Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone remake is the real deal
Sorry Hogwarts Legacy, but we're going to say it. They just don't make Harry Potter games like they used to. Whether it's those refusing to line the pockets of J.K. Rowling - or accusations the games have come a little predictable like the Fantastic Beasts movies - the magic is gone for many.
Hogwarts Legacy showed us the potential of what a new-gen Harry Potter game could do, and while we threw our galleons at this open-world Wizarding world, it's lack of updates or fresh content has us wondering if Avalanche Software will be opening its Chamber of Secrets again.
Disclaimer: While the creator of the Harry Potter franchise was not directly involved in the creation of Hogwarts Legacy, their comments on social media around transgender people are hurtful and dangerous given the size of their platform.
We’d implore you to read our explainer of the controversy so far, and consider supporting trans rights charities where possible.
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone remake is already playable
Click to enlargeAt least we've got the memories of the franchise's glory days, and for those of a certain age, nothing compared to booting up Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on your PS1 (or the PS2 version). As we presuambly just stopped playing, it's easy to forget that all seven Harry Potter movies had their own tie-in game.
There have been plenty of calls for the older Harry Potter games to get a modern remaster, but as the likes of Argonaut Games and Warthog Games no longer exist, and Warner Bros. is unlikely to strike a new deal with EA for the rights to these cult classics, it's not easy as that.
Thankfully, fans have had enough of Change.org petitions and have struck out with their own Harry Potter and Philosopher's Stone remake - although it goes with the Americanised Sorcerer's Stone name. As reported by GAMINGBible, the E3 project is a complete overhaul of the original game that also boasts cut content.
Over on the E3 Project site, you can download the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone remake. It's built in Unreal Engine 2, "utilizing vanilla and custom assets as well as unused content and complete reprogramming." It comes with a few goblins in the system, but otherwise, looks like a faithful remake.
Will we get an official Philosopher's Stone remake?
Click to enlargeWe can only dream of seeing pixelated Haggord again, and if a Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone remake was real, it'd likely lose that charm that made us fall in love with those triangular faces in 2001 - yes, even that weirdly angular Malfoy.
Also, we imagine that EA would be quick to send a legal Howler down to fans if it finds out about the Sorcerer's Stone remake. The old Harry Potter IP might've been forgotten like Moaning Myrtle in the second-floor girl's bathroom, but gaming companies aren't exactly known for missing an opportunity to make a quick buck.
Much like the continued calls for a Simpsons: Hit & Run remake from Vivendi (which is known for the old Lord of the Rings games), most have lost track of where the rights are up to. These days, EA is much more focused on its Star Wars and Marvel IPs, meaning it doesn't look like us humble muggles will be winning the House Cup this year.
