Hogwarts Legacy Release Date, Platforms, Info, And More


It’s been years since Harry Potter fans have had a proper video game to enjoy, but that’s all about to change with the release of Hogwarts Legacy.

Developed by Avalanche Software, Hogwarts Legacy is set during the late 1800’s in the Hogwarts castle we all know and love. It’s been recreated in loving detail, and players will be able to fully explore it. Hogwarts Legacy is an RPG, so you’ll be playing as your own Witch or Wizard as you attend classes to learn magic. Set over 100 years before the movies, you won’t be seeing much of Harry Potter here. This is a brand new story, seperate from the narrative of the original books.

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When Is The Hogwarts Legacy Release Date?

We don’t yet know exactly when Hogwarts Legacy will release. The game was unveiled in 2020 with a release window slated for 2021. This was then pushed back to another vague window of Holiday 2022, that’s about as specific as we can get.

The new release window was revealed in a recent Sony State of Play, which also revealed plenty of new gameplay details.

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What Platforms Is Hogwarts Legacy On?

With such a stunning recreation of the Harry Potter world, we want this game to look its best. Hogwarts Legacy will release across the new-gen consoles – that’s PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. 

However, the magical RPG will also be releasing on last-gen consoles with the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch still supported. With new hardware still hard to come by, it’s great that as many people as possible will be able to play Hogwarts Legacy.

Credit: Warner Bros Studios

What is the Hogwarts Legacy story?

A short description casts Lumos on what the story of Hogwarts Legacy will be. It reads:

“Your character is a student who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart. You have received a late acceptance to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and soon discover that you are no ordinary student: you possess an unusual ability to perceive and master Ancient Magic. Only you can decide if you will protect this secret for the good of all, or yield to the temptation of more sinister magic.”

It sounds like players will have narrative choices in Hogwarts Legacy, which will be exciting to explore. Maybe the game will require multiple playthroughs to see every outcome, just like Mass Effect? We can only hope.

Credit: Warner Bros Studios

What will the Hogwarts Legacy gameplay look like?

As for what you’ll actually be doing in Hogwarts Legacy, it’s everything to do with magic. Here’s another description from the official website: 

“Now you can take control of the action and be at the center of your own adventure in the wizarding world. Embark on a journey through familiar and new locations as you explore and discover fantastic beasts, customize your character and craft potions, master spell casting, upgrade talents, and become the wizard you want to be.”

It sounds as though we’ll be engaging in everything the troublesome trio got up to in the Harry Potter films. Attending classes to learn spells and potion craft, of course. But also exploring the nearby areas and causing mischief. We’ve spotted parts of the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade in trailers. Who knows where else we’ll get to explore?

Credit: Warner Bros Studios

Is JK Rowling involved?

With JK Rowling’s recent and frequent transphobic comments, many fans might be wondering whether she’s involved in the creation of Hogwarts Legacy. Warner Bros confirmed in an online FAQ that:

“Each experience offered under Portkey Games will take place in the wizarding world and will be authentic to it. J.K. Rowling is supportive of Portkey Games and has entrusted the design and creation of the games to Warner Bros. Games and the developers involved. Her team have also collaborated with Warner Bros. Games on all aspects of Hogwarts Legacy to ensure it remains a true part of the Wizarding World experience and is in line with the creativity and magic that fans expect.

“The story showcased in the game is not a new story from J.K. Rowling.”

While Rowling might not have any direct involvement in Hogwarts Legacy, it’s likely that she will still receive royalties from the project. Kotaku asked Avalanche Studios whether this would be the case, but the studio declined to comment.

Despite Rowling’s transphobic reputation, it will be possible to create transgender characters in Hogwarts Unleashed. Players will be able to choose between ‘Witch’ or ‘Wizard’. This will determine their pronouns and which dormitory they are placed in. You can also choose between a masculine or feminine voice, regardless of the chosen body type.

Will you be playing Hogwarts Legacy? Let us know across our social channels.

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[Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studios]