Episode 9- Wizards Unite

In this episode of Idea to Done, we chat about Niantic's Harry Potter app, Wizards Unite. Join us as we take a peek at what makes up this AR game.

J/E: I'm Josh and I'm Erick

E: Today's Idea is: The Release of WIZARDS UNITE!!!!!

E: I think it’s important in our world of App Development to talk a little bit about the newer apps that have been developed. Wizards Unite is developed by Niantic. They are the same crew who developed Pokemon Go. It’s a pretty similar game set in the Harry Potter Universe, and we’re going to chat about it today. Josh do you know anything about this game or even the developer?

J: I heard from a mutual friend that they could, and I quote “take all my money”. Other than that, no, I’m an adult.

E: True...Fun story. After work today, I will be wandering through the streets of Fargo playing this game with him until Monday. I say we just dive right into this. I am going to get right into it. Let’s open this guy up and see what it’s doing.

E: Opens the app. I did a little bit of pre work with this and registered my character last night. As a developer what do you see as I open this?

J: It looks like it is using the accelerometer, yes that is a real thing, along with some gps functionality. I can zoom in and rotate around my red fedora wearing knight goblin, but that's about it, looks like I have to get up and move now.

E: Right an accelerometer. That little knight goblin is actually the griffindor avatar character I made up Named Roderick J. Heron. It’s actually an anagram of my name Erick John Roder. All my super Harry Potter nerd friends should appreciate the anagram. 

J: #dumbledork

E: Raise your hand if you know what an accelerometer is? Muggle Dork

J: sad panda

E: Let’s get back to the amazing game. We’re at the office at the tech park right now. It is actually a hotel in the game. There are different GPS pins in our area of other places to actually walk to.

J: Oh I didn’t realize that the markings on the ground were actual buildings and roads, that seems pretty cool. So i’d have to go over to the parking lot to go pick up this shining diamond deal thing huh?

E: Yes, it’s very similar to Pokemon go. Nintendo tricked me into walking 100 miles when that came out. 
J: Ok, so that’s sort of neat, so then I click on this thing… what i think i’m battling something now, what’s going on.

E: That is obviously a pixie. 

J: Obviously

E: After we find that we have to do random touch screen motions to capture it, and return it to the pretend in game museum of things we caught. I think this well do well. I am going to walk around my neighborhood 20 times this weekend collecting pretend things. Well played Niantic. Here is the big question. Josh is this something that is in our realm to develop?

J: Well anything is possible, but I’d probably leave this to the dev shops that have a big budget and the market of awaiting nerds to play it. At the end of the day building this would be tough, but marketing it would be even more difficult without an audience.

E: Cool, did you hear that Disney, we’re ready to develop Wookie Go!

J: I’m not sure if that is made up or not, but heck, I’m in.

E: I made it up just now, and am pretty excited about it. What a good idea, if only we knew of a company that developed ideas into apps. Thanks for listening, if you know a startup that could use advice have them subscribe and leave a review on iTunes.