves.
Signs of a sequel's development have been present for some time. David Haddad, formerly the president of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, mentioned in 2024 that the games team was coordinating storytelling elements for the Hogwarts Legacy sequel with storylines planned for an upcoming Harry Potter HBO series. With the original game's four-year anniversary approaching, the timing is opportune for further announcements. Major gaming events such as Gamescom Opening Night Live in August and The Game Awards in December could potentially feature the first look at Hogwarts Legacy 2, with a release speculated for 2027 or 2028.