In July of 2016, a small team of developers rolled out a small game, called Pokemon Go. After being teased for months, the game rolled out worldwide onto phones and tablets all around the world. What would ensue is a phenomenon that no one expected. Pokemon Go essentially took the world, and culture as we know it, by storm.
Within the first month, millions had downloaded the game and set off on their own quest to be Pokemon masters. Using GPS positioning and augmented reality, millions stepped outside in their pursuit to be the very best that no one ever was.
Players stormed their local parks, shopping malls, public beaches, and city streets to hunt for Pokemon. Players would engage in battle at digital gyms and rush into their environment to capture elusive Pokemon. Gamers, national parks, and even local business benefitted from Pokemon Go.
While the game hasn’t achieved the insane levels of hype and activity since its initial launch, Pokemon Go is still going strong amongst players. Following up Pokemon Go’s success, Niantic Games is looking to deliver the same level of Augmented Reality excitement with some different mechanics and an entirely different world.
From Niantic Games comes Harry Potter: Hogwarts mystery.
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery is a brand new mobile game where players will be young wizards-in-training at the illustrious Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Players will be thrust into a world filled with magic, adventure, courage, and great evil.
Not too much is known about Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, other than what is demonstrated in the trailer above. Players will recruit allies, face off against rivals, and go to school with the very memorable professors of the Harry Potter universes, such as Professor Snape and Hagrid. Much of the game still remains under wraps.
There is no knowledge if players will encounter Death Eaters, evil creatures, or the Dark Lord himself Lord Voldemort. However, an enriching Harry Potter experience is to be expected. Warner Bros Interactive formed a brand new team dedicated to creating fulfilling digital experiences in the Harry Potter universe, called Portkey Games.
Named after the tool that gets wizards from one location to the next instantly, Portkey Games has full access to the Harry Potter property and will be able to translate the lore and mythology into the new game. They will be working with Niantic Games on the development of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery.
Look for Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery on Android and iOS devices to arrive sometime this year.