It is no secret that theHarry Potterfranchise is one of the biggest names in fantasy. Not only have fans spent hours reading the books and enjoying the films, but gamers were also recently treated to bothHogwarts LegacyandHarry Potter: Quidditch Champions. On top of that, there is countless merch, massive theme parks, and endlessHarry Pottercontent for them to explore. However, what comes next for the Wizarding World may be a bit uncertain, especially for the video games.
After theFantastic Beastsseries failed to impress, Warner Bros. quickly got to work rebooting the entireHarry Potterfranchise as a TV series. It remains to be seen if said TV show ends up being a success, but even if it is, futureHarry Pottergames may be in a bit of a tough spot. There will be a ton of different interpretations for said games to choose from, with the best option likely not being entirely clear. And if the games choose wrong, then they may not be able torepeat the success ofHogwarts Legacy.
Harry Potter Games Face an Uncertain Future
There Are Countless Directions Harry Potter Games Could Take
Because of the success ofHogwarts Legacy, Warner Bros. is forging ahead with all sorts of new experiences within the Wizarding World. Along with the hotly anticipated sequel, there arecalls for a new LEGO title, and Warner Bros. has said thatHarry Potteris one of the main franchises it wants to focus on going forward. While that can lead to some fantastic adventures, it is not entirely clear what sorts of games will emerge from that plan.
As of now, there are already many different interpretations ofHarry Potterthat a game could follow. For starters, it could simply adapt the original film franchise that helped make the series as big as it is today. Alternatively, games couldfollow inHogwarts Legacy’s footstepsand exist in that version or period of the Wizarding World. If a studio would rather make its own mark, then it could feature its own interpretation of the novels. And if that was not enough, a future game could be set within the TV show canon or follow the characters introduced inFantastic Beasts.
Not Every Line of Harry Potter Media is Created Equal
As the new TV reboot nears, it would make sense for Warner Bros. to deliver a game set within that version of the story to help hype it up. However, many fans that grew up with the films may have little interest in exploring a title set within the new canon because it is not their version of the story. On top of that, the game might not have much to offer those looking for a moreoriginal interpretation likeHogwarts Legacy. If the title attempts to appease all of these audiences, then it too could fall flat by failing to find a strong identity.
All of these different versions mean that future video games may have a hard time picking a direction. In contrast,the likes ofStar Warstry to ensure that all of its games remain within the main canon. Any game outside said canon has been deemed as Legends, with all future mainline games since Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm being set firmly within the main story. While that still results in many different genres and experiences, all the games tend to adhere to the same set of rules or aesthetic. RegardingHarry Potter’s future, those rules and aesthetic principles are not entirely clear.
There is also a chance thatHarry Pottersimply follows in Marvel or DC’s footsteps. Many of those games tend to be separate and feature original interpretations of the iconic characters, with only some of them spawning their own franchises. Given the differences inHogwarts LegacyandHarry Potter: Quidditch Champions, that may be exactly what is happening. However, based on the franchise’s extensive video game history, it seems like adapting the live-action projects is quite possible too. Only time will tell.
