Harry Potterfans have been lucky enough to enjoy a few great games from the franchise, allowing them to explore the hallways of Hogwarts and play Quidditch. The latest upcoming Wizarding World game,Hogwarts Legacy, promises to be the most immersive experience yet, and gamers will play as students beginning their fifth year at the famed magical castle. When they are not attending classes and making friends, players will also learn more about theGoblin Rebellionbeing led by Ranrok and Victor Rookwood.
Hogwarts Legacywas originally slated to release during 2022’s holiday season, but a recent delay has pushed the game to 2023. According to Avalanche Software, developers need a little extra time to deliver the best experience possible. Delays are not bad if they give developers the space they need to do their best work, thoughHogwarts Legacy’s delay is suspicious, and it could spell bad news for the game.
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Has Avalanche Software Bitten off More Than It Can Chew?
Avalanche Software is not a new player in the realm of video games, and for most of its history, it has made licensedgames for Disney franchises. Past titles from the studio includeToy Story 3,Bolt, and games fromRugrats,Cars, Chicken Little, and theDisney Infinityseries. Although these games have generally been met with positive reception, they are all games with a relatively small scope and are far smaller than whatHogwarts Legacyis purported to be. Consequently, the upcomingHarry Pottergame will be something new for the studio, and while there is plenty that it can learn from its prior games, it will also be treading a lot of new ground.
Open-world games are notoriously difficult to develop, and even large, experienced studios have had trouble delivering experiences that are free of bugs and are immersive enough to satisfy gamers. This was seen with CD Projekt Red’sCyberpunk 2077, which the gaming world was excited to play after the studio’s success withThe Witcher. However, many gamers, especially those playing on last-generation consoles, found the game to be glitchy and lacking many features that were promised, leading to a rather catastrophic launch for the game.
Hogwarts Legacy’s delay is worrying, asCyberpunk 2077also faced several delays before its release, as developers recognized that there were still a few flaws present. Furthermore, likeCyberpunk 2077,Hogwarts Legacymakes a lot of ambitious promises, and players have been led to believe that they will be able to live the life of a Hogwarts student by attending classes, making friends, joining a house, taming magical creatures, and visiting Hogsmeade. If executed well, it could be thebestHarry Pottergameto date. However, the studio’s lofty goals are concerning, and the recent delay does not inspire confidence.
Is Hogwarts Legacy Afraid of the Spotlight?
Originally,Hogwarts Legacywas slated for a holiday 2022 release date, with many speculating that it would hit shelves in December. This would have been an interesting time for the game to release, as it would have allowed the game to avoid November, which is packed with a host of headlining games, includingGod of War: RagnarokandPokemon ScarletandViolet. At present, there are not too many big games scheduled for December, aside fromThe Callisto Protocol, which would have allowedHogwarts Legacyto have the gaming world’s attention all month. However, this may not be what developers want.
The game’s delay into February 2023 puts it in a far busier period where it now has to share the stage with other titles, includingDeliver Us the Moon’s sequel,Deliver Us Mars, and possiblyDead Island 2based on recent leaks. There are also big games such asStarfieldandFinal Fantasy 16that are scheduled for the first half of 2023, and they could find themselves releasing around the same time asHogwarts Legacy. This does not inspire confidence in the game, as it suggests that Avalanche Studio prefers a release period where there is less attention onHogwarts Legacy, which would mean less scrutiny.
It should be noted that delays are quite normal in the gaming world, andHogwarts Legacy’s delay could genuinely be for last-minute polishing. Gamers have been promised an immersive Hogwarts castle in a game that allows them to live the life of a magical student. If Avalanche Software can deliver, it could spark a verysuccessful series ofHarry Pottergames.
Hogwarts Legacyis scheduled to release on June 27, 2025 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and at a later date on Nintendo Switch.
