Niantic, maker of the phenomenon real-world AR game Pokémon Go, has teamed with Warner Bros. to make a spiritual successor – Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.

Anyone remember the summer of 2016? An innocent time. A happy time. Filled with the sound of everyone and their mum trying to Catch ’em All.

We’re referring of course to the millions — literally millions — of Pokémon Go players taking to the streets, backwoods and alleys in search of ever elusive pocket monsters to capture.

Released in July 2016, the augmented reality game Pokémon Go, by former Google company Niantic, took the world by storm. Building on a foundation laid by Ingress, the studio’s previous transmedia AR game, Go took the real world as mapped out on Google Maps, and superimposed an addictive experience that encouraged people to explore through the lens of their smartphone.

Now, capitalizing on the platform it created and widespread recognition for what mobile AR gaming looks like, Niantic has swapped anime creatures and Pokéballs for wands and wizards with the announcement of its next big thing – Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. In a release Niantic claims the game will be “announced” in 2018. Whether this means the game will see the light of day in 2018 or beyond, remains to be seen.

You’re a Wizard Harry

You could argue that the release of Pokémon Go was a watershed moment for augmented reality. Even though it wasn’t the first real-world AR game, Pokémon Go motivated people to take to the streets like no other. And that was based purely on the nostalgia factor of a children’s TV show.

For Harry Potter: Wizards Unite we expect a similar reaction.

Niantic explains the premise of Wizards Unite in a release: “By exploring real-world neighborhoods and cities across the globe, players will go on adventures, learn and cast spells, discover mysterious artifacts, and encounter legendary beasts and iconic characters.”

It practice, the game sounds like it will take cues from both of Niantic’s previous mobile games. Combining real-world exploration with fantastical elements superimposed and some element of competitiveness. It could be the closest we’ll get to a real-life Harry Potter experience. Without going to the excellent studio tour in the UK, that is.

There’s scant further detail about how the game will work. Though we’ll be disappointed if it’s not possible to join one of the Hogwarts houses. Niantic, take note!

Source: Niantic