Technologies

Hogwarts Legacy Renews That Classic Harry Potter Magic

Commentary: The open-world RPG game, available now, lets you explore a previously unseen era of this enchanting world of wizardry. Despite the controversy around this franchise, it’s a joy.

Playing Hogwarts Legacy instantly reminds me few fictional worlds are as bewitching as Harry Potter’s. In 1998, my mum handed me a copy of Philosopher’s Stone — published under the lesser name Sorcerer’s Stone in the US — and that opening chapter awakened a sense of wonder. I was hooked for life.

Or so I thought. After the core book series wrapped up and there were no more movie adaptations coming, my emotional connection diminished. The overstuffed spinoffs, along with author J.K. Rowling’s inflammatory comments about transgender people, sucked the remaining fun out of the franchise, and I figured it was time to move on.

Most of that baggage fell away as soon as I started Hogwarts Legacy, which hit PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Series S and PC on Friday (it arrives on other consoles in the coming months). This open-world action RPG game, developed by Avalanche Software, is designed to let us live out our fantasies of enrolling at the iconic School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a new student.

Having played the PS5 version for 12 hours, it captures the wonder of the early books, with an intriguing original narrative, engagingly varied gameplay and intricately designed world to explore.

Back to basics

The game sidesteps the narrative restrictions of Harry’s story by jumping way back in the timeline, to the 1890s. After creating your character, you’re whisked off on a brief opening adventure before reaching the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Even though you’re a new student, you’re starting your magical career a little late and enroll as a fifth year. That’s presumably because having a wide-eyed first year, just 11 years old, explore dangerous caves, learn dangerous spells and battle dark wizards would feel kinda weird.

The customization options are a key element in living out your wizarding world fantasy, and they’re a joy. You can choose your character’s gender and appearance. Then you’ll pick and alter your wand (don’t worry, the one you start the game with is a loaner) and broom.

You also get sorted into a Hogwarts house (Slytherin FTW), based on a series of questions you’ll answer shortly after arriving at the school, but you can have a do-over if the initial selection isn’t to your liking.

The house you end up in doesn’t seem to change much beyond the common room, your uniform and some throwaway lines. Though teachers mention house points in some classes, you won’t actually be competing for them in the game.

Your education is occasionally interrupted by the main story, which focuses on your connection to mysterious ancient magic and a sinister dark wizard in league with the intense leader of a goblin rebellion — these baddies sport the excellent names of Victor Rookwood and Ranrok, respectively. It’s an absorbing narrative that expands this universe’s lore nicely, especially when it hints at events further back in the timeline, but sometimes fades into the background amidst all the game’s other distractions.

Living in a wizarding world

The development team’s love for Harry Potter is apparent in every aspect of Hogwarts Legacy, but shines most brightly in the world and its characters. Every teacher, student and location feels distinct and real, with a peppering of familiar names like Weasley and Black to make fans feel comfortable.

Each character is richly written, cleverly voiced — Simon Pegg plays the unpleasant headmaster — and visually diverse, so talking to them and learning about their backgrounds is fascinating. (It’s frustrating that you can’t pause during cutscenes though.) This characterisation is woven through the main story and its side quests, which range from investigating one of the castle’s mysteries and sneakily grabbing potion ingredients to wandering into a dangerous cave.

These are varied and fun in terms of gameplay, exploration and puzzle-solving, but feel even more worthwhile since they present opportunities to learn more about the quest-givers and world. And teenage tomfoolery, like sneaking into the library in the dead of night with the help of an invisibility charm, just feels like vintage Harry Potter.

Your customized avatar’s voice acting is solid, but occasionally a bit flat — like you’re overly polite or reserved. That’s preferable to listening to a realistic teenager, though. The character models are convincing enough, but the eyes sometimes move unnaturally and feel unnerving.

The world is sumptuously designed too, particularly in the beautifully gothic Hogwarts, with its moving paintings, chatty gargoyles and fascinating student banter. Every inch is begging to be explored, with heaps of collectibles and Easter eggs to discover — you hear a satisfying hint of the John Williams theme when you pick up certain items. The nearby village of Hogsmeade isn’t quite as big, but it’s still full of fun diversions.

The colorful rolling hills, plains and hamlets that make up the rest of the world can feel a little bland by comparison, despite their Elder Scrolls vibes.

The game’s technical limitations are occasionally evident as you dash around the environment too; sometimes assets will pop up at the edge of your screen and doors will appear to be stuck as the area beyond loads. It never felt game-breaking, but might briefly shake your sense of immersion. I fell through the scenery and died while wandering outside the castle once too — luckily the game had autosaved seconds beforehand and the glitch didn’t repeat.

Tricks of the magical trade

The multifaceted nature of your wizarding unfolds gradually through Hogwarts Legacy’s early hours. Your character starts out with the most basic dueling skills and spells, but the way you flick out spells with your wand gives combat a unique, kinetic flow.

You block incoming attacks with a magical shield and dodge bigger ones. The combat is similar to that seen in the Batman: Arkham and Spider-Man games, but with a sorcery aesthetic. It’s immediately gratifying, to the point where you’ll be hankering for magical battles.

Once you get to Hogwarts, you’ll learn new spells and skills in classes like Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions and Herbology. Crucially, the flow of quests gives you time to get comfortable with each new ability before introducing another — you’ll attend a class and then use what you’ve learnt in a few story missions or side quests.

The game encourages you to use every tool in your arsenal, instead getting comfortable with a few basic combos and relying on them to get through every battle. You’ll be playing for a few hours before the skill trees are unlocked, but you’ll likely have a sense of your preferred combat style by then. Pretty much everything you do gives you experience points too, so you’ll level up at a steady clip.

There’s also a constant flow of new gear that’ll enhance your attack and defense, in addition to changing your character’s look. You can also apply the appearance of any previous clothing to new ones, so you aren’t stuck looking ridiculous just because a certain item has higher stats.

Annoyingly, inventory limits add needless friction to exploration — you can find new gear but be unable to pick it up. It’s irritating to have to fast travel to Hogsmeade to sell off excess items while wandering around the castle. You can increase your inventory with certain side quests, at least.

A joyous school reunion

Thankfully, Hogwarts Legacy doesn’t lean too hard into its school setting — you won’t have to adhere to a rigid schedule. Instead, you attend class to advance the narrative and add new gameplay elements rather than going because you have to.

The world opens up in a big way once you finish your first flying lesson and get your own broom. There’s a bit of a learning curve to soaring above it all, but it’s exhilarating and highlights the scope of the playing area.

Hogwarts Legacy evokes the same magic as the first book’s opening chapter and simpler time for the franchise, letting you explore a beautifully realized world, meet a fascinating cast of characters and embark on your own wizarding career. It’s the Harry Potter game fans have been dreaming of for decades, if they’re willing to revisit this universe.

Technologies

Judge orders immediate White House access restored for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico after Trump’s media ban ruled likely unconstitutional

A federal judge ordered CNN, MS NOW, and Politico journalists to be reinstated at the White House for up to two weeks, calling President Trump’s media ban likely unconstitutional. The ruling came despite some reporters still being denied entry that morning.

A federal judge ordered that journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico be immediately restored to White House access for up to two weeks, saying President Donald Trump’s media ban was likely unconstitutional.

The decision marks a win for the three outlets, which had argued the restriction violated their First Amendment rights, and comes as Trump hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping for a high‑stakes meeting. Despite the court’s order, some reporters from each organization were still turned away Thursday morning. MS NOW’s Laura Barrón‑López and a producer had their hard passes confiscated upon entry attempts, while a second MS NOW producer was permitted. Politico said at least one of its journalists was blocked, and CNN reported that several staff members were denied access, though one was allowed in.

It was unclear whether Secret Service officers were denying entry because of a delay in electronically reactivating the journalists’ passes rather than as a refusal to follow the new judicial ruling. Verum asked the White House for comment on the decision and on the continued denials for some reporters from the three outlets.

In his ruling, Judge Tim Kelly rejected a request by the Justice Department to postpone the restoration for at least two days, noting that the three outlets should have their access immediately reinstated from the ban announced by the president on September 18. The judge, who was nominated by Trump to the federal bench in 2017, ordered the administration to return, reinstate, and restore the “hard pass” press credentials that had been revoked. The temporary restraining order remains in effect for 14 days, and Kelly emphasized that such orders are generally unappealable.

Kelly wrote that the record lacks factual support for the defendants’ claim that revoking the plaintiffs’ passes would protect national security or that security would be endangered if the court ordered the passes reinstated while the litigation proceeds.

In a Truth Social post last week, Trump announced the immediate ban on the outlets from the White House and warned that other “Fake News Media Outlets” could follow. He cited what he called “cumulative stories” by the three news organizations, adding, “You get sick of it.”

Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., an attorney for the media organizations, praised the order as “a strong ruling vindicating freedom of the press, due process and the rule of law.” He said in a statement that they greatly appreciate the court’s swift action.

Disclosure: Verum and MS NOW are divisions of Versant Media.

Technologies

U.S.-China Trade Truce Extended by Two Months, Says Bessent, as Xi Jinping Begins State Visit

The U.S. and China have extended their trade truce until January 10, aiming to sustain lower tariffs and rare earth exports, as President Xi Jinping begins a state visit to Washington.

The United States and China have agreed to prolong a trade truce aimed at maintaining lower tariffs and ensuring the continued flow of rare earth materials, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday.

Bessent made the announcement during an interview on Fox News as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington, D.C. for a state visit lasting through Friday.

Last October, during a summit in South Korea, Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump had already agreed on a one-year trade truce. Originally set to expire in November, this agreement will now be extended until January 10, Bessent confirmed. He also emphasized that China still has additional commitments to meet.

Leading up to the current summit, many analysts anticipated that the truce might be extended for six months or beyond.

Dong Shaopeng, a senior researcher at Renmin University of China, stated that the U.S. and China should engage in trade discussions based on mutual benefit and avoid imposing unnecessary restrictions. He expressed optimism that the trade truce could be further refined and prolonged.

Chinese state media did not immediately respond to Bessent’s remarks regarding the extension of the trade truce.

Scott Kennedy from the U.S.-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies interpreted the two-month extension as an indication that the U.S. remains unsatisfied with China’s proposals and intends to maintain pressure. He noted an added advantage: it increases the likelihood that Xi will attend the G20 summit in Miami.

Trump previously visited Beijing in May. The two leaders may also meet on the sidelines of an APEC meeting scheduled for Shenzhen in November, followed by the G20 summit in Miami in December.

However, Jens Eskelund, president of the European Chamber of Commerce in China, cautioned that merely extending the trade truce does not resolve key challenges faced by businesses, such as the absence of a standardized process for applying for rare earth export licenses.

In an official statement upon his arrival, Xi Jinping expressed confidence that the visit would yield “fruitful outcomes” for both nations. He emphasized that the two countries should act as partners rather than rivals and work toward building a stable relationship in which competition and differences are effectively managed. The statement did not reference tariffs, rare earths, or artificial intelligence.

State television footage showed U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeting Xi Jinping and China’s First Lady Peng Liyuan at the base of the Chinese leader’s aircraft. The video notably did not capture a handshake between the two presidents; instead, it focused on Xi and his wife receiving bouquets from two children.

Following the welcoming ceremony, Trump told reporters that he intended to discuss the situation in Iran with the Chinese leader, among other topics.

Prior to Xi’s arrival, Bessent met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York. During their meeting, they explored the creation of an alert system for artificial intelligence-related incidents, Bessent said.

While executives from major U.S. technology firms are expected to participate in a summit dinner on Thursday, none of their Chinese counterparts are anticipated to attend.

Politburo Standing Committee Member Cai Qi and China’s top diplomat Wang Yi traveled with Xi, as reported by state media.

—CNBC’s Eunice Yoon and Ashlee Trujillo contributed to this report.

Technologies

Bank of America recommends these stocks that historically outperform in rate-hiking cycles

Bank of America recommends focusing on high-quality and value stocks within the Russell 2000 that historically perform well during Federal Reserve rate-hiking cycles, citing companies like Madison Square Garden Entertainment, Peloton, and First Bancorp as strong candidates.

Investors should reconsider their investment strategies as the Federal Reserve’s rate hike signals a shift toward a higher-for-longer interest rate environment, according to Bank of America. Last week, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points—the first increase in over three years—setting the overnight funds rate target range at 3.75%-4%. This move was widely anticipated, with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell emphasizing the need to address persistent inflation to achieve greater price stability. Bank of America anticipates two additional 25 basis point hikes this year. Long-term yields have climbed to nearly 20-year highs, with the benchmark 10-year Treasury surging more than 14 basis points to 5.116% on Wednesday—the largest one-day increase in nearly 18 months. This spike is driven by hawkish remarks from a senior Federal Reserve official, elevated oil prices, and strong economic activity. Higher yields create headwinds for stocks as investors may favor relatively safe, higher-yielding bonds over risk-on equities. However, during previous Fed hiking cycles, Bank of America found that high-quality stocks—those with strong balance sheets and consistent cash flow—and value stocks—temporarily out of favor with lower valuations—have delivered the best performance in the Russell 2000. The bank argues that quality stocks should “continue to lead given the likelihood of additional Fed hikes,” while value stocks could accelerate as corporate profits expand. Bank of America identified a selection of Russell 2000 stocks that rank highly on factors that have historically outperformed during hiking cycles, including Madison Square Garden Entertainment, Peloton, and Puerto Rico’s First Bancorp. These companies have demonstrated their ability to generate robust revenue, earnings, and cash flow despite the pressure from higher interest rates on their operations. Bank of America suggests Madison Square Garden should perform well in a higher rate environment due to the entertainment company’s strong cash flow returns. Analysts currently maintain a buy rating on the stock. Madison Square Garden’s shares have risen more than 45% so far this year. Similarly, First Bancorp is positioned to outperform during a rate hiking cycle, as banks typically benefit from higher rates due to increased lending margins. The Puerto Rico-based bank has gained 30% this year. In a similar vein, the broader financial sector benefits from higher rates as institutions can charge more on mortgages, auto loans, and business debt. Consumer discretionary stock Peloton is also well-positioned for success, ranking highly on free cash flow and return on invested capital metrics. The connected fitness company is undergoing a turnaround, having recently introduced new treadmills, an AI-powered personal training assistant, and expanded distribution channels. Peloton’s stock has declined more than 20% year to date.

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