Table of content Table of content
It’s the announcement that has shaken the entire industry. After EA was acquired for a modest $55 billion, with Saudi Arabia securing a massive 93% majority stake, Warner Bros. is now up for grabs. Two entertainment giants are vying for this major prize: Paramount, which is scrambling to make a counteroffer, and Netflix, the apparent favorite of the rights holders for Batman, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings.
The streaming giant is ready to sign an $83 billion buyout deal, and in either scenario, the future buyer will also gain Warner’s video game division as part of the package. But the big winner will still need to have a genuine interest in video games. Suffice to say, the future of Hogwarts Legacy 2 and Batman Arkham is looking very uncertain.
For Netflix, Video Games Are Something “Minor”
During its investor call on December 8, Netflix naturally addressed its planned acquisition of Warner Bros., a deal that, according to the latest updates, is expected to close in the coming days. Gregory Peters, co-CEO of the streaming giant, made some controversial remarks about Warner Bros.’ video game division. He stated that this branch was not even included in the $83 billion deal. “They’re relatively minor compared to the grand scheme of things,” he explained to an investor. These comments are likely to raise eyebrows within the gaming industry.
While it’s true that Warner Bros.’ gaming division has faced its share of setbacks, including notable failures like Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus, it still holds some major franchises. Hogwarts Legacy, for instance, was the best-selling game in the United States in 2023, with 34 million copies sold in just one year. Its sequel, Hogwarts Legacy 2, is eagerly anticipated by fans of the Harry Potter series. The division also retains iconic franchises such as Batman Arkham, for which fans have long been clamoring for a new entry from Rocksteady, as well as the endlessly popular LEGO games, Mortal Kombat, and The Lord of the Rings.
What Does the Future Hold for Hogwarts Legacy 2?
Admittedly, Warner Bros.’ video game division has struggled under David Zaslav’s leadership, but calling it “minor” is a significant exaggeration. Despite some mixed results in the gaming sector and failed attempts on both PC and console platforms, Netflix still appears to be stumbling its way through the industry. The streaming giant has shut down several studios, even with prestigious names in its portfolio, and has recently shifted its focus to mobile games, a segment that remains largely overlooked by most of its subscribers.
Given this track record and the apparent lack of a clear vision for gaming, the future of flagship franchises like Batman Arkham and games like Hogwarts Legacy 2 is anything but certain. However, Gregory Peters has not entirely ruled out the possibility of adding franchises like Harry Potter and LEGO to its mobile game lineup, with new titles developed specifically for smartphones. That said, if Netflix doesn’t entrust its gaming division to true industry experts, the future of these beloved licenses looks rather bleak.
Source: Kotaku
