NetEase's Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, a collectible card RPG, 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 launched in China in September 2021 and globally on June 27th, 2023, the game enjoyed a strong initial reception, blending Clash Royale-style gameplay with the Harry Potter universe. Its card-battling mechanics and wizard duels resonated with players, successfully capturing the Hogwarts atmosphere.
However, the game's popularity waned. Reddit discussions highlight player frustration with a shift towards pay-to-win mechanics, particularly after a rewards system rework that negatively impacted skilled free-to-play players. Nerfs and slower progression for non-spending players contributed to the decline.
The game has been removed from the Google Play Store in affected regions as of August 26th, 2024. Those in unaffected regions can still experience the game's dorm life, classes, secrets, and student duels.