David Haddad, the president of Warner Bros. Games, is stepping down after the underwhelming release of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. This decision follows the game’s rocky debut, which did not resonate well with fans of the genre. Launched in 2024, the game struggled to maintain a consistent player base, receiving mixed reviews particularly aimed at its gameplay mechanics and live service features.
Warner Bros. Games hasn’t been having the best year in terms of fan reception. Besides the bumpy ride with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, their free-to-play fighting game MultiVersus also didn’t hit the mark, with players criticizing its monetization strategies and absence of offline options. Perhaps the most notable success they’ve seen was Hogwarts Legacy in late 2023, but even that momentum didn’t carry forward to Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. Released in September 2024, this game disappointed many due to subpar graphics and repetitive play.
In a statement to Variety, it was revealed that David Haddad would leave his role after dedicating 12 years to the company. Reflecting on his time at WB Games, Haddad expressed his pride in their accomplishments, saying, “It’s been such an honor to work on these iconic franchises. I’m thrilled for the talented team and what they’ll achieve next.” Although he’s leaving, Haddad will continue to oversee operations for the next three months until a successor is appointed. During a financial meeting, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav acknowledged the company’s recent struggles but indicated that their future focus will be on a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy and other DC titles.
The surprise surrounding Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s launch can be attributed to its developer, Rocksteady, known for the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series. However, this game didn’t quite meet expectations, leading to layoffs at Rocksteady and a significant financial hit for Warner Bros., which reported a $200 million loss. This, combined with a 41% drop in year-over-year revenue by May 2024, reflected the game’s poor market performance.
Looking ahead, the future of WB Games is somewhat murky. However, anticipation is building for the Hogwarts Legacy sequel, which many hope will restore consumer confidence and bring in revenue. Additionally, excitement is brewing for the upcoming Wonder Woman game. Unfortunately, fans might need to hold their horses as it’s rumored not to release before 2026 due to development starting later than anticipated.
