WB Games plans to double down on live service

Despite the unsatisfying reception from fans and critics, with even Warner Bros. admitting Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s failure, the media company is moving forward with its plan to focus mostly on the live service model. While the success of the single-player-focused Hogwarts Legacy was mentioned, it was followed up with the statement that the AAA console release market is “volatile.”

During a speech at a Morgan Stanley event (via IGN), Warner Bros. Discovery CEO and President of Streaming and Games J.B. Perrette touched on the sheer contrast between the two games, seeing it as proof that the market is “volatile” rather than a sign that people don’t want more live service games or half-baked projects. He also notes that it plans on expanding its big four franchises — Harry Potter, DC, Mortal Kombat, and Game of Thrones — into the free-to-play and mobile spaces. It’s anticipated that these entries will start coming out sometime between 2025 to 2027.

Perrette mentions the greatness of a live service game, how it can keep people for long periods of time, where players can “live and work and build and play in that world on an ongoing basis.”

On the lighter side, while many ragged on Suicide Squad, Brandon did see past its lackluster story and live service mechanics, believing the game could improve in time.