When thinking of the big MMORPGs, one might not immediately think of Wizard101, yet 17 years after its release, the developers have reached a new milestone that comes as a surprise to many.
What kind of MMORPG is this? If you have always missed an MMORPG like Harry Potter, you will find what you are looking for in Wizard101. The MMORPG from 2008 is somewhat based on a world of magic and spells and allows players to take on the role of students at the “Ravenwood School of Magic Arts.”
In the process, players learn spells and can use them in battles against enemies. The MMORPG is clearly aimed at a younger audience, so there is an extra protection feature for children under the age of 13.
Since the MMORPG and the developer studio KingIsle Entertainment were acquired by the German company Gamigo in January 2021, there have been several changes to the MMORPG that are now proving to be very successful.
The Magical Upswing
What has the MMORPG achieved now? Although the MMORPG has existed for over 17 years, the expansion for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only came four months ago. Shortly thereafter, a version for the Switch was also released.
This expansion performed extremely well. According to a press release from the developers, which MeinMMO has, over a million downloads on the new platforms were achieved in just four months. Thus, the family-friendly MMORPG ranks among the largest titles in the genre and still attracts new players to the magical world despite its age.
“This milestone speaks volumes about the strength of the Wizard101 brand and its player base,” said Wolfgang Duhr, CEO of Gamigo Group. “This project was eagerly awaited by players around the world, and we are pleased to say that the hard work it took to realize it was worth it. However, we are not yet ready to lay down our wands – many milestones still lie ahead for Wizard101, KingsIsle Entertainment, and the Gamigo Group as a whole.”
Can this work for other titles as well? Analysts from New World have already seen that the console market is hungry for new MMORPGs. The success of Wizard101 also indicates the demand for the genre on these platforms.
Besides the MMORPG Trove, which is also distributed by Gamigo Group, the publisher’s portfolio has further titles such as RIFT and Fiesta Europe that could be considered for a console release. However, it is unknown if the success of Wizard101 will lead to a new strategy.
Although Wizard101 is not yet quite Harry Potter, the magical world is once again enchanting many players these days. But there is also an MMORPG from Harry Potter that many overlook, probably because its art style does not quite match the films: A new MMORPG for Harry Potter has been released and offers what Hogwarts Legacy lacked
