How player created magic would open new dimensions in an open world Harry Potter video game
By Joseph Hayes
Imagine the possibilities if we were given a Harry Potter game that was open to creativity, that we are able to create our very own magical spells.
It has long been the hope of many players to see an open world Harry Potter video game. Although video games were released along with each film, these were relatively story focused with little ability for wider player development. Players could explore parts of Hogwarts that is true but even that was relatively limited.
Harry Potter has more recently had a mobile game, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, however an open world game, although requiring a lot of work, would have many benefits in exploring the breathtaking dimensions within the Harry Potter universe. What might make such a Harry Potter video stand out would be not only allowing them to explore outside Hogwarts, and the locations seen in the film, but also player created magic.
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Allowing players to create their own spells and other sorts of magic would be key. The best witches and wizards in the Harry Potter Universe innovate, as well as use, magic. I’m looking at you Professor Severus Snape; but even stretching back in wizard history to Herpo the Foul who created horcruxes as we know, as JK Rowling noted on the Pottercast 130 on 17th December 2007.
Indeed, it is the creation of spells that allows Wizards and Witches to make magic their own. As the Harry Potter Lexicon notes Merwyn the Malicious a Middle Ages, was known for creating “many unpleasant jinxes and hexes”. Creating spells for better or worse is the way for a Wizard or Witch to go down in history and lore.
In particular, with Professor Severus Snape one of the things that makes him so dangerous is his creativity, even when he was but a student. This was shown in his improvement on potions. By crushing, rather than chopping, the ingredients to release juices better as he advises in his annotated version of the Advanced Potion Making book.
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However, his infamous spell “Sectumsempra” is perhaps Snape’s most fearsome creation. This spell lets wield an invisible sword to attack their opponent with magical slashes. This spell is used to a terrifying degree against Malfoy during the Half Blood Prince.
Of course, more constructive magic and magical ingredients are also fostered with creativity. The Deathly Hallows notes that Dumbledore’s legacy included “discovery of the twelve uses of dragon’s blood”. Dumbledore’s innovation ensured his fame long before Harry Potter came along.
Players have been able to use spells and other magic in previous video games. However, they have been relatively limited as players are kept to the scope of the movie. Some of the bestselling video games of recent years such as Minecraft, have succeeded exactly because they foster creativity.
A Harry Potter video-game where one could create their own spells would offer endless hours of fun. It would take a tremendous effort, and perhaps this is one of the reasons it has not been made so far. Such a video game could also allow players to take Fable esque moral choices with players starting off as neutral and then either taking the path of light or becoming a dark wizard.
Harry Potter is fundamentally, an interactive franchise that includes the reader, viewer, and player. It has touched many lives and brought much joy, in the books and films. The video games have been well made, but fairly limited, so allowing players to take more control and innovate new techniques to a wider player base would be the next step.
One of the things that makes Harry Potter so relatable is the idiosyncrasies and individualities of the Wizards and Witches within the universe. A Harry Potter video game that recognized this would ensure that players get the full experience.
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What do you think? Do you think we could ever see this become a reality one day? Drop a comment below sharing your thoughts.