Warner Bros. Might Start Licensing Its IPs to Other Gaming Companies.

The CEO of  Warner Bros. Discovery David Zaslav stated during a quarterly earning call that WB might start licensing out some of its biggest IPs to different developers to increase the video game offerings. Warner Bros holds the rights to some big franchises like Harry Potter, Looney Tunes, and DC, among other things. The availability of these properties to more gaming studios might be a good development for many fans.

Video games have become more expensive as the production cycles of games continue to become longer. Due to all that, many of the big studios are looking to outsource the development of their games. Doing so ensures that the investors as well as consumers stay interested in what is being offered.

David Zaslav also stated that WB games want to focus on free-to-play games while at the same time taking advantage of their diverse IPs. Zaslav also commented on the success of Hogwarts Legacy and stated that Warner Bros. will continue to utilize the in-house studios for the development of more games. At the same time, WB wants to assist others in increasing the value of its IPs. It seems like a suggestion that more developers will get access to make games based on the franchises of Warner Bros.

Even though there are no announcements regarding any upcoming outsourcing of games the discussion of this topic shows that WB is considering outsourcing of their IPs. Previously, the WB has outsourced their properties like DC Superhero Girls and the upcoming game Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports.

Warner Bros. is still In Gaming

If WB wants to expand and maximize the value of its IPs while also expanding its video game catalog, it makes sense to license out its franchises to avoid raising costs and a long production cycle. It remains to be seen whether WB is going to move ahead with it but there seems to be interest in doing so.

While many were thinking that WB is getting away from gaming, it seems like the executives are still confident in WB’s video games future. There are a lot of franchises in the WB’s portfolios, there is enough stuff for both in-house developers and licensing out some of it.