Harry Potter, a cultural phenomenon that transformed teenage narrative in the early 2000s, had a limited impact on the world of video games. Despite the enormous popularity of J.K. Rowling’s novels and their successful film adaptations, the potential of its magical universe did not translate into memorable video games in those early years.
An RPG that could have been a true milestone
Between 1998 and 2000, the studio Volition, known for its work on the Saints Row series, planned to develop an RPG set in the world of Harry Potter, following the trends of titles like Baldur’s Gate. According to Andrew Borman, director of digital preservation at The Strong National Museum of Play, the Volition team was immersed in the plot of the first two books of the saga and outlined a prototype in a presentation to the rights holders, which included iconic characters like Harry and Hagrid.
The demo, although rudimentary and made in just a couple of weeks, showcased a world that evoked the village of Hogsmeade, in addition to implementing character-switching mechanics that could have added depth to the game. Unfortunately, despite the enthusiastic presentations, the project never received approval and was shelved without the public ever knowing of its existence.
In an ironic twist, the closure of Volition in 2023 put an end to any hopes of reviving this ambitious project. While fans have been able to explore the world of Harry Potter across various platforms such as movies, books, and the recent success of Hogwarts Legacy, the realm of video games has had to wait to capture the essence of the saga through other developments and adaptations.
Thus, what could have been a memorable delivery in the digital environment has become a forgotten chapter in the history of video games, highlighting the difficulty of translating such a rich and complex narrative into an interactive format in its early years.
