There's a new Harry Potter-themed game climbing the charts. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery was released Wednesday in both the App Store and on Google Play for fans of the magical franchise. The game is available for download for users across iOS and Android devices.
The game, created by the company Jam City in collaboration with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment's Portkey Games, was ranked number two in the App Store's "adventure" category as of Wednesday morning. The app is free for both iOS and Android users, but does have some in-app purchases.
The game allows users to play as a Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry student and attend classes, learn spells, perform magic and much more alongside characters from the beloved Harry Potter franchise. The game takes place before the Harry Potter books or movies are set, but uses familiar themes from the saga, according to the game's website.
Actress Dame Maggie Smith, who played Professor Minerva McGonagall in seven of the eight films, said in a press release that her involvement with the game would bring her grandchildren joy.
But the game might have some competition later thus year. The creator of mobile sensation Pokémon Go, Niantic Labs, is also expected to launch a Harry Potter game some time in 2018.
Niantic's take on the world of Potter, called Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, is expected to be an augmented reality-based game that will merge the wizarding realm with the muggle world. Users will be able to explore their own neighborhoods, while the elements from the Harry Potter world appear on screen to guide them through the game.
Niantic, also collaborating with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, announced the plans for the game in November via a press release, but didn't give an official release date.
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