The company behind Pokémon Go are making a Harry Potter AR game
If you enjoyed spending countless hours stumbling through public parks late at night playing Pokémon Go, we’ve got good news for you: there’s a new game in the works.
Software company Niantic Labs is basing this new game on the universe of Harry Potter, an equally massive cultural obsession.
According to Tech Crunch, the augmented reality game will be called Harry Potter: Wizards Unite and it’s set for release in 2018.
It’s being co-developed by Warner Bros. Interactive and its new sub brand Portkey Games.
There’s obviously a huge amount of material for the AR game to tap into: finding magical creatures, casting spells or potentially even cool features like the Marauder’s Map.
“By exploring real-world neighbourhoods and cities across the globe, players will go on adventures, learn and cast spells, discover mysterious artifacts, and encounter legendary beasts and iconic characters,” said a press release about the new game, according to MobileSyrup.
“At Niantic, our goal is to leverage technology to create real world experiences that help people to discover the wonderful, and often magical parts of the world around them,” said John Hanke, founder and CEO of Niantic in a statement.
“With this game, we are allowing the passionate, worldwide fan base to experience J.K. Rowling’s deeply powerful and imaginative universe in a new, truly immersive way,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.
Fans were quick to embrace the news of the new Harry Potter AR game:
If there’s a Harry Potter game coming out similar to Pokémon Go… pic.twitter.com/USWuldtB2n
— Chronicles Of Nothing (@NonChron) November 8, 2017
OH MY GOSH IT’S REALLY HAPPENING!@NianticLabs‘s follow up to #PokemonGO?
HARRY. POTTER.https://t.co/WF8UAFhp1d pic.twitter.com/X0DbqBOH84
— Jason Inquires (@jasoninquires) November 8, 2017
And if they can repeat the popularity of Pokémon Go, this new game should also be a massive success.
We completely approve.