By Jason Collins | published
Yet another game has been hit by a crushing delay, and fans of the Harry Potter franchise will have to wait a few more weeks before they can get their hands on the next one Hogwarts Legacy. The game was previously slated for a Holiday 2022 release, but has been pushed to next year, as announced by the game’s publisher, Warner Bros., and its developer, Avalanche Software.
According to IGN, Warner Bros. and Avalanche Software the release of Hogwarts Legacya Harry Potter prequel set in the 1800s. Granted, the game didn’t have a specific release date; it was slated for a Holiday 2022 release window, which had the potential to coincide with the announced PlayStation 5 restock, which would no doubt spark an even bigger stampede during Black Friday. No specific reason was given for the delay of the game – the team simply needs more time for the final polishing of the highly anticipated title.
It’s worth noting that the delay only affects the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC versions of Hogwarts Legacy. The Nintendo Switch version release date should be revealed soon, but given that Switch versions of cross-platform releases always launch a few months later, we doubt it will arrive earlier than other platforms. That said, both the game’s publisher and developer have revealed the official release date for the game, and those impatiently awaiting Hogwarts Legacy would have to wait until February 10, 2023.
Interestingly enough, the game was announced in January 2020, with initial plans to release Hogwarts Legacy on all major platforms in 2021. In January 2021, Warner Bros. however, indicated that the game would be delayed until 2022 so that the game “got the time it needs”. The most recent delay reflects that sentiment, as those behind this seemingly fantastic title say the game needs more time – again.
As in our previous report, the story of Hogwarts Legacy is set in the Wizarding World during the 1800s, so a century or two before the events of the Harry Potter novels. The player’s character is a new witch or wizard who doesn’t enroll in the school – through the Sorting Hat appears during character creation – but a fifth-year student at Hogwarts, where they learn advanced magic and compete against their rivals and dark wizard who attacks Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The delay, while crushing, isn’t the only point of contention around Hogwarts Legacy. The announcement sparked heated discussions about its affiliation with the franchise’s author, JK Rowling, who came under fire for her transphobic comments. The creatives responsible for Hogwarts Legacy have stated that the author is not directly involved in the game, although she has the right to express her personal opinion. Several sources have since suggested that the game would allow transgender character creation.
Hogwarts Legacy is expected to launch on February 10, 2023 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC. The Nintendo Switch version of the game, although announced, has still not received an official release date.
