Warner Bros. Discovery has exciting news for fans of Hogwarts Legacy, which just hit a milestone of 30 million copies sold, securing its status as the top game of 2023. This incredible success highlights the timeless appeal of the Harry Potter universe, even 23 years after The Sorcerer’s Stone first cast its spell. The studio now has its sights set on a sequel, with ambitious plans to tie it into the upcoming Harry Potter TV series on HBO.

According to Variety, Warner Bros. is fast-tracking Hogwarts Legacy 2, bypassing any downloadable content for the original game to focus on developing the sequel. While it’s unclear if Legacy 2 will keep the single-player, microtransaction-free model that fans loved, Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav has hinted at exploring an “ongoing” Harry Potter game experience. Given that the single-player approach was a massive hit—and that Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League stumbled financially after adopting a live-service model—the decision is a bit of a gamble.

A key twist for Hogwarts Legacy 2 involves integrating broader “storytelling elements” to sync with plotlines in HBO’s upcoming series, which is expected to adapt all seven Harry Potter books over multiple seasons. This shift suggests that Hogwarts Legacy may leave its 1890s roots to explore settings closer to the timeline of the books, set in the 1990s. Although it’s doubtful players will assume the roles of Harry, Ron, or Hermione, they might encounter new narratives that closely parallel those in the series.

Logistically, this crossover between show and game could present challenges. With HBO series production often spanning 1.5 to 2 years between seasons, the TV adaptation could take over a decade to complete. On the gaming side, AAA titles face their own time constraints, which could risk rushed development or prolonged delays if deadlines aren’t managed carefully.

With the right choices, Warner Bros. Discovery could have another massive success on its hands. However, if they venture too far into live service territory or use the game as a mere promotional tool for the show, it may tarnish the franchise’s magic.