Although “Pokémon Go”
continues to see active play around the world on mobile devices since it
debuted back in 2016, the primary developers of the Nintendo-branded game
spinoff at Niantic could still remember the epic numbers the app pulled on its
first few months, in terms of players and in-game transactions. They have since
developed a new mobile app based on J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros.’ “Harry
Potter” franchise, which started releasing last Friday. Based on whether or not
Niantic’s latest project could take off with the mobile gaming community, the
earliest signs point to eager players and revenue earning.
Gamespot reports
that “Harry Potter: Wizards Unite” is shaping up to be a new mobile app success
for Niantic with another major licensed franchise. The game officially debuted on
the major markets of the US and UK last June 21, following beta tests on
Australia and New Zealand in months past. Gameplay for the new title borrows
common elements from “Pokémon Go.” But rather than just catching
randomly appearing pocket monsters on the GPS-synched overworld map, players of
“Wizards Unite” must work to keep secret the Wizarding World from Muggles. And
the first 24 hours of release has seen 400,000 game installations on both
Google Play and App Store.
Based strictly on numbers, that
is not quite as beefy as the first few days of ““Pokémon Go.” And that includes the
revenue side. Where the 2016 mobile juggernaut pulled $2 million in its first
official day, “Wizards Unite” only managed $300,000. But in comparison to the
average app release it is still a hefty gross for Niantic. It helps perhaps
that Apple is currently putting the app front and center on its iOS App Store.
Add the universal appeal for the fictional universe created by Rowling and
brought to cinemas by Warner Bros., and the rest is easy player recognition.
“Harry Potter: Wizards Unite” casts
players in the role of Witches and Wizards around the world. Normally living
secretly and separately from non-magical “Muggles” (British) or “No-Majes”
(American), they are roped in by magical ministries to help with a breakout of
secrecy violations that threaten to expose magic to the world. Players must
capture magical creatures (a la Pokémon), battle Dark Wizards and dispel
conspicuous magic phenomenon they find in the game world. “Wizards Unite” also
takes place during the epilogue of “Harry Potter,” with an adult Harry, Hermione
and other characters appearing to give advice and tips to players.
Not everything is perfect though. Forbes has it that some players are iffy
on the “Energy” gameplay mechanic. One Energy point is expended for every
action, with recovery available only upon level-ups and resting at game inns
(like the Poke-stops).
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