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“I’m thrilled to say I’m now in a position to give you something unique. An online reading experience unlike any other. It’s called Pottermore. It’s the same story but a few crucial additions; the most important one is you.”
– J. K. Rowling
We have watched as the world itself has transformed from paperback to digital. Our generation, far more than any other, has been able to witness this transformation. In our early years, the internet was still an idea. An abstract concept too ambitious for us to conceptualize. In the late 1990’s, while Harry Potter was capturing the heart of millions, the internet was just getting it’s footing. Now, after the exhaustion of both literary and dramatic media, it only seems natural that Harry Potter live on within cyberspace.
It is hard for those who have religiously followed Harry Potter to just call it quits after 14 years. The internet, in all it’s glory, has finally provided a new outlet for Potter fans to continue their worship. The difference though, between Pottermore and its predecessors, is that we are finally able to interact with the world Rowling has created for us. We have read the story, and we have watched the story. Now it is time for us to live the story. The internet has provided a new form of interaction between fans and the world of wizards. It provides a new platform for potterheads to explore on. It’s like Second Life for wannabe-wizards.
Pottermore itself is a glorified gaming experience, with a little bit of social networking laced in. The main objective of Pottermore lies within the already familiar stories following Harry Potter. Main gameplay revolves around users tracing through Harry’s steps, from his arrival in Little Whinging, to his defeat of Voldemort. This is done through the exploration of key moments within the story lines of all seven books. While exploring, users can find little tidbits of information J. K. Rowling has provided, from notes she had while writing the books. Users also explore story moments to find items to collect.
Other things users can take part in include wizard duels, the House Cup, spell casting, potion brewing, as well as access to the Pottermore shop where eBooks of the Potter series are available.
It isn’t the main gameplay itself that really gives Pottermore its community characteristic. While users can comment on each moment within the story, more interaction is seen within events such as the House Cup, where users of the same House compete against users of different Houses to win.
The first House Cup was won by Slytherin on July 5, 2012. The second House Cup is slated for November of 2012. Source: Pottermore
While user interaction is limited, Pottermore allows fans of the series to continue the story of Harry Potter in a unique fashion. Pottermore has brought the book to life, arguably more than the movies themselves. Users are able to do what they could only dream of doing before — and through constant updates and additions, Pottermore users are able to continually learn and experience more.