New 'Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery' RPG Mobile Game Announced For 2018

Warner Bros. Interactive has announced a new mobile game based on J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series. Called “Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery,” the upcoming mobile game will be available on Android and iOS devices in 2018.

“Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery” is being developed by Jam City and published by Portkey Games, the label that Warner Bros. Interactive created that’s dedicated to creating games based on the “Harry Potter” series. Information on the gameplay is scarce, but Portkey Games did give out a short description as to what fans can expect from the game.

“Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery” is an RPG mobile game where players will be able to create their own character and experience life as a Hogwarts student. The player’s character will be able to progress “through the years” while taking part in the Wizarding School’s various activities. This includes going to classes like Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts, and or participating in the Duelling Club. Warner Bros. Interactive also teased that the game will feature some familiar “Harry Potter” characters.

“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,” Jam City co-founder and CEO Chris DeWolfe said. “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”

As for the storyline, the game itself will take place before the events of the “Harry Potter” novels and films. Since the game will act as a prequel, it will also have a cast of new characters. Most of the students in Hogwarts will be new, while older siblings of characters from the books and movies may make an appearance.

“We are writing stories that fit squarely in the world but take it in new directions,” Jam City COO Josh Yguado told VentureBeat. “It’s something fresh for the fans, taking place in the mid-1980s after the Wizarding Wars.”

“Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery” will be available sometime next year in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store and the Amazon Appstore. No release date has been given yet, but Jam City is aiming for a spring 2018 release. Yguado also said that Jam City and Portkey Games will share more information about the upcoming RPG “Harry Potter” game during the Disney Celebration event in Florida

“Hogwarts Mystery” is an entirely different game from “Harry Potter: Wizards Unite,” which is also set to arrive in 2018. “Wizards Unite” is being developed by Niantic, the same developer behind “Pokémon Go.”