Niantic tests out ‘Harry Potter: Wizards Unite’ in Australia and NZ

The Harry Potter universe is getting its take of an AR location-based game ala Pokémon Go. But for now it’s being beta tested in Australia and New Zealand. The Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in both countries. But it must be noted that since this is a beta version, the available features, languages, design, and perhaps even the game’s overall look could change depending on what the beta players say. And as expected, there could be bugs and glitches within the game.

Harry Potter: Wizards Unite finds players as new recruits of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force. Your job will be to capture and subdue rogue magical creatures and objects that escaped the wizarding world after an event called the “Calamity.” Since it’s similar to Pokémon Go, you’ll need to walk around to find encounters. If you’re interested in playing the game once it hits your area, you can sign up through the Wizards Unite website.

Source: Engadget

Niantic’s ‘Pokémon GO’ gets exclusive experience on iPhone and iPad with new AR+ Mode

Niantic Inc. and The Pokémon Company are taking full advantage of Apple’s augmented reality capabilities courtesy of the ARKit framework with a new feature they’re introducing into Pokémon GO. A new AR+ Mode is coming to iOS 11 devices that include the iPhone 6s and newer, iPad 5^th generation, and all iPad Pro models. If you activate AR+ feature in encounter mode, this puts the individual Pokémon you encounter more accurately positioned within your surroundings. With the help of ARKit’s 3D AR scaling, its size will also be more accurately based with perspective and size changing depending on whether you move closer or further away from the creature.

Speaking of moving closer, those who do get closer have a chance to get special capture bonus but you also must know that the Pokémon will be aware of your proximity so it might flee if you come too close too quickly. But some of the benefits of being in AR+ Mode include being awarded things like Expert Handler bonus, which gives you more XP and Stardust.

As interest for Pokemon Go wanes, Niantic looks to bring AR-enabled Harry Potter game

Niantic took mobile users by storm with Pokemon GO which brought the first real example of AR (augmented reality) to the masses. While that game became one of the biggest and most downloaded titles, interest from the general publick has been waning for some time now and the company is looking for the next big hit.

What's bigger the the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? 

"We're incredibly excited to announce this next step in the evolution of AR mobile entertainment. With Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, players that have been dreaming of becoming real life Wizards will finally get the chance to experience J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. Players will learn spells, explore their real world neighborhoods and cities to discover & fight legendary beasts and team up with others to take down powerful enemies." Death eaters, Dementors, legendary wizards and witches are all going to be served up in muggle neighbourhoods as Niantic blends magic and high technology. The game is coming 2018.

You can catch Pikachu during the anniversary event of ‘Pokèmon Go’

It seems appropriate that for the first anniversary of one of the biggest games to come out in recent history will feature its most iconic character. Pokèmon Go, which is celebrating its one year anniversary this month, will be running an anniversary event starting July 6^th to 24^th. That event will give you the opportunity to get a special Pikachu that’s wearing Ash’s hat. Aside from that, Niantic says, “You’ll also be able to stock up for Raid Battles and the events ahead with the special limited-time Anniversary Box, which will include Incubators, Max Revives, Ultra Balls, and Raid Passes at a discount in the in-game shop.”

If you were expecting more, unfortunately that’s all we’re getting for now. Trading or legendary monsters still aren’t available. But this is most likely due to the overwhelming popularity of the game. As it attracted so many users, the game needed “rebuilding and rewiring” of its infrastructure to keep it running at the scale it was running, as Niantic CEO John Hanke admits. Hanke says this put them at around six months behind. For now we have to settle with Pikachu.

Source: Kotaku