Warner Bros. Games has confirmed that Hogwarts Legacy, the highly anticipated action role-playing game, has had a strong start despite the controversy surrounding the author, JK Rowling. The game’s unit sales numbers have not yet been disclosed, but the company has shared impressive statistics regarding the players’ engagement with the game.

According to David Haddad, WB Games President, the player engagement with Hogwarts Legacy has been “spectacular” since its launch in February. The company confirmed that players have collectively spent 267 million hours in the game, grown 393 million plants, brewed 242 million potions, and defeated 1.25 billion Dark Wizards.

In addition to these impressive engagement stats, Hogwarts Legacy has also achieved significant success on Twitch and Steam. As of February 23, it remains Steam’s top-selling game, and it is near the top of the Xbox best-seller charts.

However, the game has also been the subject of controversy and debate due to JK Rowling’s comments. Despite this, Haddad remains optimistic about the game’s future and has hinted at other platform launches. The game is set to release on PS4/Xbox One in April and then Switch in July.

Developed by Avalanche Software, Hogwarts Legacy takes players back to Hogwarts in the 1890s. Players can explore the castle, learn spells, and venture beyond the castle walls. However, the developer has said that it currently has no plans for DLC, dashing hopes for a Quidditch expansion.

While the controversy surrounding the game continues to be a topic of discussion, players have shown strong engagement with Hogwarts Legacy, and WB Games remains hopeful for the game’s future success.

After a long wait, a new addition to the Doom franchise has finally been announced, but with a twist. This time around, the game will be exclusive to mobile devices, and it goes by the name “Mighty Doom.” The game features a “Mini Slayer” who runs and guns his way through waves of demons as you direct his rage using your fingers.

As you progress through the game, you’ll encounter iconic levels, challenging bosses, and adorably violent demons, all while leveling up, unlocking powerful skills, and upgrading your arsenal. The Mini Slayer has a cuter design compared to his mainline counterpart, and his unquenchable thirst for violence stems from demon dolls stealing his beloved pet rabbit, Daisy.

Mighty Doom has a roguelite design, meaning you’ll die often and need to grind your way through hordes of hell while steadily growing more powerful. Developed by Nova Scotia studio Alpha Dog Games, the game is set to release on March 21.

Interestingly, this mobile game release featuring a beloved character running through dangerous locations and defeating enemies is the second of its kind in recent times, with Tomb Raider Reloaded also now available for Netflix subscribers.

Although the Doom franchise has been dormant since last year’s major 6.66 update, which added new features and accessibility options, fans of the series can look forward to more stories set in that universe in the future, with Id Software at the helm.

We’ve now signed a binding 10-year contract to bring Xbox games to Nintendo’s gamers. This is just part of our commitment to bring Xbox games and Activision titles like Call of Duty to more players on more platforms. pic.twitter.com/JmO0hzw1BO

— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) February 21, 2023

Microsoft has announced a 10-year deal with Nintendo, bringing Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms on the same day as Xbox. The deal will provide full feature and content parity on Nintendo systems if Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is approved. Microsoft has reassured gamers that it is committed to providing long-term equal access to Call of Duty on other gaming platforms, which will bring more competition to the gaming market.

This agreement comes at a critical time for Microsoft, which is due to appear in the European Commission court this week to defend itself against antitrust allegations. The commitment to bring Xbox games and Activision titles like Call of Duty to more players on more platforms is seen as a remedy to these concerns. However, in the UK, regulators have proposed that Microsoft drops Activision and the Call of Duty series from its acquisition plan, while the FTC has sued Microsoft in the US to block the deal. The EU body is expected to make its final decision in April.

Embracer Group has officially announced that Valheim, the popular Norse mythology game, will be arriving on Xbox Game Pass in March. During IGN’s Fan Fest 2023 event, Iron Gate, the developer behind the game, confirmed that Valheim will launch on March 14 for Xbox Game Pass, and will be fully cross-play compatible with the Steam version.

While Valheim has not been announced for PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch, it remains one of the hundreds of games currently in development by Embracer, which includes 31 AAA games set to launch before 2026.

Embracer has also confirmed that it will be releasing five new Lord of the Rings games in the next two years, as it continues to expand its gaming portfolio.