Hogwarts Legacy Seals Its Magical Fate with EOS Closure

NetEase's collectible card game, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, is shutting down in select regions. The end-of-service (EOS) announcement impacts the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, with servers ceasing operation on October 29th, 2024. Players in Asia and certain MENA regions can continue playing.

Initially released in China in September 2021 and globally on June 27th, 2023, the game, developed by Zen Studio, saw a strong initial launch in China but struggled to maintain momentum internationally.

While the game's Clash Royale-inspired gameplay and wizarding world theme initially resonated with players, its popularity waned. Reddit discussions highlight player frustration over a shift towards pay-to-win mechanics, impacting rewards and slowing progression for free-to-play users. A controversial rewards system overhaul further alienated many players.

The game has already been removed from app stores in the affected regions (as of August 26th). Those in unaffected areas can still experience the Hogwarts atmosphere, including dorm life, classes, uncovering secrets, and wizard duels.