Niantic/WB GamesYou might have read the books, seen the films and bought the wand but now Harry Potter fans can experience magic like never before as an augmented reality game brings the Wizarding World to life.
Eight years after the release of the final film, the hype around Harry Potter is still as big as ever.
Practically the entire landscape of the series has been recreated in various theme parks and attractions across the world, and thousands of tourists walk away every day decked out in house cloaks and scarves, carrying broomsticks and chocolate frogs in an attempt to get themselves that bit closer to Hogwarts.
Warner Bros. Fans will no doubt be relieved to know soon it won’t cost a fortune to fulfil the Harry Potter fantasy as Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, a new mobile augmented reality game from the creators of Pokémon Go, is coming to Android and iOS devices this Friday, June 21.
In the game, much like in Pokémon Go, players will explore the muggle world using their phone, however there will be signs of magic and sightings of Harry Potter characters incorporated along the way.
According to Business Insider, players will take on the role of a new wizard recruit who is working with the Statute of Secrecy Task Force.
The secrecy of the wizarding world is still under threat! This time with a Hippogriff busting through a Muggle structure! #WizardsUnite https://t.co/XTiQxa0794 pic.twitter.com/j4uAWzVBe7
— Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (@HPWizardsUnite) May 22, 2019
The task force is responsible for solving the mystery of the Calamity, a major event which scattered magical artifacts and creatures all over the world.
Who knows, you might just stumble upon the Mirror of Erised while on your way to a lecture, or the sword of Gryffindor while at the checkout of the supermarket.
The game is being released by Niantic as a follow up to the popular augmented reality game Pokémon Go, which saw members of the public wandering the streets desperately trying to catch ’em all.
Take a closer look at the #WizardsUnite logo – recognise that trio of wands? https://t.co/prWlSGRCww pic.twitter.com/FuY8zmJGt5
— Pottermore (@pottermore) November 14, 2018
The company announced it was partnering with WB Games to work on Wizards Unite in November 2017 and after months of waiting the release date was finally confirmed at an event hosted by comedian Tiffany Haddish on June 18.
Although the new game will start rolling out in the UK and US on Friday, it’s unclear how long it will take to reach a global audience. A tweet from the official Wizards Unite account simply tells gamers to ‘keep your eyes peeled and wand ready for more information as the game goes live in your region soon.’
The worldwide launch of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite begins this Friday, June 21! Keep your eyes peeled and wand ready for more information as the game goes live in your region soon. #WizardsUnite pic.twitter.com/ckk4s4mi8a
— Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (@HPWizardsUnite) June 19, 2019
Hopefully the game will be available worldwide soon because I think I know how Harry Potter fans are going to be spending their days following its release!
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.