Bear in mind the way it appeared so odd you can’t play Quidditich in Hogwarts Legacy, although it is probably the most well-known and in style sport within the wizarding world and central to the story of Harry Potter? Anyway, by no means thoughts that, as a result of in solely unrelated information Warner Bros has revealed an all-new multiplayer set on this planet of Hogwarts referred to as Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions.
Quidditch Champions got here as a whole shock by the use of a tweet that introduced not simply the sport, but in addition “restricted playtest signups” that at the moment are open. It is being developed by Unbroken Studios, the creator of the cancelled Mad Max-style battle royale Fractured Lands (opens in new tab), which can be supporting Rocksteady within the improvement of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which was lately delayed into 2024 (opens in new tab). It will likely be revealed by Portkey Video games, a Warner Bros publishing label devoted to Harry Potter video games.
Considerably unexpectedly given the shock announcement, an FAQ (opens in new tab) says the mission “has been in improvement for a number of years,” which I suppose might have been an element within the resolution to exclude Quidditch from Hogwarts Legacy, though nothing has been stated in that regard. Neither pricing nor a launch date have been introduced, however it is going to be out there for PC and unspecified consoles—and apparently there will probably be extra to do than simply play Quidditch.
“Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is a whole, standalone Quidditch expertise,” the FAQ states. “It engages gamers within the sport of Quidditch and different broomstick adventures alongside mates in a aggressive, multiplayer setting.”
The FAQ additionally strongly means that whereas Harry Potter is within the sport title, he will not really be within the sport—and, like Hogwarts Legacy, tries to distance itself from Harry Potter creator JK Rowling.
“Whereas Portkey Video games are usually not direct diversifications of the books and movies, the video games are firmly rooted within the magical universe of the Wizarding World,” the FAQ states. “Whereas remaining true to JK Rowling’s authentic imaginative and prescient, Portkey sport builders chart new territory by creating recent methods for followers to immerse themselves within the Wizarding World.
“Every expertise provided underneath Portkey Video games will happen within the wizarding world and will probably be genuine to it. J.Ok. Rowling is vastly supportive of Portkey Video games and has entrusted the design and creation of the video games to WB Video games and the builders concerned.”
Calling all Beaters, Chasers, Keepers, and Seekers! Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions restricted playtest signups are dwell now! Enroll at https://t.co/E9cQekLOzV. #QuidditchChampions pic.twitter.com/AQhKfg4NKDApril 17, 2023
Rowling’s connection to those video games is controversial due to her steadfastly transphobic politics. As we defined earlier in our report on why players are combating over whether or not or not it is OK to play Hogwarts Legacy (opens in new tab), the problem has left followers with a stark and tough selection: Flip away from a world they love, or help an creator whose views they discover repugnant? It was a serious level of competition surrounding Hogwarts Legacy, in addition to the Harry Potter TV collection lately introduced by HBO, and it’ll little doubt be the identical for Quidditch Champions.
For now, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is taking signups for “restricted” playtests. What precisely the restrictions are is not clarified, however you may dive into extra on the official Quidditch Champions Discord server (opens in new tab).