Warner Bros. Reshapes Its Future: Doubles Down on 4 Major Franchises

Warner Bros. Games is making a bold move to refocus its efforts. The company revealed a major overhaul, centering its game development on four powerhouse franchises: Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Mortal Kombat, and the DC Universe. This shift aims to streamline operations and capitalize on these globally recognized brands.

According to industry sources, Warner Bros. Games has restructured its leadership to support this new direction. Yves Lachance, previously head of Warner Bros. Games Montréal, is now senior vice president of development, overseeing projects tied to Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. Shaun Himmerick, from NetherRealm Studios, takes on a similar senior VP role, leading work on Mortal Kombat and DC Universe titles.

Steven Flenory, based in the New York studio, steps up as senior vice president of central tech and services, managing game technology, publishing tools, customer support, and quality assurance. All three report to J.B. Perrette, CEO of global streaming and games at Warner Bros. Discovery, who now oversees the entire gaming division, including publishing.

This restructuring follows a challenging period for the company. In its first-quarter financial report, Warner Bros. disclosed a 48% drop in gaming revenue and a 66% reduction in gaming expenses compared to the previous year. The decline was largely due to the poor performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which reportedly cost the company $200 million. Other titles, like MultiVersus and Quidditch Champions, also underperformed, adding an estimated $100 million in losses.

Earlier this year, Warner Bros. canceled its Wonder Woman game and closed Monolith, the studio behind Shadow of Mordor. Notably, the recent changes did not involve layoffs or executive departures. The reshuffle comes after David Haddad, former head of Warner Bros. Games, left in January, and it’s unclear if a permanent replacement is being sought.

The gaming division’s new focus aligns with broader changes at Warner Bros. Discovery. On June 9, the company announced it will split into two entities by mid-2026: WBD Streaming & Studios, led by CEO David Zaslav, and WBD Global Networks, managed by CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels.

The games division will operate under the streaming and studios segment. This franchise-focused strategy mirrors Warner Bros.’ approach in its film and TV divisions, where major brands drive long-term planning.

“We are very fortunate to have a strong stable of development and technology talent,” said J.B. Perrette. “Yves, Shaun, and Steven are respected leaders with excellent track records in their areas of expertise. I’m looking forward to working closely with them and the team as we work to make the best games possible for our key franchises.”

By doubling down on Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Mortal Kombat, and DC Universe, Warner Bros. Games is betting big on these iconic worlds to rebuild momentum and connect with fans.

This pivot to focus on four major franchises makes sense for Warner Bros. Games, especially after recent financial setbacks. By leaning into proven, popular brands, the company is playing to its strengths, but it’s a risky move. Narrowing their scope could limit creativity and leave less room for new ideas.

Still, with strong leadership and iconic properties, they have a solid shot at turning things around. What do you think about Warner Bros. Games’ new strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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