While this year presented several standout game launches, not all was positive. Among these, the game Skull and Bones didn’t impress, but Suicide Squad Kill The Justice League stands out as the most notable letdown. After this game’s flop, the latest Warner Bros. gaming strategy spells bad news for fans of Harry Potter, DC Comics, and other esteemed Warner Bros. Discovery franchises.
The fallout from the release of Suicide Squad Kill The Justice League has led to Warner Bros. recognizing the game’s shortcomings. On SteamDB, the game’s peak player count has dropped below 500, and playing without an internet connection remains unfeasible. Although the game’s Season 2 aims to introduce the Joker, excitement surrounding the release has essentially vanished.
Players have criticized the game for its unengaging plot, poor dialogue, monotonous objectives, dull gameplay, and uninspired open-world. However, the primary source of frustration lies in its live-service structure. This model is something Warner Bros. has previously committed to and, despite backlash, plans to continue applying to their key intellectual properties.
Plans for Warner Bros. gaming live-service
The head of gaming at Warner Bros. Discovery, J.B. Perrette, shared the company’s future trajectory at a Morgan Stanley event on March 4th. Unfortunately, the strategy could disappoint many as it involves a greater push towards live-service, mobile, and free-to-play offerings.
A Gamespot article revealed Perrette’s mention of Hogwarts Legacy’s impressive sales but acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the market. He used Suicide Squad Kill The Justice League as an example of underperformance and explained that their strategy moving forward is aimed at minimizing such uncertainty.
Warner Bros.’ approach to mitigating risk involves centering on established franchises and expanding their influence into the mobile sphere as well as embracing free-to-play models and live-service games. These games are designed to encourage ongoing player investment and stable revenue streams over extended periods.
Perrette pondered the creation of a game similar to Hogwarts Legacy or set in the Harry Potter universe that would offer a persistent, evolving live-service world for players to inhabit, work, and play in continuously.
The dialogue touched upon various Warner Bros. properties such as Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and DC. Though the foundational strategy is clear, Perrette foresees that the realization of returns may span into 2025, 2026, and 2027.
Upcoming games include Quidditch Champions, a new Harry Potter-themed online multiplayer, and a highly anticipated Wonder Woman title from Monolith Studios. As per an FAQ, Quidditch Champions will depend on an internet connection, whereas Wonder Woman is purportedly not a live-service game.
The assurance of Wonder Woman evading the live-service model might be a relief for some, but there are widespread concerns about Warner Bros. doubling down on such monetization strategies, especially after the Suicide Squad Kill The Justice League debacle. Fans appreciate Hogwarts Legacy’s solo gaming experience and worry that shifting to a live-service model would diminish the narrative quality while pushing unnecessary paid cosmetic upgrades.
The Mortal Kombat community is already vocal about their dissatisfaction with the direction of Mortal Kombat 11, and fans are anxious about the implications of a live-service model for a potential Game of Thrones title. Perrette’s admission to the uncertainty of the gaming industry’s future adds to the concern, especially when the live-service market is already saturated with numerous projects being abandoned and layoffs within the industry.
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