Niantic, yes that one, has just announced that it will be shutting down Harry Potter: Wizards Unite in 2022. As hinted by the publisher involved, this is an AR game based on the still popular Harry Potter IP.
For whatever reason however, the game is no longer sustainable and it will be closed for good. A message from the developer as follows from the official website:
Tune in as Harry and Hermione put an end to the Calamity before Harry Potter: Wizards Unite officially closes on January 31, 2022
Witches and wizards,
Today we’re announcing that Harry Potter: Wizards Unite will officially close on January 31, 2022. The game will be removed from the App Store, Google Play and Galaxy Store on December 6, 2021, and players will no longer be able to make in-game purchases as of December 6, 2021.
When we launched Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, our vision was to allow players to experience the wizarding world right in their real-world surroundings as they stepped outside and explored their neighborhoods. Over the years, millions of witches and wizards around the globe have embarked on real-world adventures, coming together to keep magic hidden safe within the wizarding world while joining forces to take on The Unforgivable. During this time, players have also worked alongside Hermione and Harry as part of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of the London Five and are now on the verge of putting an end to the Calamity.
Players can look forward to some gameplay changes that will take effect on November 2, 2021:
- All Daily Assignments will have their rewards increased
- All Potion Brew times will be reduced by 50% with Master Notes
- The daily cap on sending and opening Gifts will be removed
- Barrufio’s Brain Elixir potion will now award 3× player XP
- 1920s Portkey Portmanteaus will appear on the map more frequently and associated Fragment rewards will be doubled
- Spell Energy and Ingredients will appear on the map more frequently
Over the coming months, players will also be able to look forward to the following events, including the release of the remaining Lethal Adversaries:
- November
- Dolores Umbridge Lethal Adversaries Event
- Half-Blood Prince Brilliant Event Part 1
- Lucius Malfoy Lethal Adversaries Event
- Half-Blood Prince Brilliant Event Part 2
- December
- Bellatrix Lethal Adversaries Event
- Horcrux Hunt Part 2
- Voldemort Lethal Adversaries Event
- Deathly Hallows Brilliant Event Part 1
- Holiday Event
- Deathly Hallows Brilliant Event Part 2
- January
- We’ll share more details regarding additional game changes that’ll happen during the month of January.
We are incredibly thankful to every single person in our amazing community of witches and wizards for adventuring with us out in the real world.
-The Harry Potter: Wizards Unite team
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is Harry Potter: Wizards Unite being officially closed?
A: Harry Potter: Wizards Unite will be playable until January 31, 2022. We will be removing the game from the App Store, Google Play and Galaxy Store on December 6, 2021.
Q: Will I still be able to play until the closing date?
A: Yes, players will still be able to continue playing Harry Potter: Wizards Unite until January 31, 2022.
Q: What happens if I delete Harry Potter: Wizards Unite after the game has been removed from the app stores?
A: We will be removing the game from the App Store, Google Play and Galaxy Store on December 6, 2021. If you accidentally delete the game or get a new phone after the game has been removed from the app stores, you will unfortunately be unable to re-download.
Q: What happens if I still have the game installed after the closing date?
A: On January 31, 2022, all features and servers for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite will be turned off. Players who still have the game installed after this date will be unable to play. If you would like to request your account data, please contact support to make this request by January 15, 2022 to allow time for our team to prepare the data.
Q: Can I use my in-game currency and everything I’ve collected? Will I get a refund on purchases?
A: Players will not be able to receive a refund on past purchases, except where otherwise required by law. You will be able to spend your remaining Gold balance and items before the game closes on January 31, 2022. We have a variety of fun gameplay changes during the remaining few months, so you will have the full opportunity to enjoy your remaining Gold. We will turn off the ability to make in-app purchases on December 6, 2021.
Q: Will you be closing the Harry Potter: Wizards Unite community?
A: The community forum and all associated social media channels of the game will be closed on January 31, 2022.