When a series of rumors began making the rounds that AT&T might be looking to sell of Warner Bros. gaming division to settle its debt, rampant speculation went wild across the internet as to who would buy the different studios that makeupWB Gamesand what this meant for the next generation of games. After all,WB Gamesis far bigger than most people think with eleven developers under the WB Games Banner across AAA video games, mobile games, and support teams.
For the time being,AT&T has squashed the rumors, and despite receiving interest from the likes of Microsoft and EA, WB Games looks to be staying put. Naturally, all of this speculation brings about a much larger question about the state of WB Games and its plans moving forward. With DC FanDome less than a week away and big-name games yet to be announced, the future of Warner Bros. Games appears to be doubling down on licensed properties including DC Comics and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
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Batman: Gotham Knights
Perhaps the biggest upcoming game to come out of WB Games is its currently unannouncedBatmangame, which may or may not continue the story of theBatman Arkhamseries. Late last week, Warner Bros. released the full schedule for DC FanDome, its 24-hour all-digital event taking place this weekend. As part of the schedule reveal, WB Games Montreal finally confirmed that it will be revealing itsbrand new game at DC FanDome in a 20-minute presentationwhich includes a Q&A session at the end. For those that aren’t familiar, WB Games Montreal previously releasedBatman: Arkham Originsin 2013 and supported Rocksteady Studios with DLC forBatman: Arkham Knight;however, the team has been quiet for quite a few years.
According to multiple rumors over the last couple of years, WB Games Montreal has been working on a newBatmangame since 2016 that is believed to be a soft-reboot and will be the first game in a brand newDC Games connected universethat includes the next game from Rocksteady. Going by the monikerGotham Knights, the new game is said to feature the entire “Bat-Family” all as playable characters and will have players facing off against the infamous Court of Owls as the central villain. WB Games Montreal is in a good position right now to move away fromBatman Arkhamand set up its own new series of games, which accompanied with Rocksteady Studios and hopefully some additional teams, could create an incredible shared world around DC comics.
Suicide Squad
It’s been five years since the release ofBatman: Arkham Knightand fans have been eager to learn more about what Rocksteady Studios would be working on next. There was a time where it felt like a new rumor would make the rounds every few months with claims that Rocksteady was developing a newBatmangame starring Damian Wayne, then it was aSuicide Squadgame, followed by aSupermangame, and even aBatman Beyondgame at one point. But all of that speculation can finally end as Rocksteady has confirmedits new game is, in fact,Suicide Squad, and it will be officially unveiled in full during DC FanDome.
While the only thing known about Rocksteady’s new game is that it’s calledSuicide Squad, reports on the game have made some bold claims that paint a strong picture for where WB Games is heading over the next few years.Suicide Squadis said to be the second game in the DC Games connected universe followingGotham Knightsfrom WB Games Montreal and it will be a live-service game, similar to that ofMarvel’s AvengersorDestiny 2. Not in terms of loot but as an ever-evolving world, presumably with new characters and missions over time. While the DCEU film didn’t do the property any justice,Suicide Squadis a fascinating concept and with the right comics influences, Rocksteady could easily make this great.
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The Harry Potter RPG
Next toBatman: Gotham KnightsandSuicide Squad,the leakedHarry Potter RPGmight be one of the worst kept secrets of the industry. Rumored to be in development at Avalanche Software, theHarry Potter RPGwill be set over 100 years before the events of Harry Potter, featuring an original story, eight different wizard classes, multiple locations from the series including the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade, and an honor system that allows players to be good or evil. From what we’ve learnt about the game so far, this could finally be the properHarry Potter RPGplayers have been wanting for over a decade, and it’s bound to be a smash-hit for WB Games with years of support and sequels ahead if Avalanche Software is able to deliver on its premise.
These three games make up WB Games big tentpoles for the next few years, but it’s far from everything it has to offer.With eleven studios under its belt, WB Games also owns NetherRealm Studios, the developers ofMortal Kombat 11andInjustice 2, Monolith Productions, the developers ofMiddle-Earth: Shadow of MordorandShadow of War, and even TT Games, the developer behind the Lego games including the upcomingLego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. With a little bit more focus on AAA games and less on the mobile space, WB Games looks to have a lot to offer players on the next-generation of consoles, and it’s going to reveal a lot more this weekend at DC FanDome.
