GameStop Turns Voldemort on Hogwarts Legacy Early Access
Hogwarts Legacy is finally here….for some.
The highly anticipated Hogwarts Legacy promises to take players on a journey like never before. For those that preordered the Deluxe Edition of the game, your adventure begins 72 hours earlier, with early access, or at least it was meant to.
Customers who preordered from GameStop (yours included) did not receive their game on the release date of February 7th, thus being cheated out of one of the primary appeals of preordering the more expensive Deluxe Edition of the game.
In fact, if you go to GameStop’s listing of Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition, there is no mention of the 72-hour Early Access, which can still be found on Best Buy, Amazon, and Xbox’s listings.
All of those listings for Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition list the included features:
- Thestral Mount
- Dark Arts Battle Arena
- Dark Arts Cosmetic Set
- 72 Hours Early Access
- Preorder now to get the Onyx Hippogriff Mount.
However, GameStop lists the Deluxe Edition as including the following:
- Full Game
- Dark Arts Cosmetic Set
- Thestral Mount
- Dark Arts Battle Arena
- Oh, and if you pre-order, you receive the Onyx Hippogriff Mount AND a free tin poster! (while supplies last)
Remember, if you go to the Hogwarts Legacy’s website, they list 72 hours of early access to be included in the Deluxe Edition.
While GameStop ensures they do not list the 72-hour early access as a feature, they do keep the release date as 2/7/2023 for the Deluxe Edition, which they still missed, but could get by with the excuse that release date doesn’t guarantee you’ll have the game in hand. By having the 72-hour early access removed as a listed feature of the Deluxe Edition on their website while still keeping the release date, they get to play games to people’s expectations.
As of this writing, the order status for an order from GameStop’s website still shows “Awaiting product availability” with no sign of shipping or tracking number.
As of this writing, there has been no response from GameStop’s customer service to me regarding the explanation of the delay or the status of my game’s delivery. When there is, I will update the article.
It’s an easy assumption to make those customers who preordered Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition (and Collectors Edition) for delivery through GameStop’s website not receive the game any earlier than if they had purchased the Standard edition. Furthermore, the fact that GameStop intentionally left off the 72-hour early access as part of the game’s features list but still kept the Feb 7th release date on the Deluxe Edition listing suggests intentionally misleading online customers.
A quick search on Twitter also shows the growing frustration as people tag GameStop in an attempt to get explanations.
No Hogwarts Legacy for me or many others who pre-ordered. @GameStop as an avid video gamer, and loyal lifetime customer, I’m disappointed. As an investor, I’m embarrassed and demand an explanation. What kind of logistics failures had to take place for this to happen? pic.twitter.com/RLPMlSRf56
— IMakeItPop.eth (@Jordan72656176) February 8, 2023
.@GameStop can you explain this? Ordered 8/25/22. #HogwartsLegacy pic.twitter.com/YiOqoGeKDy
— Christian Reeves (@JChrisReeves) February 7, 2023
So if you are expecting a physical copy of hogwarts legacy deluxe from @GameStop, it most likely won’t even be shipped out for 72hrs, im beyond disappointed @HogwartsLegacy @GameStopHelp pic.twitter.com/4VuGILXwSp
— yaboii (@imdatnibba513) February 7, 2023
Lesson learned: Do not preorder from the GameStop website.
About Hogwarts Legacy
This action RPG game is set in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, and players will get to experience the magic, mystery, and wonder of this beloved franchise like never before.
In Hogwarts Legacy, players will step into the shoes of a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where they will hone their magical abilities, learn from legendary professors, and explore the iconic castle. The game is set in the late 1800s, before the events of the Harry Potter books and movies, so players will get to experience a whole new chapter in the Hogwarts story.
One of the most exciting features of Hogwarts Legacy is the ability to create and customize your own character. Players will be able to choose their own name, appearance, and even the type of magic they want to use. With the power to choose your own destiny, the possibilities are truly endless.
Hogwarts Legacy also features an original storyline, complete with new characters, creatures, and mysteries to uncover. Fans of the Harry Potter universe will be able to experience the magic in a whole new way as they explore new parts of the wizarding world and uncover its secrets.
The game has been developed by Avalanche Software in collaboration with Warner Bros. Games and is available on various platforms, including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.
