Niantic Teases Harry Potter: Wizards Unite in New Trailer

Wizards, ready your wands. While a firm release date is still out of grasp, Niantic, Inc. has released a new trailer for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, the new Pokemon Go-esque augmented reality mobile game that requires players to step out into the real world.

Niantic, Inc., the creators of Pokemon Go, have teamed up with WB Games San Francisco to develop the game, and have already begun beta testing in New Zealand and Australia. The game will include content and characters from both the original Harry Potter series and the Fantastic Beasts films.

“For the first time, you’ll soon embark on your own Wizarding World adventure together with friends in the real world,” Niantic explains.

The trailer is presented in the form of an emergency broadcast from the Ministry of Magic that explains the premise of the forthcoming Harry Potter game. Chaos dubbed “The Calamity” in the Wizarding World has caused artifacts, creatures and characters called “Foundables” to appear in the muggle world, threatening to expose magic to muggles.

Players explore the world around them as new recruits of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force, established by the Ministry of Magic in order to stop The Calamity.

“Witches and wizards from across the globe must come together to solve the mystery of The Calamity, overcome the confounding chaotic magic that surrounds these ‘Foundables,’ and return them to their rightful place, keeping them safe from Muggle eyes,” per Niantic.

Players will follow a map revealing traces of magic that may lead to the Foundables that have been hidden in public places. By learning and performing spells, they can send the Foundables back to their homes in the wizarding world.

But casting spells consumes spell energy, so players must stop by “Inns” at certain muggle locations to collect Harry Potter-themed foods and drinks to replenish their energy. Players can also find ingredients tailored to the environment, weather and time of day in their area to brew potions, or Portmanteaus and Portkeys to step into iconic wizarding world locations like Ollivander’s Wand Shop in 360-degree immersive augmented reality.

Players can also test their combat skills at “Fortresses” that host Wizarding Challenges, allowing real-time multiplayer battles against Death Eaters and Werewolves. They can also specialize in magical professions by becoming aurors, magizoologists and professors, each with their specific skills that come in handy at different times.

Pre-registration for the game is now available on Google Play. The new trailer for the game can be found below.