Niantic is a fan of augmented reality, and has found success in games like Ingress, and, most triumphantly, Pokémon GO. And now the developer has a new game on the way, this one based on the massively popular Harry Potter franchise.
Update: Turns out Niantic couldn’t wait any longer, and the newest augmented reality mobile game is now available in the App Store. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is now available for iOS devices. It’s a free download, but in-app purchases are also available.
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Niantic’s AR title based on Harry Potter was first reported about in November of 2017. The plan at the time was to have the game release sometime in 2018. However, that didn’t quite pan out. But now we have a more concrete release date, and for fans of the franchise who have been looking forward to the new AR game, it’s right around the corner.
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite will officially launch on Friday, June 21, for both iOS and Android devices. It will be available in the United States and the United Kingdom at launch. The announcement was made with a new trailer for the game published on YouTube:
You can’t pre-order the new game just yet, but there is a landing page for it in the App Store.
Players will be able to unlock 360-degree views of iconic locations from the films as they play the game. They will also be able to collect Portkeys.
Niantic described the game’s structure back in March:
As you step outside and explore the world, the Map will reveal Traces of magic, highlighting the location of magical Foundables. While these Traces can be found all around you, certain Foundables may be more likely to appear at various types of real-world locations including parks, banks, municipal buildings, college campuses, libraries, monuments, zoos, art galleries, and more. Cast a variety of spells to overcome the Confoundable magic, keep the magical Foundables safe, and send them back to the wizarding world. By returning Foundables, you’ll earn unique rewards that can be tracked in the game Registry.
As you cast spells, you’ll consume Spell Energy. Be sure to regularly stop by Inns, found at Muggle locations around the world, to collect food and drinks that replenish your Spell Energy. While exploring, you’ll also come across ingredients that can be used to brew Potions, which will aid you in different aspects of your Wizarding World journey. These ingredients can be found on the Map, varying by the environment, weather, and time of day, as well as in specially designated Greenhouses.
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite launches on Friday. Are you looking forward to the AR game?