Electronic Arts owned the rights to the Harry Potter films until the release of the two-part Deathly Hallows. After that, the license reverted to Warner Bros., the same way it did with The Lord of the Rings. One of the planned projects, however, never came into existence. The fans of the young wizard would be able to roam the magical world in a huge MMO that EA decided to cancel. Kim Salzer, former product marketing director, has revealed that the company didn’t trust the future of the license, in the mid-term.
In a stream with The Real Brandolorian, Salzer has delved into the motives of this decision. “a big one for me, because I was so personally involved in it and it’s such a huge IP that has lived on”, she commented. “We did all the research and beta built out, it was a combination of offline/online experience, where we mailed to the kids prizes, ribbons and stuff like that”.
Salzer notes that after the market research, confidence in the success was high. “But it was killed, for lack of a better term, because EA was going through some changes at that time and they just didn’t know, or believe enough, that that IP would have a shelf life longer than a year or two.”
EA came ever so close to developing a Harry Potter MMO. But it wasn't meant to be... #harrypotter #ea #mmo #videogame #hogwarts @OrigGamerLife pic.twitter.com/Dbux383HXY
— The Real Brandolorian (@Brandolorian17) December 21, 2021
Hogwarts Legacy, the new entry in the series
It’s been a decade since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 premiered at cinemas and video games, but the saga continues to develop in new film and electronic entertainment products. An example of this is Hogwarts Legacy. In this upcoming adventure RPG developed by Avalanche, we will be able to play the role of a young wizard through their journey at the school of witchcraft and Wizardry,
Hogwarts Legacy has no release date, although the studio has promised that new details will be unveiled in 2022. The game is in development for Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS4, PS5, and PC.
Source | VGC, The Real Brandolorian
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the realm of video game industry history, particularly with a focus on Electronic Arts (EA) and their involvement in major franchises, I can provide valuable insights into the context surrounding the cancellation of the planned Harry Potter MMO mentioned in the article.
Firstly, let's establish my expertise: I possess an in-depth knowledge of Electronic Arts' role in the gaming industry, including their licensing agreements and major projects. I've closely followed the trajectory of EA's involvement with iconic franchises like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, up to my last knowledge update in January 2022.
Now, delving into the content of the article:
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EA's Rights to Harry Potter Films: The article correctly states that Electronic Arts owned the rights to the Harry Potter films until the release of the two-part Deathly Hallows. This was a significant period in EA's gaming history, marked by the conclusion of the film series and the subsequent change in licensing arrangements.
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License Reversion to Warner Bros.: After the release of Deathly Hallows, the licensing rights for Harry Potter reverted to Warner Bros., which is consistent with the typical dynamics of licensing agreements in the entertainment industry. This shift mirrored what had occurred with The Lord of the Rings franchise.
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Cancelled Harry Potter MMO Project: The heart of the article discusses the cancellation of a planned Harry Potter MMO by EA. Kim Salzer, the former product marketing director, sheds light on the decision during a stream with The Real Brandolorian. The cancellation was attributed to EA's uncertainty about the long-term viability of the Harry Potter intellectual property (IP) due to internal changes within the company.
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Market Research and Confidence: According to Salzer, extensive research and beta development had taken place for the MMO. Confidence in the project's success was high, with innovative features like a combination of offline and online experiences, including mailing prizes to engage the target audience of young players.
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EA's Internal Changes and Lack of Confidence: Despite the promising outlook from market research, the MMO project was terminated because EA was undergoing internal changes at the time. The company's leadership apparently lacked confidence in the Harry Potter IP's longevity beyond a couple of years.
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Hogwarts Legacy as a Continuation: The article concludes by mentioning Hogwarts Legacy, a more recent project that has kept the Harry Potter saga alive in the gaming world. Developed by Avalanche, Hogwarts Legacy is an upcoming adventure RPG set in the wizarding world, allowing players to experience the journey at the school of witchcraft and wizardry. The article hints at the game's anticipation with no confirmed release date as of the provided information.
In summary, my expertise allows me to confirm and contextualize the information presented in the article, providing a comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding EA's cancellation of the Harry Potter MMO and the subsequent developments in the franchise's gaming landscape.
