Part 5/10:
During a recent Morgan Stanley event, Warner Brothers Discovery’s gaming boss, JB Paret, articulated this new focus: shifting away from traditional AAA titles toward live service, mobile, and free-to-play games. Paret emphasized the capabilities of Warner Brothers as both a publisher and developer, aiming to develop ongoing experiences around beloved IPs like Harry Potter, where players can “live, work, build, and play” in the universe on a continuous basis.
This strategy suggests a belief that ongoing engagement and monetization through live services could surpass initial sales success. However, critics argue that this is a dangerous lesson, especially considering the contrasting results of Warner Brothers’ recent releases.