Warner Bros. Discovery is setting its sights on a larger slice of the video game pie, outlining plans to expand its internal game development efforts significantly. This move comes amidst the company’s broader push to leverage its intellectual property library across various entertainment mediums, including streaming and gaming.
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, highlighted the video game division’s impressive performance during its Q3 earnings call (Thanks Variety). He noted it “consistently among the highest ROIs of any of our businesses.” He further emphasized the growth potential, particularly within the lucrative video game market, estimated to be worth nearly $200 billion.
While smaller than industry giants like Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard, Warner Bros. Games boasts four billion-dollar franchises: Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, DC, and Mortal Kombat. These IPs have fueled significant success, with titles like Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 11 achieving blockbuster sales.
However, Warner Bros. Discovery aims to move beyond traditional console and PC releases, focusing on “always-on” experiences. This strategy will prioritize live service games, mobile titles, and free-to-play offerings, capitalizing on the trend of extended player engagement seen in these formats. “We want it to be ‘always on,'” remarked JB Perrette, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming & Interactive Entertainment. He pointed to the success of mobile games like Game of Thrones: Conquest as an example of this approach, keeping the franchise relevant between television seasons.
DC Comics will also see an increased focus on gaming, with Warner Bros. Games collaborating closely with the newly appointed DC Studio heads, James Gunn and Peter Safran. Gunn, himself a gamer, aims to integrate video games into the reimagined DC canon, ensuring a cohesive experience across platforms.
Despite its internal development push, Warner Bros. Discovery acknowledges the complexities of the gaming industry. Perrette noted that making high-quality games is very different from making TV shows or movies.
