Harry Potter Officially Switches Genres In Defenders Of Hogwarts

Published Nov 1, 2026, 7:30 AM EST

Known as 'Cyberpunk 2077's' biggest fan, Angharad is a Welsh games writer who thrives in anything related to digital storytelling. If a video game explores the intricacies and horrors of womanhood, she is there.

Thanks to previous work at GAMINGbible, GameByte, The Loadout, Game Luster, Angharad has built a strong understanding of both the digital world and what fans want from it and is eager to share her thoughts and expertise with readers.

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Despite the last movie in the series hitting cinemas way back in 2011, there has never been a better time to be a Harry Potter fan. Not only are fans still taking the opportunity to become a witch or wizard in Hogwarts Legacy, but a sequel is currently in development, with rumors suggesting that it could launch as early as 2027/28.

However, perhaps most exciting, is that Christmas Day of this year will see the brand-new Harry Potter television show air on MAX. Welcoming a brand-new cast of characters, it is set to revisit the magical world created by J.K. Rowling, and fans of the original book series will be pleased to see moments that the original movies missed out on.

That being said, when it comes to lesser known releases in the Harry Potter universe, Harry Potter: Defenders Of Hogwarts is just one example.

This brand-new multiplayer board game takes players back to the epic final battle between Harry and Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts. Designed by MinaLima and recommended for two to five players, 90-minute games will see you immerse yourself in the epic battle. As the official synopsis reads:

"Lord Voldemort’s arrival at the castle is imminent. Prepare for what lies ahead by honing your spell-casting skills, exploring the storied grounds of Hogwarts, and laying the groundwork for a battle between good and evil. But will you do so as a loyal Hogwarts student, or as a member of the Dark Forces, seeking to bring about a new era of darkness? The choice is yours."

However, this is not just any fan-made board game, as it has been designed by the graphic designers of the official Harry Potter movies. As such, they were responsible for creating iconic props such as the Marauder's Map and Daily Prophet. Furthermore, the board game's design is being headed by David Waterman, a multi-award-winning industrial designer.

Defender of Hogwarts is now available to order over on Kickstarter, and with 10,959 backers pledging £1,313,755, it is safe to say that this is an experience that many Harry Potter fans cannot wait to get their hands on.

With the estimated delivery expected for October 2026, we can safely assume that its pledgers will soon be getting their hands on this incredible board game but, as mentioned, if you missed out on the Kickstarter campaign, you can still head over to the official page to order yours now.

This asymmetric deckbuilding adventure allows you to sharpen your magical skills as a Hogwarts House Player whilst you fight valiantly to fortify the castle, or wield Dark Magic and marshal dangerous beasts as a Dark Arts Player to render Hogwarts powerless against the Dark Lord's reign.

Allowing players to become a member of any of the four houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, you even have the choice to turn your back on your friends by becoming a member of Voldemort's dark forces. Featuring spell-binding artwork, Easter eggs around every corner, endless replayability options, and the ability to view Hogwarts in a whole new light, Harry Potter: Defender of Hogwarts is the ultimate board game experience for the biggest fans.

Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students' time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.