NetEase's collectible card game, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, is shutting down in select regions. The end of service (EOS) affects the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, with servers going offline on October 29th, 2024. Players in Asia and certain MENA regions can continue playing.
Initially released in China in September 2021, the game enjoyed early success. A global launch followed in June 2022, but after a period of delays, the game failed to maintain its initial momentum.
Why the Shutdown?
Despite its promising Clash Royale-inspired gameplay and enchanting Hogwarts atmosphere, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened struggled to gain traction. Reddit discussions highlight player frustration with a shift towards pay-to-win mechanics. A controversial rewards system overhaul negatively impacted free-to-play players, slowing progression and reducing the advantage skilled players once held.
The game has already been removed from the Google Play Store in affected regions (as of August 26th). If you're in a region where the game remains available, you can still experience the dorm life, classes, secrets, and wizard duels.
[Next up: Upcoming SpongeBob Season In Brawl Stars where you can Go Jellyfishing!]