Sources: leaked Harry Potter game is real, not developed by Rocksteady
UPDATE 3.50pm: In a tweet following the publication of Eurogamer’s story, BBC News reporter and renowned Potter fan Lizo Mzimba shared some of his knowledge of the project, including two possible names:
Am told this is from a yet to be announced RPG currently titled Harry Potter Magic Awakened, although other titles including Magic Forever are also in the mix. Other Potter games are also thought to be on the way @TomPhillipsEG @ComicBook #HarryPotterMagicAwakened #HarryPotter https://t.co/bgXliE0Hme
— lizo mzimba (@lizo_mzimba) October 2, 2018
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ORIGINAL STORY 3.30pm:This morning, footage claiming to be of an under-wraps Harry Potter project appeared online. The video looked professionally made, and now sources with knowledge of the project have confirmed to Eurogamer that the project is indeed real and currently in development.
The footage first appeared on reddit courtesy of poster VapeThisBro, who claimed he was shown the video as part of some market research. In his words, “do you think a random internet stoner would have the skills and patience to create this video?” I wouldn’t know, but anything is possible.
The video features sweeping vistas of Hogwarts from the Harry Potter books and films, creatures which have debuted in subsequent Harry Potter spin-off movie series Fantastic Beasts, plus a character creator, third-person combat mechanics and large set pieces.
Warner Bros. has now removed the footage on YouTube due to a copyright claim, although mirrors of it are still available.
Posted alongside the video was a press release-sounding description of the game which mentions a 19th century setting starring a fifth year student who joins Hogwarts as a late arrival. You’ll be able to curse (and possibly kill?) “dark wizards” and “goblins”, choose from eight character classes and either act good or evil. While it’s not The Witcher 3, it sounds more mature in tone than the Harry Potter games we’re used to.