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Harry Potter: Wizards Unite

Harry Potter: Wizards Unite was an augmented reality (AR) mobile game developed by Niantic and WB Games San Francisco, and published by Niantic, under license from Portkey Games. The game is based on the Harry Potter series and part of the Wizarding World media franchise, created by J. K. Rowling. Wizards Unite begins as the player creates their avatar and starts their journey at the player's real world location. The player character engages with the world by casting spells, discovering artefacts and facing known characters and beasts of the Wizarding World universe.

Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)Niantic
SeriesWizarding World
Platform(s)Android, iOS
Release
  • April 17, 2019 (beta; NZ)
  • May 2, 2019 (beta; AUS)
  • June 20, 2019 (US, UK)
Genre(s)Augmented reality, location-based game
Mode(s)Single-player
Multiplayer (Fortress Challenges)

Development of Wizards Unite commenced in 2017. A beta version was released in New Zealand in April 2019, and in Australia in May 2019. It was launched for Android and iOS mobile devices on June 20, 2019. The game received mixed reviews from critics and won the Peoples' Voice Award for "Technical Achievements" at the 2020 Webby Awards. It was shut down in January 2022, after Portkey Games previously announced to end the service in November 2021.

Gameplay

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Harry Potter: Wizards Unite gameplay has been described as similar to that of Pokémon Go, with players able to view the gameplay world through a smartphone.[1] Players are able to visit real-world locations while casting spells, discovering mysterious artefacts, and encountering iconic characters and legendary beasts from the Harry Potter universe.[2] The game allows players to fight against mythical beasts from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchise.[3] Players may choose their wizarding house, their wand, and their profession: either Professor, Auror or Magizoologist.[4]

 
Players must physically travel to explore the game's map and visit fortresses (the two large towers), inns (building in foreground) and greenhouses (two small blue glasshouses).

After creating a game account, the player makes an avatar, whose location depends on the device's geographical location. The player then travels around the real world to find "confounded" items and creatures, and "unconfound" them. The player can also stop at inns (to replenish spell energy), greenhouses (to gain potion ingredients and grow new ingredients), and fortresses (to fight dark wizards and beasts). As the player moves within their real-world surroundings, their avatar moves within the game's map.

In April 2020, Wizards Unite introduced the Knight Bus which allows players to participate in magical challenges in virtual fortresses regardless of their physical location, an answer to the worldwide lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]

Development

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Development of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite commenced in 2017.[6] The game was officially announced on November 8, 2017, as an augmented reality mobile game developed by Niantic and WB Games San Francisco, with the former also acting as the publisher.[7] The game was ultimately published under the Portkey Games license.[2]

With Niantic's purchase of Escher Reality, the game was expected to implement new technology to allow for persistent worlds within AR.[8] On November 14, 2018, it was confirmed that the game would be released in 2019.[9]

On November 2, 2021, Portkey Games announced game would be shutting down, which happened at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 31, 2022.[10][11]

Release

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A first gameplay video for the game was released in March 2019, showing footage defending from a dementor, and being attacked by a werewolf.[12][13] On March 11, 2019, pre-registration on Google Play opened for the app as well as new in-game footage was released by Niantic.[14] On April 17, 2019, the game was beta released in New Zealand.[15] On April 24, 2019, an email was sent in error stating that the game would launch in Australia for beta testing.[16] On April 26, 2019, the game launched in Australia for beta testing. But several hours later, Niantic confirmed it was another mistake and it was taken down from the App Store. The game was re-released in Australia on May 2, 2019.[17] The game was released in the United States and the United Kingdom on June 20, 2019, a day earlier than previously announced, with additional countries expected to gain access in the days ahead.[18]

Reception

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According to review aggregator Metacritic, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite received "mixed or average" reviews, based on 15 reviews for iOS.[19] The game received the People's Voice Award for "Technical Achievement" at the 2020 Webby Awards,[24] while also being named as an Honoree for "Best Game Design" and a nominee for "Family & Kids".[25][26]

Revenue

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The game generated over US$12 million in revenue in its first month of release.[27] The game's total revenue was estimated at US$37 million by May 2021, with 20 million downloads.[28]

References

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  1. ^ Bellen-Serrano, Haydee (February 21, 2018). "'Harry Potter: Wizards Unite' will soon be released by the same developers of 'Pokemon Go'". Christian Today. Archived from the original on February 21, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Niantic, Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Announce Partnership for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, an Augmented Reality Mobile Game Inspired by J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World" (Press release). Niantic. November 8, 2017. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  3. ^ Kirwin, Ellen; Rodger, James (January 8, 2018). "Pokemon Go creators to release Harry Potter Wizards Unite game". Coventry Telegraph. Archived from the original on March 20, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  4. ^ Colby, Clifford (June 20, 2019). "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is Pokemon Go with magic wands". CNET. Archived from the original on March 11, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  5. ^ Gartenberg, Chaim (April 20, 2020). "Niantic's AR Harry Potter game has a cute solution to COVID-19 self-quarantines". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  6. ^ McWhertor, Michael (November 8, 2017). "Pokémon Go developer Niantic working on Harry Potter game". Polygon. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  7. ^ "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite FAQ". harrypotterwizardsunite.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  8. ^ Tassi, Paul (February 3, 2018). "Niantic's Latest Acquisition Has Big Implications For 'Pokémon GO'". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  9. ^ "First look at new logo for mobile game Harry Potter: Wizards Unite". Pottermore. November 13, 2018. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  10. ^ "Announcing the close of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite". harrypotterwizardsunite.com. November 2, 2021. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  11. ^ Gideon, Matthew (February 7, 2022). "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Shut Down". Business of Esports. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  12. ^ Phillips, Tom (March 11, 2019). "Hands-on with Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, the Pokémon Go follow-up Niantic wants to run for "decades"". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  13. ^ Heathman, Amelia (March 13, 2019). "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite - release date, trailer and all you need to know about the AR game touted as the next Pokémon Go". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on March 13, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  14. ^ Sholtz, Matthew (March 11, 2019). "Niantic's Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is available on the Play Store for pre-registration". Android Police. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  15. ^ Walker, Alex (April 17, 2019). "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Has Launched (In New Zealand)". Kotaku Australia. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  16. ^ Wright, Steve (April 24, 2019). "Harry Potter Wizards Unite beta will extend to Australia". Stevivor. Archived from the original on June 16, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  17. ^ "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite beta now live in Australia and New Zealand". harrypotterwizardsunite.com. May 1, 2019. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  18. ^ Pereira, Chris; Knezevic, Kevin (June 21, 2019). "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Mobile Game From Pokemon Go Makers Is Out Now For Free". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 23, 2019. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  19. ^ a b "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  20. ^ Dornbush, Jonathon (June 29, 2019). "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Review". IGN. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  21. ^ "Test du jeu Harry Potter : Wizards Unite". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). June 27, 2019. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  22. ^ Reiner, Andrew (July 19, 2019). "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Review - Gotta Zap 'em All". Game Informer. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  23. ^ Andriessen, CJ (March 19, 2023). "Review: Harry Potter: Wizards Unite". Destructoid. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  24. ^ Peters, Jay (May 20, 2020). "Here are all the winners of the 2020 Webby Awards". The Verge. Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  25. ^ "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite". Webby Awards. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  26. ^ Schaffstall, Katherine; Howard, Annie (April 28, 2020). "Webby Awards: Lizzo, Jennifer Garner, Hollywood Reporter Among Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  27. ^ Handrahan, Matthew (July 24, 2019). "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite's first month revenue lags far behind Pokémon Go". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  28. ^ Forde, Matthew (May 3, 2021). "Why Harry Potter: Wizards Unite failed to find the magic". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
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