In what must feel like a nonstop loop of Harry Potter and Wizarding World news to the Muggles of the world. In the past two weeks, we’ve had a look at a new ride at Universal Orlando, but no actual reveal. We also had the final trailer drop for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. For non-Potter fans, it’s a lot. Luckily, I’m a huge Potter fan, so it’s been a good time.
Now, it looks like a Harry Potter video game may be in development at Warner Bros. and Avalanche. Rumors have swirled for some time, but a recent leaker on Reddit may have spilled the beans on the project. According to Variety, the footage of the game appears to be relatively far along in the process. We’re still talking pre-Beta, but with the mechanics of the game getting fleshed out, we may find ourselves in Hogwarts in a game that feels awfully reminiscent to the Fable and Knights of the Old Republic franchises. Color me extremely interested.
The Reddit User, VapeThisBro, also got away with the synopsis to the game. Straight up, this gives me a ton of flags in both legitimizing the game and making me believe it doesn’t exist at all. So first up, why would I believe it? Because 1) Warner Brothers already took down the footage. When I reached the Variety article, the post had been live for 23 minutes. The YouTube Clip was gone. 2) Demand was clearly high and viral component will now make people seek it out. 3) It feels as if Warner Bros. is faking the leak, gauging quick interest, and then boom, we get the announcement in the coming months with a far more complete game. Perhaps in the next six weeks when 4) a new movie is due to hit theaters… 5) This tactic is not unprecedented. Remember the leaked Deadpool that definitely did not come from Ryan Reynolds?
Second, this also makes me question if any of this is real at all. I’m not going to lie, I’ve been burned on this kind of thing before. I’ll give credit to the indie gamers of the world, who can mock up something like this. We’ve seen fan trailers that felt real. The same goes for video games, and frankly, the two images we get are not overly unique. The character customization screen is perhaps the easier of the two to fake. Hundreds of these exist across hundreds of games. There also seems to be a battle sequence or at least a blown up bridge. Looks dope, but the mechanics for the hundreds of spells the game will need could be tough. That said, there were dozens of gadgets in each of the Arkham franchise games. Same goes for Skyrim, Fallout and other massive RPGs in the world today. This could be accomplished with relative ease.
Overall, I’m not sure this game exists. But in my heart, I’m going to believe it does. That makes this one of my most anticipated upcoming games, and as a Harry Potter nerd, I’ve been begging for this game for years. We got a taste of an open world Wizarding World game with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix game, as well as the first three official games of the movies. Hell, even Lego Harry Potter delivered on some of these goods. But give me the ability to become a Dark Wizard? I’m definitely in for this.
Here’s the (unofficial) synopsis promised above:
“Set in the 19th Century (1800’s) Wizarding World, this 3rd person open-world action RPG game centers around your character with unique abilities who has eared (sic) a late acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You are a newly arrived 5th year student to Hogwarts that demonstrates a latent gift for magic with a unique ability to track and identify remnants of a pottant (sic) ancient power.
Upon arrival, strange events begin to materialize In the Forbidden Forrest and trouble begins o (sic) brew within the castle walls. Together with Professor Elezar Fig, you embark on a journey through both familiar and never before seen locations to bring to light the truth behind these mysterious occurrences.
On your quest you will craft potions, master new spells, and discover fantastical beasts. You will battle Dark Wizards, Goblins, and other supernatural enemies and uncover the truth about your destiny – the Fate of the Wizarding World lies in your hands.
FEATURES
– Journey to Hogwarts to become one of 8 different Wizard types
-Experience Hogwarts, make new friends, uncover new secrets, and change the fate of the Wizarding world.
-Experience a new magic system that creates countless possibilities to master magic.
-Freely explore the Wizarding World for the first time, Choose your house and friends at Hogwarts, and decide to pursue a path of good or evil.
-Create your own witch or wizard, and experience a (sic) all new story separate from the books or films.
One last bit of pure speculation. Dumbledore attended Hogwarts in the 19th century. Which also means Grindelwald is somewhere in the world. Also other Dumbledores, Gaunts, Potters, and Blacks (Phineas Nigellus Black becomes Hogwarts Headmaster until 1925). Even if we don’t get some of the fan favorite characters, still expect some links to the larger Wizarding World.
Will it be for the xbox and playstaition