The analytical agency Newzoo has released a report on the gaming markets of the USA and the UK for the first quarter of 2023. The report reveals that the highest-grossing game was Hogwarts Legacy, with sales for Warner Bros. being 256% higher than expected. This applies to both PC and consoles, although in the UK, FIFA 23 was able to outsell the Harry Potter universe project.
How much was earned specifically?
Warner Bros. Discovery also reported on the success of Hogwarts Legacy in its financial report for the quarter ending on March 31. In late February, the company said the game's revenue reached $850 million within two weeks of release. Now, Warner Bros. Discovery states that the game's revenue from retail alone has reached $1 billion by the end of March.
Notably, Hogwarts Legacy accounted for nearly 10% of the company's total revenue for the quarter. Hogwarts Legacy achieved these figures without a release on PS4 and Xbox One, which took place only on May 5. For WB Games, this is the largest release in the history of the division and its best-selling game.
What else can we expect?
However, the studio's work doesn't end there. Avalanche Software is already working on its next big project, as revealed by a job posting for a programmer engineer to join the "talented team working on an unannounced AAA game for consoles." The job posting also indicates that the project will be developed on the Unreal Engine.
Earlier, Avalanche Software stated that the studio currently has no plans to release DLC for the Harry Potter RPG.
What are the reasons for such success?
One reason why Hogwarts Legacy has already garnered interest from many gamers is that it allows them to immerse themselves in the beloved world of Harry Potter and experience real magic. The Harry Potter franchise has a huge following and a loyal audience that is willing to pay for games and other products related to this universe.
It is also worth noting that Avalanche Software is known for its successful projects, such as the Disney Infinity series and the Cars game series. This may be another reason why the Hogwarts Legacy game is generating such interest among fans of the franchise.
Furthermore, the game promises to introduce many new features and functions that may attract even those who are not fans of the franchise. For example, players can create their own characters and choose their own adventures in the world of Hogwarts.
Finally, it's worth mentioning that the game Hogwarts Legacy received a lot of positive reviews after its first showcase at the Playstation Showcase 2021, which may also explain its success. Typically, when a game elicits positive emotions from critics and the public, it contributes to its success in the future.
