We'll All Be Wizards When Niantic's AR Harry Potter Game Launches In 2018

Niantic, Warner Bros, and Portkey Games are teaming up for a game that may inspire us to get outside again.

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Pokemon Go is a mobile heavy-hitter than introduced the masses to AR with a very simple form of integration. Niantic continues to reap the rewards of its social creature-hunting experience, but has its sights on another major franchise next. Announced today, Niantic and Warner Bros have teamed up for a Harry Potter AR game that will launch in 2018.

The new game, as reported by Techcrunch, is called Harry Potter: Wizards Unite and will be co-developed by Warner Bros Interactive and Portkey Games. There aren't any concrete details on what type of AR experience this will be but, when looking at "Unite" in the title, Niantic will likely try to capitalize on social engagement and utilize the company's map database to get wizards out into the streets in droves like Pokemon Go did for trainers at launch.

Hopefully, Niantic has learned a great deal during the life of Pokemon Go. It's been a roller coaster for the company and players of Pokemon Go alike, but the potential for a worldwide hit themed after the Potterverse is immense. What would you like to see in an AR game based on Harry Potter?

Charles Singletary Jr keeps the updates flowing as the News Editor, breaking stories while investigating the biggest topics in gaming and technology. He's pretty active on Twitter, so feel free to reach out to him @The_CSJR. Got a hot tip? Email him at Charles.Singletary@Shacknews.com.

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