Harry Potter fans have been treated to several decent video game adaptations over the years.
Hogwarts Legacy is, of course, the biggest and most recent success, but I also have fond memories of the LEGO Harry Potter entries and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone on the PlayStation 1.
It’s with that in mind that I say it’s hardly as if the fandom has been starved for content.
That being said, news of a particular cancelled game has come as a major disappointment.
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It’s been revealed that at one point in time, a Baldur’s Gate-style Harry Potter RPG was in development before it was ultimately cancelled.
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is one of the most recent Potter releases.
Volition, of Saints Row fame, was reportedly the developer behind the project.
As reported by GamesRadar, over 20 years ago, Volition planned to make an RPG on PC inspired by the Potter universe.
Footage of the cancelled game was shown to the site during a tour of The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.
At the time that the game was being discussed, Goblet of Fire was the most recently published book.
That means production was taking place long before the film series kicked off, giving Volition a blank visual canvas.
GamesRadar described the basic footage they saw as being like “a Baldur’s Gate top-down RPG”.
Apparently, the short demo was made over a couple of weeks; with just enough footage made to pitch to rights holders.
It seems the game never came to fruition though.
Of course, fans have been pretty vocal about their disappointment since this news came to light.
“Guess they hate money,” wrote Reddit user Iggy_DB.
“CRPG style would rake money,” added jantp.
“Honestly that game would rock. The magic system lends itself well to turn based,” commented Brianopolis-Brians.
I do have to point out that if this style of game launched today, yes, I think it would rake in money but this idea came about far, far earlier in the life cycle of the Harry Potter franchise so it likely wasn’t the surefire hit many are assuming it to be.
Still, it’s a cool little slice of Harry Potter history.
Topics: Harry Potter, Warner Bros, Baldur's Gate 3