Harry Potter: Magic Awakened Says 'Accio EOS' Servers

NetEase's collectible card game, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, is facing a regional end-of-service (EOS) announcement. The game's servers in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania will cease operation on October 29th, 2024. Players in Asia and select MENA regions can continue to enjoy the game.

Initially released in China in September 2021 to positive reception, the game saw global pre-registrations begin in February 2022. However, delays hampered its worldwide launch on June 27th, resulting in less initial impact.

Developed by Zen Studio and announced in 2020, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened blended Clash Royale-style gameplay with the Harry Potter universe, initially captivating players with its card battles and wizard duels. Despite its promising start, the game's performance failed to meet expectations.

The decision to shut down in several regions stems from player feedback citing a shift towards a pay-to-win model. Changes to the reward system, particularly nerfs impacting free-to-play players, significantly slowed progression and alienated a portion of the player base. Reddit discussions highlight player frustration with this altered gameplay.

As of August 26th, the game has been removed from app stores in the affected regions. Those in unaffected areas can still experience the Hogwarts atmosphere, attend classes, explore secrets, and engage in student duels.