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( © Niantic)

'Wizards Unite' for the Epic New Harry Potter Augmented Reality Game!

Written by Katie Marzullo. Published: June 20 2019

 

Wands in the air if you need more Harry Potter content. Wands higher if you were one of the millions who became obsessed with Pokémon GOwhen it hit app stores 3 Summers ago.

 

Well, good news for you guys, because Niantic, the masterminds behind the insanely popular augmented reality game, and WB Games are teaming up to release the long-awaited Harry Potter version calledWizards Unite!

 

Earlier this week, myself and a few other Potterheads had the pleasure of gathering at Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood to get a first look at this exciting new AR game in a presentation hosted by none other than Tiffany Haddish! SHE READY… to get her expecto patronumon!

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                        (© Katie Marzullo)

 

We then had the opportunity to check out a test version of the game on our phones, and lemme tell ya… I was very confused. Look, I never played Pokémon GO, so I am already at a disadvantage when it comes to these AR games, BUT I can tell you that the graphics are fantastic and that there is A LOT to sink your teeth into. The concept of the game revolves around the player helping out the Ministry of Magic to collect a series of missing magical objects, while fighting off Death Eaters and other baddies and helping other wizards out in the process. During my beta-test of the game, I was able to rescue Hagrid from being trapped in a giant spider’s web and (presumably) moments from being devoured by his beloved Aragog’s (ungrateful) offspring. And just this morning, I saved a Ravenclaw student from Devil’s Snare and a Flesh-Eating Slug from a Troll... without even having to leave my office. Whew!

 

 

 

Each day, the app refreshes and presents you with a list of goals, or Daily Assignments, to complete in order to level up. The main map screen shows you locations in your immediate area where you can potentially complete these tasks. Looks like I have some scouting to do on my lunch break today:

 

 

 

If you’re not convinced by my screencaps, then check out this pretty epic launch video below:

 

 

 

The game will be released to the public TOMORROW (June 21), so wands at the ready and get out there and kick some Dark Wizard butt!