Next year, the augmented reality game for Harry Potter fans “Wizards Unite” will be released. Why does such an announcement cause mixed feelings among fans?
Harry Potter fans can already look forward to 2018. A smartphone game is being developed for them that aims to entertain them on the go. Similar to Pokémon GO, the game will interact with the real world. But that’s not the only similarity to the Pokémon game. Players are concerned.
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite – What is it about?
The next step in the development of augmented reality games is expected to be “Harry Potter: Wizards Unite”. Have you ever dreamed of being able to cast spells in real life? With the new game and the magical world of J.K. Rowling, that dream might just come true.
In Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, you learn various spells as a player. You explore the real world, ally with other wizards, and fight together against legendary beasts and other strong opponents.
The game is expected to utilize existing AR features but also introduce new features and gameplay mechanics.
Niantic develops Harry Potter: Wizards Unite for 2018
On the evening of November 8, we received news that Niantic is working on a new AR game. The Harry Potter game is being developed in collaboration with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and WB Games San Francisco.
Niantic is the developer responsible for Pokémon GO since summer 2016, which has ignited a huge hype around the world. Pokémon GO is a particularly successful AR game that attracts millions of players.
“AR” stands for augmented reality. In Pokémon GO, that means you search for PokéStops in the real world, and the Pokémon appear in your immediate surroundings (on your phone display). Similar interactions with the real world are expected for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.
In a blog post, Niantic explains: “About five years ago, we released Ingress, our first augmented reality game for mobile devices. Streets, neighborhoods, and real-world locations became a global game board where players can play together.”
Ingress incentivizes players to explore, stay fit, and fosters social interaction. Pokémon GO has taken this entire vision to a whole new level. Now Niantic is planning the next game, which already has a huge community worldwide.
Pokémon GO fans fear for Harry Potter
The news about the new Harry Potter game has caused a negative sentiment among many Pokémon GO players. Lately, some players have been increasingly dissatisfied with the developers at Niantic.
Pokémon GO is plagued by issues such as
- insufficient communication regarding EX Raids,
- issues with the GO Plus gadget,
- too few playing opportunities for trainers in rural areas
And those are not all the problems. There are frequent complaints about Pokémon GO. Players claim that the game is heading in the wrong direction. On social media, trainers state: “Niantic should fix Pokémon GO first before starting a new game!”
Many players are now wondering whether Niantic is up to the challenge of managing another game. There are fears that Harry Potter: Wizards Unite will bring similar issues as Pokémon GO and upset the community. Some fans are afraid of that.
Will you play Harry Potter: Wizards Unite? Do you believe Niantic can handle it?
