"Pokemon Go" has become a global phenomenon, becoming one of the most played mobile games of all time. For a time it even became more popular than Twitter. Due to its success there have even been rumors of developer Niantic Labs adapting the same gameplay for the "Harry Potter" franchise, a rumor Niantic has officially debunked.
Rumors began when JTHX News cited an interview between IGN and an employee from Niantic Labs named Marcus Figueroa. During the alleged interview Figueroa supposedly stated they had acquired the "Harry Potter" rights and were working on the game, aiming for a 2017 release date.
A report from Gizmodo has done some research and discovered that there are no other interviews with a Niantic Labs employee named Marcus Figueroa. All other links lead back to the same interview but clicking the link leads to an error page, hinting IGN never had the interview to begin with. All interviews with Niantic Labs have been with the company co-founder, John Hanke.
The report does reveal that there is still a possibility of the game happening some time in the future. After all, "Pokemon Go" came to be thanks to an April Fool's joke made back in 2014. The video caught traction and eventually the real "Pokemon Go" was made into a reality.
This may happen with the "Harry Potter" franchise, particularly with the franchise gaining popularity again thanks to the upcoming film "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" as well as the new book "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" which has been adapted into a stage play and may be adapted into a film as well.
However, the fact remains that no "Harry Potter Go" is in development and no game is going to be out by 2017. The rumor is officially debunked and the company is still busy working on promoting "Pokemon Go," which is receiving a multitude of new features and updates on a regular basis.
