'Harry Potter GO' release rumors: Niantic picks up the game, to release it early next year

(Facebook/Harry Potter) Is Niantic really producing a game based on Harry Potter and the mechanics of Pokémon GO?

After "Pokémon GO," another game may send mobile gamers outdoors as it is rumored that Niantic is coming up with another augmented-reality game — "Harry Potter GO" — which will feature gameplay similar to "Pokémon GO."

Rumor has it that Niantic is creating "Harry Potter GO" after a fan-made trailer of the game recently surfaced online. After seeing the said video, Niantic reportedly decided to create "Harry Potter GO" with plans to release it early next year.

As seen in the fan-made trailer of "Harry Potter GO," there is no denying that the rumored game is patterned after "Pokémon GO," at least as far as gameplay is concerned. Instead of catching Pokémon, would-be players of the game must catch monsters and beasts while also collecting magic cards using their magic wands.

The video also features entertaining combat set in the magical world of "Harry Potter."

As the fan-made trailer created by Stargaze Media was nothing short of impressive, it has captured the attention of many gamers and — allegedly — that of Niantic, prompting the studio to pick up the game for development.

Last month, a report claiming that Niantic senior developer Marcus Figueroa had confirmed in an interview that the studio had already acquired the rights to the game surfaced online. However, it turned out that the interview was a hoax and did not happen at all.

Nonetheless, even if Niantic has yet to come up with a statement that will verify the rumors claiming that it's coming up with a "Pokémon GO"-inspired "Harry Potter" game, many fans remain hopeful for a magical creature-collecting game. 

After all, many believe that should Niantic decide to produce the game, the studio will surely rake in more cash thanks to the commercial success of the "Harry Potter" books, movies, and even its merchandise.

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