Games

Hogwarts Legacy Breaks Records

The open world Harry Potter action-RPG makes history by ending a 14-year streak.
Hogwarts Legacy Breaks Records

Highlights

  • Hogwarts Legacy becomes the top-selling video game of 2023, breaking the long dominance of Call of Duty and Rockstar Games since 2008.
  • The game's wide appeal to both hardcore gamers and casual Harry Potter fans significantly contributes to its remarkable success.
  • The staggered release schedule and availability on multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, play a crucial role in boosting sales throughout the year.

Hogwarts Legacy has officially clinched the title of the best-selling new video game release of 2023, marking the first time in 14 years that a non-Call of Duty or Rockstar Games title has achieved this feat. Hogwarts Legacy garnered positive reviews and record-breaking sales upon its release last February, indicating its potential to claim the top-selling game of the year spot.

The anticipation and excitement surrounding Hogwarts Legacy exceeded all expectations. An open world game set at Hogwarts is a dream come true for many, and the Harry Potter theme ensured its appeal to a broader audience beyond hardcore gamers. By capturing the interest of both devoted gamers and casual Harry Potter enthusiasts, Hogwarts Legacy surpassed Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to become the best-selling game of 2023.

These findings are based on data shared by Mat Piscatella, revealing the top 10 best-selling video games of 2023. Following Hogwarts Legacy were Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Madden NFL 24, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Diablo 4, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Mortal Kombat 1, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and EA Sports FC 24. Since 2009, Call of Duty or Rockstar titles have dominated each year, with the exceptions of 2013 when Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto 5 and 2018 when Red Dead Redemption 2 was launched.

Best-Selling Games of 2023 List

Besides the immense anticipation and the vast Harry Potter fanbase it attracted, there are other factors that contributed to Hogwarts Legacy claiming the top spot as the best-selling game of 2023. Firstly, it launched early in the year, giving it a longer presence in the market compared to Modern Warfare 3. Additionally, Hogwarts Legacy was accessible on the Nintendo Switch, while Modern Warfare 3 was limited to PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles.

The staggered release schedule of Hogwarts Legacy likely played a significant role in boosting its sales throughout the year. It initially debuted for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, with PS4 and Xbox One versions released a few months later. Subsequently, Hogwarts Legacy made its way to the Nintendo Switch in November, ensuring that this immensely popular game was readily available on the third-best selling video game console just in time for the major holiday shopping season.

Hogwarts Legacy is expected to continue its strong sales in 2024, although its presence in the top 10 best-selling games of the year, as Modern Warfare 2 achieved in 2023, remains to be seen. Meanwhile, fans can look forward to numerous forthcoming Harry Potter games from WB in the future.

Tags:
Share:
Recent News