'Harry Potter: Wizards Unite' News: Niantic Confirms AR-Game Based on JK Rowling's Novels in the Pipeline
After all the rumors and speculations, it is finally confirmed that a "Harry Potter" game is in the works.
When the popular Niantic game "Pokemon GO" was released in July last year, rumors claiming that a "Harry Potter" game similar to "Pokemon GO" was being developed started circulating online. While many fell for and got excited over the unconfirmed reports, it was later revealed that those talks were nothing more than rumors.
Despite it, many "Harry Potter" fans refused to give up on their clamor for a "Harry Potter GO" game. In fact, many launched a petition asking several gaming studios to make the game a reality. Just when everybody thought that there was no more chance for a "Harry Potter GO" game to come into fruition, it is now confirmed that Niantic is, indeed, working on a "Harry Potter" AR (augmented reality) game to be called "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite."
"With 'Harry Potter: Wizards Unite,' players that have been dreaming of becoming real life Wizards will finally get the chance to experience J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World. Players will learn spells, explore their real world neighborhoods and cities to discover & fight legendary beasts and team up with others to take down powerful enemies," said Niantic CEO John Hanke in the company's official blog post, confirming the existence of the game.
While the game is now official, details about "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite" remain scarce. However, it is suspected that the game has been influenced by another Niantic game, "Ingress," which enables players to collect power-ups by roaming in the real world, defending their locations, and exploring their environment. And, just like "Pokémon GO," it is also speculated that the game will incorporate real-world locations into the in-game experience.
"Harry Potter: Wizards Unite" is slated to arrive in 2018, although Niantic has yet to attach an official release date for the game.
