The Phenomenal Sales of Hogwarts Legacy
Warner Bros. Games has announced a remarkable achievement for “Hogwarts Legacy,” with the game selling an impressive 22 million copies in 2023. This success included a significant spike in December, with around 2 million copies sold, as reported to Variety. These impressive figures were reached despite the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling, who, while not directly involved in the game’s development, benefits financially from its success.
Bringing Harry Potter to Life for Gamers
David Haddad, the head of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, commented on the game’s impact:
“Hogwarts Legacy brought Harry Potter to life in a new way for gamers where they could be themselves in this world, in this story.”
Released in February, the game quickly soared in popularity, reaching 12 million copies sold and generating $850 million in revenue within just two weeks of its release. This rapid growth continued, with the game crossing 15 million copies sold and achieving over $1 billion in revenue, making it Warner Bros.’ biggest game release ever.
Dominating the US Sales Charts
Remarkably, “Hogwarts Legacy” was the top-selling game in the US through November 2023. If it maintained this position for the year, it would break a 15-year streak typically dominated by titles from Call of Duty or Rockstar Games. Haddad highlighted the significance of this achievement:
“That’s a position that typically is held by one of these incumbent’s sequel games and we’re so proud that we’ve been able to break into the top ranks.”
Sequel and Future Plans
While rumors about a sequel to “Hogwarts Legacy” from developer Avalanche are circulating, nothing is confirmed yet. Haddad did not delve into sequel plans but teased that Warner Bros. is working on “a series of other things” in the Harry Potter series for new games, including “Quidditch Champions,” which is currently in beta-testing.
Expanding the Harry Potter Universe
The success of “Hogwarts Legacy” is seen as a testament to the enduring popularity of the Harry Potter franchise. Warner Bros. Discovery is moving forward with ambitious plans, including a seven-season Harry Potter live-action series, with each season dedicated to one of the books.
Additionally, a documentary focusing on Daniel Radcliffe‘s stunt double, who suffered a tragic accident on the set of “The Deathly Hallows,” is currently streaming on Max.
In conclusion, the success of “Hogwarts Legacy” is not just a milestone for Warner Bros. Games but also a reaffirmation of the lasting appeal of the Harry Potter universe. With new developments and expansions on the horizon, the magical world of Harry Potter continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
