Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, developer Niantic’s magical spin on the Pokémon Go formula, will permanently shut down on 31st January 2022.
Wizards Unite arrived with much fanfare back June 2019, presenting a more narrative-focused take on the hugely popular location-based AR action of Pokémon Go as Harry Potter seeped into the real-world. And now, nearly two and a half years on, that adventure is almost at an end.
“Not all games are meant to last forever,” Niantic wrote in a statement announcing Wizards Unite’s imminent closure. “Our goal…was to bring the magic of the wizarding world to life for millions of players as they stepped outside and explored their neighbourhoods. We accomplished that together, delivering a two-year narrative story arc that will soon complete.”
“During this time,” Niantic added elsewhere, “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.”
Come 31st January next year, all servers and features will be switched off and the Wizards Unite app will be removed from digital storefronts. Additionally, the community forum and all associated social media channels will closed. Players will have until 31st January to spend their Gold balance and use any remaining items, and Niantic notes no refunds will be given on past purchases, except where otherwise required by law.