Summary
- Harry Potter, what is it?
- Harry Potter Wizards Unite: what is it?
- Harry Potter Wizards Unite: Pokémon Go with an RPG twist
- Harry Potter Wizards Unite: what fans are hoping for
- Harry Potter Wizards Unite: first video trailer
- Harry Potter Wizards Unite: price and release date
In July 2016, Niantic launched Pokémon Go, a mobile game destined to become a global phenomenon. Thanks to augmented reality, Pokémon Go has managed to bring the magic of Pokémon games to the real world.
A whole generation of nostalgic thirties (but also the youngest and the oldest) took to the road again in an attempt to become the best trainer and catch all Pokemon. The concept of Pokémon Go is simple, yet effective: superimposing virtual Pokémon on the real world environments filmed by the user's smartphone camera.
So, by making your imagination run a little, the player really has the impression that the little monsters appear in front of him, in his living room, in his garden, on the way to work or during a walk in the park. Likewise, high-traffic locations in a city are viewed in the game as arenas that players must conquer by sending their team of Pokémon into battle.
It did not take more to unleash passions and convince, for a summer, hundreds of thousands of people walk the streets with their noses screwed to their smartphone screens to find the greatest number of Pokémon.
To the chagrin of many marketers and other real estate developers who had capitalized on this phenomenal success, the Pokémon Go's fad quickly faded, and the general public quickly turned away from the game when autumn returned.
Nevertheless, Pokémon Go remains one of the most popular mobile games to this day on a daily basis, and updates follow one another to offer new features or add new generation Pokémon.
However, in order to expand its audience, it would appear that Niantic has decided to run another hugely popular franchise: Harry Potter, the famous saga of JK Rowling books, adapted for cinema through an equally famous film series produced by Warner Bros.
Harry Potter, what is it?
Before we go any further, it's worth remembering what Harry Potter is, in case you've been in a cave for the past 20 years. This 7-book saga, which began in 1997, has sold over 400 million copies in total. Including the 8 films, the 8 video games and the 400 official products, the Harry Potter brand value is estimated at over $ 25 billion.
This fantastic literary saga tells us the story of an abused young boy, who one day discovers that he is in fact a wizard. The young Harry Potter then begins his schooling at Hogwarts, the sorcerer's stone, and marks the beginning of a adventure full of magic, suspense, emotion and humor which has captivated readers all over the world.
Harry Potter Wizards Unite: what is it?
It is on this worldwide success that Niantic intends to bounce back for its next project, Harry Potter: Wizardz Unite. Officially announced in November 2017, Harry Potter Wizards Unite is Niantic's next mobile game, created in partnership with Warner Bros Interactive.
Just like Pokémon Go, this game will offer augmented reality features, and will also be based on the same AR platform developed by Niantic for Pokémon Go and Ingress. Obviously, we will find many similarities with the two previous games of the developer. However, NIantic has already announced that this new title will offer completely new technologies and mechanics.
As in Ingress and Pokémon Go, the game will inspire players to explore the real world and uncover secrets using the camera on their smartphones. Geolocation will be used to locate the player in the real world.
Until March 2019, very little information had been released about Harry Potter Wizards Unite. It has been confirmed that the players will have the task of discovering and confronting fantastic creatures using spells. Users will have the pleasure of meeting characters from the universe of the saga. Of course, as wizards, players will also have the opportunity to learn spells and use them in battle.
The social dimension of Ingress and Pokémon Go will also be preserved, and it will be possible to team up with other players to overcome formidable opponents. As they progress, players will discover new artifacts and become increasingly powerful wizards.
As in the previous two games, it can also be assumed that players will have to choose between several rival factions. Presumably they will be brought to choose between the four houses of Hogwarts, the wizarding school: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Sepentard (unless the Sorting Hat is responsible for choosing for them…).
As part of the development of this game, Warner Bros. has created a brand new publishing label called Portkey Games. This label will actively work on the development of Harry Potter Wizards Unite, but will also develop other games based on the Harry Potter universe for console and mobile in the years to come.
Wizards Unite will be the first game in this collection. It is not known for the moment what will be the nature of the link which will unite these different games. Shortly after the game was officially announced, Niantic raised funds to the tune of $ 200 million. We can therefore expect this game to be much more successful and complete than Pokémon Go.
Harry Potter Wizards Unite: Pokémon Go with an RPG twist
At the beginning of March 2019, Niantic finally let the press around the world discover Harry Potter Wizards Unite. The opportunity to learn a lot more about the game.
So, as expected, the title is very similar to Pokémon Go. The game map matches the real world, and real world POIs allow you to collect virtual items.
The scenario takes place in the midst of a crisis, shortly after the events of the seventh book in the series, and players must prevent the non-magical world from discovering the magical world. The player takes on the role of a new recruit to the Magic Secret Code Task Force.
Its mission is to investigate and contain the Calamity that is hitting the Wizarding World. To do this, it will be a matter of collecting artifacts and fighting against the magical creatures that threaten to be revealed in full force because they have been mysteriously moved.
The main objective of the player is to collect various artifacts, but also save iconic characters of the saga when they find themselves in a delicate situation. To do this, you will have to indulge in a mini-game consisting of drawing shapes to perform an incantation.
This will allow you to obtain an item to free the character. The objects and characters can then be added to a collector's book. The player gains experience points, and level up.
However, the game turns out to be much more complex than Pokémon Go. RPG elements have been added, and the player will need to spend time leveling up their character. He will also have to choose a "profession", in the spirit of the class system found in almost all RPGs. It will thus be possible learn new abilities to choose from a talent tree.
Once ready for battle, the player can then join up to 5 comrades to fight in a Fortress. Fortresses will be the equivalent of Pokémon Go arenas. These turn-based Wizarding Challenges team battles are particularly strategic, and are reminiscent of the tactical RPG genre. They will allow you to obtain rarer magic rewards.
As in RPGs, it will also be possible to brew potions to increase stats or recover health during the fighting. All over the place, inns will allow you to replenish energy from spells and magic ingredients for potions (the equivalent of Poké-Stops in Pokémon Go).
You will understand: unlike Pokémon Go, this new title aimed more at seasoned gamers than the general public. However, there is no doubt that Harry Potter fans will also find their account there.
Harry Potter Wizards Unite: what fans are hoping for
For now, little information has been released about Harry Potter Wizards Unite. However, nothing prevents trying to imagine what we can find in the game. In addition, you should know that in 2015, a game called Maguss was launched thanks to the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo. This game already combined augmented reality and wizardry, so we can expect Harry Potter: Wizards Unite to borrow several ideas from this warmly received project.
Like Harry Potter and his wizarding schoolmates during their schooling, he is likely that players will learn new spells as they progress through the game. This point was confirmed by the reveal of a class system and ability tree.
It is also possible that some spells are rarer than others, and are obtained by completing special objectives. For example, players could get the strongest spells by fighting fearsome creatures or rarely spawning monsters.
- rare spells could also be obtained by going to specific locations, and why not at specific times. Remember that, recently, Pokémon Go takes into account the weather in the real world. It is also possible that these spells can be obtained during one-off events, like the legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Go.
Using spells, the goal of the game will undoubtedly be to fight monsters, mythical creatures and other minions of Voldemort. We can also expect the implementation of a system of duels, allowing players to compete against each other.
This system will certainly take several mechanics from the Pokémon Go arena system. The clashes would therefore take place at fixed locations, but it is also possible that the players are able to face the other users that they will cross on their way. These duels will undoubtedly offer a tactical dimension, forcing players to choose which spells they use strategically. We can also dream of great battles between the players of the different houses of Hogwarts.
Le smartphone could even be used directly as a magic wand, which the user should wave in specific ways to send such and such a spell. It is also possible that Niantic offers additional accessories as a magic wand, like the Pokémon Go Plus bracelet. Thus, the player could keep his phone in view and use his Bluetooth connected wand to cast spells.
Besides the spells, players may be asked to make potions using collected ingredients at various locations in the real world. Users would then be encouraged to go for a walk in the forest, at the edge of lakes or in other places conducive to beautiful walks in order to find precious resources to mix to create beverages with various effects. The potions crafting system has also been confirmed.
Another welcome feature in Harry Potter: Wizards Unite would be thethe presence of hidden places, secret passages, emblematic of the famous literary saga. For example, by pointing their smartphone camera at the wall of a train station, the player could discover the entrance to the station that leads to Hogwarts.
By observing the world through the screen of his smartphone, the player could also discover a magical world tinged with fairy elements and populated by fantastic creatures. The possibility of rediscover its neighborhood redecorated in Harry Potter style would be extremely pleasant. In March 2019, Niantic confirmed that “Portkeys” portals will allow visitors to visit iconic places in the wizarding world.
While dreaming a little, we can also imagine a kind of Quidditch simulator, turning users' bicycles and motorcycles into flying brooms, but the number of road accidents linked to the game could be even more significant than those linked to Pokémon Go. And you, what do you expect from the game Harry Potter : Wizards Unite?
Harry Potter Wizards Unite: first video trailer
In November 2018, a first video trailer was unveiled for Harry Potter Wizards Unite. We discover a player using a spell to immobilize a Quidditch Snitch. The growl of a mysterious creature is heard, and a poster appears calling for help to all wizards in the world as the first notes of the main theme of the Harry Potter films are heard.
This trailer suggests that the game will offer voice recognition features. The scenario should also occupy an important place, and players will have to join forces to face a great threat ...
Harry Potter Wizards Unite: price and release date
In an interview with the Financial Times, Niantic CEO John Hanke announced that the game would launch in the second half of 2018. However, in November 2018, the game was finally pushed back to 2019.
Harry Potter Wizards Unite is finally available for pre-order on the Android Play Store since March 11, 2019. The launch should therefore take place shortly. The pre-order button for the iOS App Store has not yet appeared, but should also be added very quickly.
Regarding the price, Harry Potter Wizards Unite will most certainly be offered for free on iOS and Android. However, the presence of In-App purchases seems inevitable. Let's hope all the same that these purchases are not essential to progress in the game.
Regarding the price, Harry Potter Wizards Unite will most certainly be offered for free on iOS and Android. However, the presence of In-App purchases seems inevitable. Let's hope all the same that these purchases are not essential to progress in the game.
