
New Insights on Hogwarts Legacy 2: No Live Service Model
Recent discussions suggest that Hogwarts Legacy 2 will not adopt a live service model, contrary to some expectations. Jason Schreier elaborated on this during a recent episode of Kinda Funny Gamescast, where he provided insights into the company’s direction regarding video game development.
Executive Opinions on Games as a Service
Schreier pointed out a prevailing trend among gaming executives, notably figures like Zaslav and JB Perrette, who have emphasized a shift toward games as a service. However, he clarified that this notion has been around longer than recent executive conversations suggest. He argued:
A lot of people have talked about how in recent years people like Zaslav and JB Perrette are talking all about games as a service, but the games as a service mandate started long before that. This is more executives just saying what shareholders want to hear, because if you look at their current slate of games, they’re not games as a service. Hogwarts Legacy 2 is not going to be a game as a service, the new Batman from Rocksteady is not going to be a game as a service, and even Wonder Woman wasn’t going to be a game as a service. This is not a company that is going all in on games as a service. They’re going all in on those big franchises.
Potential for Multiplayer Elements
Despite the decision against a live service model, there remains optimism among executives regarding multiplayer experiences within the Hogwarts universe. Schreier mentioned conversations with developers who envision a scenario where players can interact as friends, enjoying an immersive wizarding experience together:
I think they still believe that there’s room for success. I’ve talked to executives there who envision a world where you would be playing in Hogwarts with your friends and you go hang out with your buddies, you’re all wizards together and taking classes together. They have these kind of fantasies in their heads about games as a service that might work. It’s just that these particular projects that are currently in development – I’m sure they have a game of service at some point somewhere, but those are not them.
Shifting Plans for Hogwarts Legacy
This revelation marks a significant shift from the earlier ambitions expressed by JB Perrette, who indicated that the goal was to create a persistent, evolving world for players. Just last year, he articulated an interest in establishing a live service model that would allow players to continuously build and engage within the Hogwarts Legacy universe:
Rather than just launching a one-and-done console game, how do develop a game around, for example, Hogwarts Legacy that is a live service where people can live and build and play in that world on an ongoing basis?
Future Projects and Surprises
It appears that the creative direction of Avalanche Software regarding Hogwarts Legacy 2 veered away from the live service concept, putting a hold on the publisher’s aspirations for such a format within the Harry Potter franchise.
Additionally, Schreier confirmed that a Hogwarts Legacy Definitive Edition is in development, featuring new downloadable content (DLC).However, it remains unclear whether this new content will be exclusive to the definitive edition or if it will also be available for purchase separately by current owners of the game.
Modding Support for Existing Players
For those eager for more content in Hogwarts Legacy, new modding tools and support were released in late January for PC, providing a way for players to enhance their experience.
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