We know that Hogwarts Legacy is shaping up to be one of the best-selling games of 2023 (if not the number one best-selling outright), and it’s already notching new records in Europe. As spotted by GamesIndustry.biz, Hogwarts Legacy has already become the fastest-selling non-FIFA game in Europe since the creation of the charts in 2017.
That makes it the sixth-biggest launch for a video game in the past six years in Europe, ahead of massive hits like Elden Ring, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s already the fifth-best selling game of the past 12 months in Europe, behind FIFA 23, Modern Warfare 2, Grand Theft Auto V, and Elden Ring.
Hogwarts Legacy’s runaway success comes at a soft time for video game sales in Europe, which are down 10% compared to February 2022. Industry observers cited the fewer major releases of February 2023 as a major reason for this downturn, as that period in 2022 had several major games, including Elden Ring and Horizon: Forbidden West. In other news, the European data showed that PS5 sales have skyrocketed in recent weeks, outselling both the Switch and Xbox consoles in February.
Hogwarts Legacy is developed by Avalanche Software, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The game has been embroiled in controversy due to transphobic remarks from Harry Potter author JK Rowling. Although she is not personally involved with its development, she stands to profit from its success. For more, read our in-depth article on how Rowling’s comments have impacted the trans community. In this article, you will also find links to trans creators you can support, as well as charities you can donate to.
