Mobile MMO Harry Potter: Magic Awakened Is Shutting Down In The West This Fall

Hogwarts is shutting its doors… in the west, at least. NetEase and WB Games have announced from out of the blue that the popular card-collecting mobile MMO Harry Potter: Magic Awakened will be sunsetting in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania this fall.

The news has sent shockwaves through the game’s magical community, especially since the free-to-play mobile MMO only launched in the said regions just over a year ago and had just been updated last week with new ability cards and powers alongside a design contest. Its player base also seems to still be thriving.

So, what caused this sudden spell of misfortune? While the official statement from NetEase offered little explanation beyond a vague “the time has come,” many players are speculating that the decision may be linked to localization issues or perhaps a lack of long-term profitability in Western markets. After all, the game only launched in the West a year ago, and despite its popularity, it seems to have faced some challenges.

Fans on social media have expressed their disappointment and frustration, questioning the seemingly abrupt closure and the fate of the highly anticipated PC port which obviously will no longer be released in the west. Some have even pointed out the irony of the announcement coming just as the game was gaining momentum.

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened will officially be shutting its doors on October 29,2024. The game, however, will remain playable in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and a few other countries in Asia and MENA.

As the wizarding world mourns the loss of yet another beloved magical experience, it remains to be seen whether this closure will cast a permanent shadow over the future of Harry Potter-themed mobile games. Only time will tell if a new spell can be cast to revive this enchanted world of Harry Potter in the west.