This simulation brings the “sport” of Quidditch, played with broomsticks and a ball in the Harry Potter universe. For those unfamiliar with the game, it consists of two teams of seven players, each trying to score goals with one ball while avoiding other flying balls and each other. The players, positions, and “strategies” of Quidditch have been faithfully replicated, which will come as a relief to those who are already familiar with the sport and want to see it portrayed accurately.
The first step in the game requires each participant to choose one of the four Hogwarts school teams they would like to compete in. After participating in a few introductory activities, they are put into the Hogwarts Cup competition, where they will face off against the other three teams. The player can collect Quidditch cards, which allow them to unlock powerful combination moves as they go through the game and fulfill specified challenges (such as “score 120 points in one game”). After a player has triumphed at their respective school’s championship, they can try out for one of the nine international teams competing for the Quidditch World Cup. Each team has its playing style and unique special combo moves. After claiming victory in the cup once, other cards can be obtained by competing in and prevailing in games with various teams.
People who are familiar with real sports are aware that the rules of Quidditch (as portrayed in Rowlings’ books) are fundamentally broken and that the only relevant component of the game is the one-on-one competition between the two seekers trying to catch the golden snitch. This is common knowledge among people who are familiar with real sports. This issue is resolved by the “golden snitch bar” that is a part of the Quidditch World Cup. As the game goes on, completing action combos and carrying out special moves contribute points to a team’s overall progress bar. When the snitch does eventually show up, the team with a better position on the bar will have a head start in pursuing them. Ironically, this system gives points for things other than actual scoring, which means that in-game objectives still have very little significance (unless, on easier difficulties, it is much simpler to create a lead of 160 or more points and render the snitch irrelevant).
Most of the more advanced elements typical of an EA Sports title, such as league play, team administration, and so on, are not present in Quidditch World Cup because the game is aimed at a younger demographic. Aside from demonstration matches for two players on the same system, it offers no other multiplayer gameplay forms.
