Xbox reportedly interested in acquiring WB Interactive

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It is important to note that the acquisition of WB Interactive will not mean that any interested companies like Microsoft or Activision will own characters like Batman or Harry Potter. Instead, potential buyers will have to negotiate licensing deals so studios like Rocksteady can still create new games based on DC Comics or any other Warner Bros. character.

However, certain properties like Mortal Kombat will be included in the NetherRealm Studios sale.

The acquisition of WB Interactive will greatly increase the number of developers at Xbox Game Studios. Microsoft has already bought high-profile developers including Ninja Theory, Obsidian, Double Fine, and more. A purchase from WB Interactive will add studios like NetherRealm, and potentially the license to develop DC and Harry Potter games, similar to how Insomniac is licensed to develop Spider-man games for the PlayStation.

The news that AT&T is looking to sell WB Interactive broke out last month. The parent company is trying to pay off its $ 154 billion debt, and a sale of WB Interactive is potentially valued at $ 4 billion.

AT&T bought Time Warner for $ 109 billion in 2018, resulting in huge debt. Investors are asking the telecom company to sell “non-essential assets” like DirecTV and WB Interactive.

Meanwhile, WB Montreal is currently working on a new Batman project, while Rocksteady is rumored to be developing a new DC game. Avalanche Studios has also been linked to the unannounced Harry Potter RPG.

IGN has reached out to Xbox for comment.

Matt Kim is an IGN reporter.