NetEase's collectible card RPG, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, is shutting down in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania on October 29th, 2024. While this marks the end of service for these regions, the game will remain available in Asia and select MENA territories.
Initially released in China in September 2021 to positive reception, the game's global launch in June 2022, following pre-registrations in February 2022, failed to maintain the same momentum.
Reasons for the Shutdown:
Despite its promising Clash Royale-inspired gameplay infused with the Harry Potter universe and initially positive player response to the card battles and wizard duels, the game's performance ultimately fell short of expectations. Reddit discussions highlight player frustration with a shift towards pay-to-win mechanics. A rework of the reward system, particularly nerfs impacting free-to-play players' progression, significantly contributed to this decline.
The game has already been removed from the Google Play Store in the affected regions (as of August 26th). Players in regions where the game remains active can still enjoy the Hogwarts experience, including dorm life, classes, secrets, and student duels.
