Harry Potter headed to mobile for interactive role-playing game

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has signed a licensing agreement with mobile games studio Jam City that will see the two firms partner to create Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, an official mobile app that will enable players to create their own characters and experience life as a Hogwarts student.

The game will launch under Warner Bros. Interactive’s Portkey Games, a new label dedicated to creating gaming experiences inspired by J.K. Rowling’s books. The app, which will be available on both Android and iOS, will let users participate in all the magical classes and activities that they have come to love from the world-famous series, with characters progressing as the experience student life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

“Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery is a mobile gaming experience inspired by J.K. Rowling’s spell-binding lore, and it will be an exciting, fun way for fans to experience the Wizarding World,” said David Haddad, president of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “It is great to work with Jam City on the game, as the company has a proven track record of bringing rich, beloved worlds to players of mobile entertainment.”

“What an honour it is for Jam City to develop a mobile game for one of the largest and most iconic brands in history,” said Chris DeWolfe, co-founder and CEO of Jam City. “As Harry Potter fanatics ourselves, we have great respect for the millions of people throughout the world who have followed the Harry Potter stories for more than 20 years.

“This game is a labour of love for our developers and artists, who are dedicated to creating the most magical entertainment and game play experience for everyone who adores J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World.”

Warner Bros. has kept a tight hold on the Harry Potter license when it comes to mobile apps, with relatively few official releases, but that policy may be changing. Last month, Pokémon Go creators Niantic announced they were working with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and WB Games to produce Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, an AR-focused entertainment app that would enable users to explore the real world to uncover magical creatures and experiences.

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