Zynga Inc — the mobile developer known for popular games such as Words with Friends and FarmVille — is teaming up with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to launch Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells. Published by Portkey Games, the new title is billed as an “innovative match-3 puzzle” game, so we can expect a Bejeweled-like experience mixed with the wonderful Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The mobile game will follow storylines inspired by the novels and reunite players with iconic characters. As for why the company settled on a match-three puzzle format, Zynga’s president of publishing, Bernard Kim, says that the company wanted to find an “approachable genre” that anyone could easily learn how to play, but would ramp up in difficulty for those who make it to the higher levels.
Merging the popular Harry Potter franchise with the accessible match-3 puzzle format seems like a such a homerun it’s surprising no one has done it sooner. Although Mr. Potter is no stranger to the world of mobile gaming — having previously starred in Wizards Unite and Hogwarts Mystery — this will be his first role in a puzzle game. Both of those titles have performed well, so expectations are high for his latest outing.
Players will be able to unlock new spells and brewing potions as they make their way through the game, earn experience points to level up their skills, and acquire rewards for their wizarding deeds. They’ll also be able to customize their own Harry Potter avatar, create clubs, and partake in Daily Events. Specific details as to how this will all mesh together are still under wraps, but it sounds like there will be more to enjoy than simply solving puzzles.
Zynga has seen great success over the years and has a track record of crafting polished, highly profitable mobile games. It’s expertise — combined with a powerhouse IP such as Harry Potter — should make for a wildly popular mobile game.
Puzzles & Spells has soft launched in several regions, but anyone interesting in knowing when the game will come to their country can pre-register on the official Zynga website. It will be available on iOS, Android, along with Amazon Kindle and Facebook.
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