Despite Hogwarts Legacy 2 having been in development since the launch of its predecessor back in 2023, it has been less than an easy ride for Avalanche Software, and more specifically, its publisher, Warner Bros. Games.

Whilst talks of acquisitions have been ongoing for the past few years, it seems as though a major announcement may just shake the very development of the highly anticipated sequel, as both Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery’s game divisions are set to be merged under Skydance. As such, some of the biggest IPs in entertainment history may now become available under just one roof.

In a report by Variety, Skydance will now have complete control over a large list of IPs, such as Harry Potter, and, as such, this could have an impact on the upcoming launch of Hogwarts Legacy.

In the reported $110bn merger, Paramount Skydance has taken official ownership of Warner Bros. Discovery, meaning that companies such as HBO, CBS, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Comedy Central, DC Studios and Food Network will unite under a brand-new banner. However, after months of speculation over the merger, with many wondering how this will affect the biggest studios in L.A., we can only hope that this merger will put a stop to worries over potential cuts and consolidation.

Now, Paramount will have full creative control over many of our favorite franchises, including Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and The Lord of the Rings, which will add to its current portfolio consisting of Indiana Jones, Mission: Impossible and Shrek.

With the corporation, now renamed Skydance Corporation, united under this banner, it remains to be seen what this will mean for the future of the aforementioned franchises. However, according to David Ellison, chairman and chief executive of Skydance and the original founder of the company, it is a “historic” deal for the entertainment industry.

“From the start, our ambition was to bring these two storied studios together and create a stronger competitor, with the talent, resources, and reach to tell great stories in every genre, on every platform, for audiences everywhere. Now that ambition is a reality,” he said.

With studios such as Rocksteady, NetherRealm, Avalanche Software, TT Games and WB Games Montreal already under its belt, this acquisition will definitely have some impact on Hogwarts Legacy 2, which does not yet have a release window despite rumors suggesting it could launch as early as next year.

However, following the news of Skydance Corporation’s merger, what will happen with the future of Hogwarts Legacy remains to be seen as it has not yet been explicitly mentioned. It is doubtful that it will be canceled in any way, especially with the prequel being the best-selling game of 2023 and the Harry Potter IP having such a dedicated fanbase, but we can only hope that this recent news will not have any impact on the developers working on the highly anticipated sequel.

Systems

Released

February 10, 2023

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol

Developer(s)

Avalanche Software

Publisher(s)

Warner Bros. Interactive

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

Cross-Platform Play

Hogwarts Legacy doesn’t have crossplay or crossplatform support

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

Number of Players

Single-player