NetEase's collectible card role-playing game, *Harry Potter: Magic Awakened*, has announced its End of Service (EOS) for specific regions. The shutdown will affect the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, with servers in these areas scheduled to close on October 29th, 2024. However, players in Asia and select MENA territories can continue to enjoy the game. Initially announced in 2020 during NetEase Games' annual event and developed by Zen Studio, the game made its debut in China in September 2021. Global pre-registrations started in February 2022, but delays caused a dip in momentum by the time of its worldwide launch on June 27th, 2023.
Why Did They Announce The EOS Of Harry Potter: Magic Awakened?
*Harry Potter: Magic Awakened* showed great promise with its unique blend of Clash Royale-style gameplay and wizardry elements. At launch, the card-battling and dueling mechanics resonated well with players, capturing the essence of the Hogwarts experience. Despite its initial appeal, the game struggled to maintain its popularity and is now facing closure just over a year after its global release.
Community feedback on platforms like Reddit highlighted a shift in the game's dynamics. Players expressed frustration over changes that seemed to favor those who spent money over those who relied on skill. A significant point of contention was the reworked rewards system, which previously allowed skilled players to earn better rewards but was altered to slow down progression for non-spending and free-to-play users. These changes, along with various nerfs, contributed to a decline in player engagement.
As of August 26th, the game has been removed from the Google Play Store in the regions set to close. However, players in unaffected regions can still dive into the magical world of *Harry Potter: Magic Awakened*, where they can live in dorms, attend classes, uncover secrets, and duel other students.
Before the game's departure from certain regions, don't miss out on the excitement of the upcoming SpongeBob season in Brawl Stars, where you can go jellyfishing!
