Is *Hogwarts Legacy 2* on the way? The first trailer may arrive this year

When it comes to this kind of academy fantasy genre, people like me who grew up playing Chinese xianxia games always carry a somewhat complicated feeling. Back when we were young, what we saw in The Legend of Sword and Fairy was fate and the jianghu; now, when we look at Hogwarts Legacy, what we see is a different kind of exotic school legend. The genres are different, yet the flavor feels somewhat similar—both capture that sense of a young person stepping into a new world, a feeling that is at once unfamiliar and deeply stirring.

First, on the factual side, Hogwarts Legacy has enjoyed strong word of mouth and popularity since its 2023 release, which has made a sequel feel like only a matter of time. What is truly worth paying attention to now is Avalanche Software’s recent personnel changes and hiring activity, which are slowly shifting the question from “Will there be a 2?” to “When will it be revealed?” According to blogger @XpectoGO and multiple foreign media outlets, several changes at the studio suggest that development on Hogwarts Legacy 2 may be moving faster than outsiders expected, and that the marketing phase is already close to beginning.

Among the developments players have analyzed the most is the arrival of new community manager Cody. Some leaks suggest that positions like this usually are not expanded while a project is still being kept tightly under wraps; they are typically filled when a game is preparing to move from behind the scenes into the spotlight. This interpretation has some value as a reference point because the previous game’s last community manager joined at the end of 2021, and Sony soon held a dedicated showcase for the game in March 2022—a pace that does not feel unfamiliar.

Returning to the game itself, another sign is that “Avalanche Software is hiring a Capture Artist,” whose main responsibility is to produce cinematic-quality gameplay footage for trailers and social media. When a position like this appears, it usually means the team is no longer simply focused on building content, but has begun preparing for how to present it. In other words, if everything goes smoothly, seeing the first gameplay trailer for Hogwarts Legacy 2 this year is not just baseless speculation.

Beyond sentiment, Warner’s overall schedule also matters. J.B. Perrette, CEO of streaming and games at Warner Bros. Discovery, previously mentioned that the company will focus its efforts on core IP between 2027 and 2028; meanwhile, HBO’s live-action Harry Potter series has already been set to premiere in 2026. The article also mentions a rumor claiming that Hogwarts Legacy 2 may have deeper ties with the series. If that thread proves true, then a 2027 release for the game would feel like the kind of foreshadowing planted long in advance in a wuxia novel—something that naturally comes together when the time is right.

But looking at it calmly, everything still remains at the level of signs and speculation, and it is not yet time to pop the champagne early. Personnel shifts, job listings, and company strategy—taken together, these clues do form a fairly convincing map, but the official side has yet to truly show its hand. For players, the best attitude is still to stay hopeful, but not let rumors lead you by the nose. That is especially true for claims like “deep integration with the series”: they sound tempting, but they are also the easiest kind to trigger excessive imagination.

If you still have not played the first game, then Hogwarts Legacy could be a good choice to catch up. The article’s closing note lists the PC version at ¥384.00, with a post-coupon price of ¥364.00. That is not especially cheap for those still on the fence, but if you are already a fan of the Harry Potter universe, or if you enjoy open-area exploration and the immersive feel of school life, it is still worth trying. One can only hope the sequel will not simply repaint the successful template of the original. It should not follow the example of certain underperforming studios that start lazily selling nostalgia just because the IP is famous; if they are really going to make a 2, then they ought to push the depth, interactivity, and character development of the wizarding world a major step further.