‘Hogwarts Legacy’, the latest addition to the Harry Potter franchise, has transcended traditional gaming boundaries by surpassing industry titans ‘Call of Duty’ and ‘GTA 5’ in terms of revenue in 2023.
Released with sky-high expectations, ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ managed to capture the hearts and imaginations of both Harry Potter fans and gamers alike. Its enchanting portrayal of the wizarding world, coupled with immersive gameplay, led to its unprecedented success. According to the report, ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ topped the charts in the United States, a key market in the global gaming industry, signifying a major achievement given the dominance of the ‘Call of Duty’ and ‘GTA’ series over the past decade and a half.
Circana, previously known as NPD, revealed that ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ emerged as the highest-grossing game in the U.S. for 2023. This incredible feat is underscored by the fact that it ended the 15-year reign of ‘Call of Duty’ and ‘GTA‘, with titles like ‘GTA IV’ and ‘GTA 5’ previously dominating the revenue charts.
The top 10 highest-earning games in the U.S. for 2023 were:
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
- Madden NFL 24
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Diablo IV
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Mortal Kombat 11
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- EA Sports FC 24
Interestingly, while ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ clinched the top spot in terms of revenue, ‘Call of Duty’ maintained its lead in unit sales, particularly bolstered by the release of ‘Modern Warfare 3‘ later in the year and the ongoing popularity of ‘Modern Warfare 2’.
‘Hogwarts Legacy’ represents more than just a successful game launch; it’s the beginning of what could be a goldmine for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. In a recent interview with Variety, David Haddad, president of the division, expressed pride not only in the game’s sales figures but in its ability to enchant fans and bring the Harry Potter world to life in a new way. The game sold 22 million units, with 2 million of those sales occurring during the holiday season.
This unprecedented success hints at Warner Bros.’ plans to further delve into the Harry Potter universe, with a Quidditch-themed game already in the pipeline, though its release date remains under wraps.
