A new mobile game based on author J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World released its first trailer today. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery will allow inspiring wizards to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where they can live out their fantasies as a student of magic.
Developed by Jam City, in partnership with Warner Bros., Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery is a roleplaying game, where players can create personalized avatars, attend classes, make friendships, and do just about everything fans of Harry Potter would expect. It will also include a story that will be influenced by player decisions.
The trailer is short and provides just a glimpse at what players can expect from the title. The graphics are about what you'd expect from a mobile game, though possibly a few years behind the curve. As a student, there will be an assortment of familiar faces to interact with at Hogwarts, primarily the professors and staff, which was previously mentioned when Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery was revealed by Warner Bros. last month. Currently, it's shooting for a 2018 release.
The title will launch under Portkey Games, a new label by Warner Bros. Interactive that is committed to "creating gaming experiences inspired by the magic and adventures of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World." Those who follow Pottermore, the official site for all things Harry Potter, might have come across a post heralding this new series of mobile titles.
Let us point out that Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery is not to be confused with Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, another upcoming mobile game from the developers of Pokemon GO. With this new title, Niantic is sticking to its forte: ARG games. If done well, it should provide an immersive experience, allowing players to feel like they're casting spells in the real world.
The company announced Harry Potter: Wizards Unite last month, where it assured players who are familiar with Pokemon GO's development issues that its team has learned a lot from its experiences. Niantic promised a smooth release for the mobile title in 2018.
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery will release some time in 2018 for iOS and Android.