Hogwarts Legacy has broken sales records and emerged as the top-selling game of 2023 by a considerable distance. This achievement seems almost inevitable, given the widespread popularity of its source material. Even with Warner Bros. making some controversial remarks about shifting focus from single-player experiences to live services, Hogwarts Legacy has thrived, possibly due to its single-player nature.
This doesn’t imply that the opportunity for multiplayer features in the Hogwarts Legacy series has passed. If Warner Bros. is indeed considering a live-service approach for increased revenue and sustainability, it would be logical, for better or worse, to incorporate online elements in a future installment. When Hogwarts Legacy 2 eventually releases, it’s likely to be a commercial success, regardless of its quality. However, if multiplayer is poorly executed, it could undermine the strengths that the first game established. Therefore, a more careful approach might be necessary.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Can Look to Animal Crossing for Subtle Multiplayer Features
Animal Crossing’s Dream Islands System Could Work for Hogwarts Legacy 2’s Room of Requirement
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, while players are sleeping, they may encounter Luna, a mystical being. This encounter grants access to Dream Islands, which are digital versions of other players’ islands that can be explored without any need for direct interaction with the hosts or adding them to a friend list. Players have the option to look for specific islands using a Dream Address or to be whisked away to a random one. However, while on a Dream Island, players cannot engage with the island’s owner or modify its layout or items.
It’s easy to envision a version of this in Hogwarts Legacy, especially when it comes to the Room of Requirement. This space adds a delightful “cozy game” vibe to the experience, serving as a hub for creativity, customization, and gathering resources through fun activities like potion-making and gardening. However, a downside is that players can’t share their hard-earned creations with others, unlike in cozy games such as Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley, where players can showcase their unique worlds through cooperative play.
Imagine if players had the chance to explore each other’s Rooms of Requirement in Hogwarts Legacy 2; it would truly enhance the personalization experience. Perhaps the game could introduce a guest book feature, where players can jot down brief reviews of the Rooms they explore. By incorporating a system similar to Animal Crossing’s Dream Islands, the experience would feel more seamless and immersive, as players would simply be visiting fixed versions of their friends’ unique spaces without direct interaction.
The Potential Downside of Hogwarts Legacy 2 Adopting a ‘Dream Islands’ System
Honestly, if Warner Bros. is gearing up to dive into more live-service projects, it’s not necessarily because they think gamers are craving these experiences. Instead, Warner Bros. and other big publishers are chasing the financial success seen with games like Fortnite. While player satisfaction is important for making money, it’s really just a step towards their ultimate goal.
If Hogwarts Legacy 2 decides to introduce multiplayer features, it’s likely that some form of monetization will be involved. This could manifest in the proposed Dream Island system or any feature related to visiting Rooms of Requirement through the sale of paid cosmetics. Exclusive furniture and decor might be available in an in-game shop, tapping into players’ fears of missing out and feelings of inadequacy. Many players would strive for the “ultimate” Room of Requirement, making it easy to encourage microtransactions to achieve that dream. Other Rooms of Requirement adorned with premium items could serve as free promotion for these in-game purchases, leading to a potentially exploitative monetization strategy.