An open-world role-playing game set in the Harry Potter universe is planned for release in 2021 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, according to reporting by Jason Schreier of Bloomberg, who cited two sources familiar with the project. The game is described as an expansive, free-roaming recreation of Hogwarts in which players take the role of a student wizard.
The report links the game’s development timeline to broader discussions around the franchise after controversial tweets by author J.K. Rowling. Producers of the game reportedly took note of those social-media posts; however, sources indicate Rowling has limited influence on the game’s development.
The title remains unannounced. According to the sources, the project aims to let players explore Hogwarts without the movement restrictions typical of earlier Harry Potter titles, and to take advantage of next-generation graphics on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Origins and previous leaks
The open-world Harry Potter project first surfaced publicly in a leaked video in October 2018 that was later removed. That footage showed a player-created wizard casting spells while navigating Hogwarts, feeding fans’ expectations for a large-scale, immersive game.
At the time, BBC presenter Lizo Mzimba suggested the game might carry the name “Harry Potter: Magic Awakened.” Since the leak, official details have been sparse and Warner Bros. has not disclosed development milestones or an official title.
Release window and related reveals
Sources told Bloomberg the RPG is targeted for a 2021 release on the new consoles. The report also notes a separate Warner Bros.-related project—the next Batman game, possibly titled “Gotham Knights” based on a URL filing—may be revealed during DC’s FanDome event in August, with the Harry Potter RPG to be presented at some point after that.
Why this matters to players
Previous Harry Potter games received mixed to poor reviews, with few exceptions, making a fully realized open-world RPG a significant prospect for fans of the books and films. The combination of player-created characters, unrestricted exploration of Hogwarts, and next-generation visuals is positioned as the key appeal.
Available information and sources
Details in this article are drawn from the Bloomberg report that cited two unnamed sources and referenced the earlier 2018 leak. No official announcement, release date confirmation, or final title has been published by the game’s publisher.
Related coverage cited in the original reporting includes a TechRadar piece that summarized the earlier leak and ongoing speculation about the project. For more context, see the original Bloomberg story linked above.
