Check out our history of Wizards of the Coast’s Harry Potter Trading Card Game and the summer camp that extended its life. How do games like this take advantage of innocent joy to separate you from your…..

The **Harry Potter Trading Card Game (HPTCG)**, released in 2001 by Wizards of the Coast—the same publishers as *Magic: The Gathering*—was a brief but beloved venture into the wizarding world. Using mechanics inspired by *Magic*, the game featured spells, characters, and locations from the books, but aimed for a younger audience with simplified gameplay. Despite its initial success, the game’s life was cut short in 2003, largely due to competition and the publisher’s focus on other products. Many fans still cherish its nostalgic charm and collectible cards.