Ross Park Mall readies for enhanced Harry Potter augmented reality gameplay

Tony LaRussa | Thursday, June 27, 2019 4:00 p.m.

NIANTIC INC.

Fans of the augmented reality mobile game “Harry Potter: Wizards Unite” can enhance their playing experience at the AT&T store in the Ross Park Mall, where Wizards and Witches who play the game can earn additional rewards and encounter more virtual enemies.

Fans of the augmented reality mobile game “Harry Potter: Wizards Unite” don’t need to conjure a spell to enhance their playing experience.

The AT&T store in the lower level of the Ross Park Mall is one of select locations in the United States where Wizards and Witches who play the game can earn additional rewards and encounter more virtual enemies.

“We’re excited to team up with AT&T and (Ross Park Mall owners) Simon to create a variety of custom ‘Harry Potter: Wizards Unite’ gameplay experiences for players visiting the thousands of retail stores and large-scale shopping destinations around the United States,” said Omar Tellez, a vice president for the Niantic, which developed the game. Tellez said games such the Harry Potter game is “all about engaging with the world around you, creating new and unique opportunities for players to interact within their neighborhoods, towns and cities like never-before.”

As new recruits of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force, players investigate the chaotic magical activity that is leaking into the Muggle world and work together to solve the mystery of this Calamity, according to a news release announcing the Wizards Unite feature now available.

Players explore their real-world neighborhoods and cities to discover mysterious artifacts, cast spells and encounter fantastic beasts and iconic characters along the way, the news release said.

Valerie Vargas, senior vice president of advertising and creative services for AT&T said the company is “proud” to collaborate with the game developers to bring consumers “closer to the content they love.”

“AT&T’s network helps us give Wizards across the country new ways to interact with their most beloved Harry Potter characters,” she said.

AT&T store s also are stocked with more than 25 exclusive “Harry Potter: Wizards Unite” products such as battery packs and fast chargers as well as Wizarding World imagery to create augmented reality photo backdrop.

More information about the game experience is available online.