Warner Bros. Games restructuring Overhauls Leadership to Focus on Its Biggest Franchises
In a major restructuring move, Warner Bros. Games has announced a complete reorganization of its gaming division, realigning its focus around four powerhouse franchises: Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Mortal Kombat, and the DC Universe. This strategic pivot comes after several turbulent years marked by underwhelming game launches, significant financial losses, and studio closures.
Leadership Shake-Up at Warner Bros. Games
The restructuring includes significant leadership changes. Yves Lachance, head of WB Games Montréal (known for titles like Batman: Arkham Origins and Gotham Knights), has been promoted to SVP overseeing Harry Potter and Game of Thrones projects. Meanwhile, Shaun Himmerick, who has led Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm Studios, will now supervise both Mortal Kombat and DC Universe games. Lastly, Steven Flenory, head of WB Games New York, assumes a new SVP role responsible for game and publishing technology, QA, customer service, and user research.
These newly appointed SVPs will report directly to JB Perrette, CEO of Global Streaming and Games at Warner Bros. Games restructuring Discovery.
Core Franchise Focus After Heavy Losses
The sweeping changes are a direct response to WB Games’ $300 million losses in 2024, fueled by disappointing releases such as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus. In February 2025, Warner Bros. shut down three game studios and cancelled its highly anticipated Wonder Woman game being developed by Monolith Productions Warner Bros. Games restructuring.
“We have had to make some very difficult decisions to structure our development studios and investments around building the best games possible with our key franchises — Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC, and Game of Thrones,” WB Games said in a previous statement Warner Bros. Games restructuring.
WB Games Betting Big on Franchise Power
Warner Bros. Discovery’s recent decision reflects a growing trend among major gaming publishers to concentrate on proven IPs. With the success of titles like Hogwarts Legacy (released in February 2023), WB Games is doubling down on globally recognized franchises that have consistently attracted large audiences across multiple media platforms.
“Our company is home to some of the biggest franchises in the world, and we are optimizing our team structure to develop long-term franchise roadmaps to delight players and fans,” stated JB Perrette.
Recent Corporate Shake-Up at Warner Bros. Discovery
Beyond gaming, Warner Bros. Discovery is undergoing broader corporate restructuring. Earlier this month, the conglomerate announced a split into two separate media companies — Streaming & Studios and Global Networks — separating its film, television, streaming, gaming, and sports businesses.
These moves are designed to streamline operations and allow more focused growth in both entertainment content and interactive media, particularly as the gaming industry remains one of the fastest-growing segments of global entertainment.
Challenges Remain After Restructuring
Despite the optimism around its most valuable franchises, Warner Bros. Games still faces challenges. The cancellations, leadership exits, and layoffs of 2024 have left questions about the publisher’s long-term stability and creative direction. The departure of WB Interactive boss David Haddad earlier this year further signaled major changes at the highest levels of its gaming operations.
However, many industry analysts believe the new focused approach could stabilize WB Games financially while leveraging its strongest IPs for long-term growth, especially as gaming franchises become central to transmedia strategies that span movies, TV, and streaming platforms.
Upcoming WB Games Projects to Watch
- Harry Potter: Possible Hogwarts Legacy sequel or expansion content
- Game of Thrones: New interactive titles expected after earlier cancellations
- Mortal Kombat: Continued live-service content and next-gen titles
- DC Universe: Fresh projects beyond Suicide Squad to rebuild fan trust
External Source
Read the full report from Variety for additional industry insights.
Conclusion
Warner Bros. Games is making bold moves to secure its position in the highly competitive gaming industry by focusing on its most beloved franchises. While the road ahead may not be without obstacles, leveraging powerful brands like Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC, and Game of Thrones offers a promising roadmap for the gaming giant’s future.
Stay tuned for more updates on Warner Bros. Games’ new strategy in our Gaming Industry News 2025 section.
