Pokémon Go maker Niantic has confirmed the release date of its new Harry Potter-themed augmented reality mobile game - and fans don't have long to wait.
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite will launch in the US and the UK this Friday, June 21, with other regions to follow soon.
The new Harry Potter game is based on J.K. Rowling's hugely popular book series and the Warner Bros films, which have grossed more than $7.7 billion (£5.9 billion) at the box office.
Players will be able to virtually immerse themselves in Rowling's magical world, overlaid on their real-world surroundings, using their smartphones.
As players wander around different neighbourhoods and cities, they will learn and cast spells, discover mysterious artifacts, and encounter legendary beasts and iconic characters.
They will also be able to visit "fortresses" - the equivalent of "gyms" in Pokémon Go - where they can team up with other players to take on tougher enemies.
Meanwhile, "Portkeys" will allow players to peer into magical realms through their phones,as if they really are walking into Harry Potter's world.
"The beloved Harry Potter stories have captured imaginations worldwide for more than 20 years," said John Hanke, founder and CEO of Niantic, when the game was first announced.
"Soon we'll turn the fantasy into augmented reality, allowing fans and their friends to become wizards and witches."
The game's use of real locations is similar to Niantic's Pokémon Go , which became the first mass market adoption of augmented reality in July 2016 and allows players to "catch" animated characters that appeared in their real surroundings.
EE is the exclusive telecom launch partner in the UK for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite .
As part of the partnership, EE customers will have the chance to experience exclusive Harry Potter: Wizards Unite content.
EE locations will appear in the game as sponsored Inns and Fortresses with higher reward payout and special quests that will be announced at launch.
How to pre-register for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
If you have an Android smartphone, you can pre-register by visiting the app's page on the Google Play Store here .
Tap the green "Pre-register" box.
Once you've done this, you’ll see a pop-up, that says: "You've pre-registered. We will notify you when this game is available for your device."
