It seems like from the moment Hogwarts Legacy was launched in February 2023, all players have been thinking about is when the sequel will drop and how it will improve upon the game's very solid foundation. While theories and desired features have been thrown around online, fans have been waiting for Warner Bros. to confirm that a sequel is indeed on its way.
Luckily, Warner Bros. announced that Hogwarts Legacy 2 is important to it and its strategy going forward. This is not particularly surprising considering the first game's enormous success, but it's definitely good news for fans. However, one concerning detail that has arisen is that Warner Bros. wants to connect the upcoming Hogwarts Legacy 2 to the HBO Harry Potter show, and that could result in a rushed final product.
It Could End Up Being Rushed In Development
It makes complete sense why Warner Bros. wants to tie the much-anticipated Hogwarts Legacy sequel with the upcoming Harry Potter HBO show, which has already generated controversy due to how much involvement J.K. Rowling has with it. Not only was Hogwarts Legacy the best-selling game of 2023, but it continues to be a success, with rumors of a Definitive Edition stirring up even more excitement for it. Additionally, other production companies have found great, albeit waning, success with connected universes. Naturally, Warner Bros. wants a slice of that pie.
Rushing Hogwarts Legacy 2 just to create a connected universe could end up losing Warner Bros. even more money.
However, not only does this nonsensical Hogwarts Legacy 2 crossover feel redundant, as the Harry Potter universe has been connected from the get-go, with characters appearing in Hogwarts Legacy that are directly related to those in the books, but it could end up being harmful overall. It's clear that Warner Bros. is in hot water with its various properties, especially as the Suicide Squad game lost $200 million, and MultiVersus has also proven to be a commercial failure. However, rushing Hogwarts Legacy 2 just to create a connected universe could end up losing them even more money.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Needs A Lot Of Development Time To Be Perfect
It Has The Potential To Be Incredible
The original Hogwarts Legacy was in production for around five years and was Avalanche Software's first open-world RPG. It needed a long time in the oven to ensure that it met the expectations of the Harry Potter fanbase as well as catering to casual gamers as well. Luckily, it reviewed incredibly well, proving that the effort was well spent. Since its launch in February 2023, Avalanche has been relatively quiet, releasing a few minor updates, but little else. However, rumors began circulating about a Definitive Edition of Hogwarts Legacy, one that is adding around 15 hours of new story content.
Of course, like with all rumors, it needs to be taken with a grain of salt as it hasn't been confirmed officially by Avalance Software or Warner Bros. However, it comes from reliable sources and has been corroborated by multiple websites, which speaks to its likely authenticity.
Importantly, this Definitive Edition is allegedly being developed with the assistance of Rocksteady, the developers of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and the Arkham games. Naturally, this will give Avalanche more resources and assistance, which will shorten development time. Regardless, Hogwarts Legacy: Definitive Edition will still take up key resources and personnel away from the core Avalanche Software team, which will undoubtedly delay any meaningful production of the sequel.
Related
10 Things The Hogwarts Legacy Definitive Edition Should Include
The rumored Hogwarts Legacy Definitive Edition needs to include a number of new features ranging from immersive additions to whole new storylines.
Even if Rocksteady is the primary developer of the Definitive Edition, which seems highly unlikely, Avalanche would still have some level of involvement as it's an expansion for its game. This would also take away from time that could be spent on Hogwarts Legacy's sequel. So, with so much time being potentially spent on the creation of this DLC, it's hard to see how Hogwarts Legacy 2 could be made in time for the Harry Potter HBO show that launches in 2026.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Shouldn't Become The Next Cyberpunk 2077
If It's Rushed Too Early It Could Release Broken
There is a rather funny video on YouTube posted to the official Hogwarts Legacy channel which showcases some of the bugs the team encountered while developing the game. It's a humorous insight into video game production and the kinds of things that are promptly fixed before launch day. However, it now feels like a potential warning about what could happen with Hogwarts Legacy 2 if Warner Bros. wants it rushed out in time for the Harry Potter HBO show.
What absolutely no one wants is for the game to be rushed and end up like another Cyberpunk 2077 disaster. While it's possible that Avalanche has been working tirelessly on the sequel since the first game launched and that the rumors of the Definitive Edition are unfounded, it still seems like a relatively short turnaround considering the development time for the first game. Naturally, Avalanche has learned a lot of lessons and will likely build off a lot of the foundations set by Hogwarts Legacy, much like how Tears of the Kingdom was built off of Breath of the Wild.
Warner Bros. hasn't officially confirmed that Hogwarts Legacy 2 is intended to be released in 2026. The Variety report detailing how the game and show will be linked explains that storylines in Hogwarts Legacy 2 will connect to those in the Harry Potter show. However, in order for players to understand these connections, the two will likely have to be released simultaneously. It also makes sense considering Warner Bros.'s new push for more Harry Potter content.
However, there is still a good chance that Warner Bros., now under pressure due to a string of failed video games, will push Hogwarts Legacy 2 out too early and ruin the brand's reputation even further. One can only hope that this isn't the case and that Warner Bros. gives Hogwarts Legacy 2 the time it needs to breathe and develop into a far better game than its predecessor. However, as much as everyone would like Hogwarts Legacy 2 to succeed, Warner Bros.'s track record for pushing games out before they're ready is only increasing.
Source: Hogwarts Legacy/YouTube, Variety
Editor’s Note: Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling has been accused of transphobia by those in the LGBTQ+ community. Although not directly involved in the development of Hogwarts Legacy, Rowling does stand to earn royalties from the game. We would like to reiterate our support for trans rights and that trans identities are valid. Support services are listed below for trans people impacted by discussions of transphobia.
In the USA:
Trans Lifeline : (877) 565-8860
In Canada:
Trans Lifeline : (877) 330-6366
Youth Line : 1-800-268-9688
In the UK:
Switchboard : 01273 204050
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy
Systems
Released February 10, 2023
Developer(s) Avalanche Software
Publisher(s) Warner Bros. Interactive
Engine Unreal Engine 4
ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
How Long To Beat 26 Hours
X|S Optimized yes
Metascore 84
PS Plus Availability N/A
Steam Deck Compatibility Yes, Hogwarts Legacy is Verified on Steam Deck
OpenCritic Rating Mighty
Cross Save you can freely use your saved data between each console as long as you are connected to the internet and signed into the same account where the saved data was created
Cross-Platform Play Hogwarts Legacy doesn't have crossplay or crossplatform support
English (US) ·