By Sagar V. Mankar 
David Haddad, the president of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, is set to leave his position after 12 years of leading Warner Bros. Games. According to a report by Variety, Haddad will remain with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) for the next three months to help oversee the transition while the company searches for his replacement.
Haddad’s departure comes during a challenging period for Warner Bros. Games. Over the past year, the company faced setbacks, including the underwhelming performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and the disappointing reception of MultiVersus. These failures resulted in a significant financial impact, with Suicide Squad contributing to a $200 million loss and MultiVersus adding another $100 million. Additionally, the company’s sole third-quarter release in 2024, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, failed to make a significant impression.
In a recent financial call, WBD CEO David Zaslav acknowledged the struggles of the gaming division, stating, “We recognize that the games business is substantially underperforming its potential right now.” Despite these challenges, the company is doubling down on its core franchises, including Hogwarts Legacy, Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and the DC Universe. Zaslav highlighted the group’s focus on proven IPs and studios, noting that a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy is already in development.
During his tenure, Haddad oversaw the growth of Warner Bros. Games, guiding it through significant industry changes. He helped transition the company from a physical software operation to a digital-first gaming business and played a pivotal role in the success of major franchises such as Mortal Kombat, Hogwarts Legacy, and Game of Thrones Conquest. Haddad expressed his pride in the team’s achievements, saying, “It has been an absolute pleasure working on and building our iconic gaming franchises. I will always be grateful for my time with Warner Bros. Games.”
As part of its future plans, WBD intends to shift focus from large-scale AAA titles that take years to develop to live service and mobile games. Recent releases, like Batman: Arkham Shadow for VR and an upcoming Wonder Woman game from Monolith Productions, demonstrate the company’s strategy to leverage its top franchises.
Haddad’s exit has sparked questions, but JB Perrette, WBD Global Streaming and Games CEO, assured employees there are no plans to sell the gaming division amid rumors of Microsoft as a potential buyer. He praised Haddad’s leadership and emphasized the company’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition.
Sources: Variety