Warner Bros. Announces Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Online Game
Warner Bros. Discovery isn’t done milking Harry Potter yet. Yesterday, they tweeted a short video teasing a new video game set in the Harry Potter universe called Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. A look at the frequently asked questions on their official site reveals some details. Quidditch Champions is “a fast-paced, competitive multiplayer game” revolving around the magical sport from J.K. Rowling’s books, published by Warner Bros. Games “under the Portkey Games label” and developed by Unbroken Studios. Essentially, this is exactly what it looks and sounds like: a competitive multiplayer video game where you play Quidditch against other gamers online. The game will be available on PC and consoles, though it’s unknown which consoles. It isn’t based on any of the books or other media directly, but it does take place in the Wizarding World and will feature customizable characters. Currently, there’s no release date, but you can register for playtests on the official site, although doing so “does not guarantee entry.” Finally, and perhaps most reassuring to Harry Potter fans, “J.K. Rowling is hugely supportive of Portkey Games and has entrusted the design and creation of the games to WB Games and the developers involved.”
Calling all Beaters, Chasers, Keepers, and Seekers! Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions limited playtest signups are live now! Sign up at https://t.co/BlTgjyZktt. #QuidditchChampionspic.twitter.com/qyP8zBA2hf
— Warner Bros. Discovery (@wbd) April 17, 2023
People are speculating that this is why Quidditch doesn’t make an appearance in Hogwarts Legacy, the recent and massively popular Harry Potter video game. (And when I say “People are speculating,” I mean that’s what Blabs told me.) That’s smart; why not stretch the IP as much as you can in creative ways rather than just endless sequels to whatever your new idea is? They also have the benefit of being able to develop multiple games simultaneously, as this has been in the works for years, meaning it was in development alongside Hogwarts Legacy. It would have worked even if Hogwarts Legacy underperformed because Quidditch Champions isn’t tied to that game outside of its Harry Potter setting. It’s also a different type of game, with this looking like it’s more in the vein of something like Multiversus, with Quidditch replacing a fighting tournament. It’s also a way to appeal to fans of different kinds of gaming, and it demonstrates the versatility of the Wizarding World at the same time. It’s a safe bet that we can expect a lot more Harry Potter games in the coming years as Warner Bros. squeezes every last nickel out of one of its most viable properties and tries to get its head above water financially.
