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Can Other Game Studios License Warner Bros. IPs Like Harry Potter and Batman?

Warner Bros. Games has worked with external developers on Batman and Harry Potter projects, but public announcements do not establish an open licensing program or disclose deal terms.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Yes, Warner Bros. Games works with outside studios on games based on its properties. Its official description includes licensing and third-party game titles, and announcements name external developers on Batman and Harry Potter projects. But those examples do not mean studios can freely claim a franchise: each project depends on its own agreement, and no public application process or standard licensing terms are established in the cited materials.

What “licensed to another studio” can mean

A game can involve several organizations in different roles. The developer makes the game or a particular version of it; the publisher handles its release; and an IP agreement governs the use of characters, settings, and other protected material. One company may fill more than one role, or the roles may be split.

Warner Bros. Games describes its business as publisher, developer, licensor, and distributor of interactive entertainment, including both internal and third-party titles. That supports the general answer that it works with external parties. It does not, by itself, show that every franchise is available for licensing or explain how a studio can apply. Warner Bros. Games

Examples of outside studios working on Warner Bros. games

Game or project Outside studio’s role Warner Bros. Games’ role What the example establishes
Batman: Arkham Trilogy for Nintendo Switch Turn Me Up Games developed the Switch compilation; Rocksteady Studios developed the original games. Publisher. External development on a Batman game, specifically a compilation/port. It does not establish that Turn Me Up acquired Batman rights or published the game independently. Official announcement
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Unbroken Studios developed the game. Publisher. An outside studio developed a Harry Potter game while Warner Bros. Games published it. The announcement does not disclose the agreement’s terms. Official announcement
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Niantic and WB Games described the game as co-developed and co-published. Co-developer and co-publisher under the Portkey Games label. A further example of a joint arrangement, not proof of a broad or open licensing policy. 2019 launch announcement
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight TT Games is the developer. Publisher. An announced Batman project made by an outside studio. The 2025 announcement planned a 2026 release. Official announcement

Why a named developer does not prove it owns the franchise rights

These announcements identify project roles, not the underlying contract. They do not state the deal’s economics, duration, territory, exclusivity, approval rights, or whether a particular studio could use the property for another game. A developer credit therefore should not be read as evidence that the studio owns or independently controls the IP.

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#1 Best Overall
Hogwarts Legacy - Nintendo Switch
  • EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD. The wizarding world awaits you. Freely roam Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area.
  • BE THE WITCH OR WIZARD YOU WANT TO BE. Learn spells, brew potions, grow plants, and tend to magical beasts along your journey. Get sorted into your house, forge relationships, and master skills to become the witch or wizard you want to be.
  • EXPERIENCE A NEW WIZARDING WORLD ADVENTURE. Experience the wizarding world in an unexplored era to uncover a hidden truth from its past. Battle against trolls, Dark Wizards, goblins, and more as you face a dangerous villain threatening the fate of the wizarding world.

The examples also are not all the same kind of work: the Switch Arkham Trilogy is a compilation of existing games for another platform, while Quidditch Champions and Wizards Unite are distinct Harry Potter game projects. “Outside studio” can describe development support, a publisher-developer partnership, or another project-specific arrangement; the public announcements do not reveal the full legal structure in each case.

Practical detail: buying the Switch Arkham Trilogy

The outside-studio example has a relevant physical-edition caveat. Warner Bros. Games says the Switch cartridge contains Batman: Arkham Asylum; Arkham City and Arkham Knight require an internet connection to download and install. The announced package includes the original games and their previously released DLC. Check the listing and current retailer details before buying, since current stock and price are not established here. WB Games launch announcement WB Games FAQ

Rank #2
LEGO Harry Potter Collection (Nintendo Switch)
  • LEGO Harry Potter Collection brings LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 to Nintendo Switch for the first time with both top-selling videogames remastered on one disc. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 is based on the first four books and films-Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -allowing fans to experience Harry's first four years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in full LEGO form. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 transports players through the final three books and final four films-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-to experience Harry's last years at Hogwarts and his battle against Lord Voldemort in the ultimate fight between good and evil. This action-packed adventure also offers two previously released DLC packs, including a Character Pack featuring Godric Gryffindor, Harry (Yule Ball), Helga Hufflepuff, Lockhart (Straightjacket), Luna (Lion Head), Peeves, Hermione (Pink Dress), Ron Weasley (Ghoul), Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin, as well as a Spell Pack featuring Cantis, Densaugeo, Ducklifors, Melofors and Tentaclifors

What is not publicly established

  • A blanket program that lets any studio license Warner Bros. game properties.
  • A current list of which specific franchises are available for outside game development.
  • A public submission or application channel for studios.
  • Standard deal terms or the terms of the cited project agreements.

Hasbro’s announced multi-year Harry Potter partnership is a consumer-products licensing agreement, with the arrangement due to start in 2027 and Hasbro named global master toy licensee. It is not evidence that Hasbro has licensed Harry Potter video-game rights. Hasbro announcement

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Who owns Warner Bros. Games now?

Ownership is time-sensitive. The Associated Press reported on October 6, 2026, that Skydance-owned Paramount had closed its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, and included Warner Bros. Games among the combined portfolio’s video-game businesses. This is the ownership position reported as of that date; later coverage should verify whether it has changed. Associated Press report

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 4
Warner Games Video Game for Switch Hogwarts Legacy: The Legacy of Hogwarts
Warner Games Video Game for Switch Hogwarts Legacy: The Legacy of Hogwarts
Video game for Switch from the brand Warner Games; Color: Multicolor; Dimensions: 10.5 x 16.8 x 1.2 cm
$43.69
Bestseller No. 5
Best Value
Hogwarts Legacy
  • Explore an Open World - The wizarding world awaits you. Freely roam Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area
  • Be the Witch or Wizard You Want to be - Learn spells, brew potions, grow plants, and tend to magical beasts along your journey. Get sorted into your house, forge relationships, and master skills to become the witch or wizard you want to be
  • Experience a New Wizarding World Adventure - Experience the wizarding world in an unexplored era to uncover a hidden truth from its past. Battle against trolls, Dark Wizards, goblins, and more as you face a dangerous villain threatening the fate of the wizarding world
Rank #4
Warner Games Video Game for Switch Hogwarts Legacy: The Legacy of Hogwarts
  • Video game for Switch from the brand Warner Games
  • Color: Multicolor
  • Dimensions: 10.5 x 16.8 x 1.2 cm
  • Reference: S7830090
  • If what you want is quality at the best price do not keep looking!
Rank #3
Hogwarts Legacy - PlayStation 5
  • EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD. The wizarding world awaits you. Freely roam Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area.
  • BE THE WITCH OR WIZARD YOU WANT TO BE. Learn spells, brew potions, grow plants, and tend to magical beasts along your journey. Get sorted into your house, forge relationships, and master skills to become the witch or wizard you want to be.
  • EXPERIENCE A NEW WIZARDING WORLD ADVENTURE. Experience the wizarding world in an unexplored era to uncover a hidden truth from its past. Battle against trolls, Dark Wizards, goblins, and more as you face a dangerous villain threatening the fate of the wizarding world.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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