Warner Bros. has officially canceled the planned expansion for their hit game Hogwarts Legacy, citing concerns that the additional content wasn’t substantial enough to justify its intended price tag. Instead of releasing what might have been seen as an underwhelming DLC, the company has shifted its focus toward developing a full sequel.
Hogwarts Legacy, an open-world action RPG set in the Harry Potter universe during the late 1800s, became one of 2023’s biggest commercial successes.
The game allowed players to experience life as a student at the famed wizarding school long before the events of the books or films, complete with spell-casting, potion-making, and magical creature interactions.
According to industry insiders, development on the sequel reportedly began shortly after the original game’s successful launch. The new title is currently targeting a 2026 release date, giving developers at Portkey Games ample time to build on the foundation laid by the first game.
The cancellation reflects a growing trend where publishers increasingly favor full sequels over expansions or DLC. Sequels typically generate more revenue and excitement than add-on content, especially for single-player experiences like Hogwarts Legacy where player engagement naturally declines after completion of the main story.
Resources originally allocated for the expansion are reportedly being redirected to the sequel’s development, with a focus on new features and significant engine upgrades.
This approach will likely allow developers to address some of the criticisms of the original game, which, despite its commercial success, received mixed reviews regarding certain gameplay elements and storytelling aspects.
