With the latest Harry Potter film already setting box office records, there’s no doubt we’re about to see a big surge in the public’s interest in witchcraft and wizardry. Unfortunately, Harry Potter fans will find a limited selection of wizard-centric apps the App Store: there’s currently only one official app available, and it’s mostly a promotional vehicle for the movie rather than an engrossing game. Fortunately, there are a handful of other wizard apps on the marketplace, and one of them — a free game called Magic Wars(iTunes Link) — may be exactly what you’re looking for.
The game was put together by pocketfungames, a Y Combinator startup that specializes in iPhone games. The company originally planned to focus on dating-based applications, but has since shifted gears, looking to take advantage of the fact that many iPhone games still fail to leverage the phone’s Network Effect and integrate social features. In some senses this is a return to the company’s roots, as it was was previously a developer of social games on Facebook.
The game is a fairly basic online RPG that lets you boost your stats through brief training games as well as duels with other wizards. You interact with other players through social features like messaging and guilds, and can choose to battle wizards worldwide or only those who live nearby. It also features a number of elements obviously inspired by the Harry Potter series, including placement into a certain class of wizards (i.e. a ‘house’) depending on your personality traits.
By far my favorite part of the app is the way it handles battles. Whenever you go to cast a certain spell, the application presents you with a motion you need to make with the phone (standing in for your wand), and the incantation you have to speak aloud. Movements can include things like jerking your hand swiftly above your head and waving it in a semicircle, which makes you look ridiculous but also makes the game feel a bit more ‘authentic’. After casting your spell, the game rates you on your performance which determines how much damage is inflicted on your opponent. In my testing I had trouble ever reaching a spell’s maximum potential, though I can’t tell if this is because the app’s sensitivity is off or if I’m just not very good at it.
But while the gameplay is surprisingly fun, the app could really use some work — some parts of it look fairly polished, while others simply look like generic buttons (the developers should strongly consider getting some more professional art assets in the game given the demographic it’s targeting). Still, it’s a good start.
Lewis says that the application launched three weeks ago and is now pulling 2,000 downloads a day. The game offers a free version, but it’s also going to offer “booster packs” for its virtual currency, which allows players to increase the number of spells they can perform. The company also has a number of other games in the works, though Lewis declined to reveal any details (I suspect the new games will have a bigger focus on the iPhone’s GPS capabilities).
Pretty cool, too bad I accidentally my iPhone.
Agree, cool stuffs. I like the light saber app better. It does make you feel like a real jedi. or try to be LOL
I feel like Yoda right now. LOL
Accidentally what?
The whole iPhone.
Accidentally forgot to use an action verb?
Pretty silly
Nowadays more and more people like play games on their mobile phone.
You just knooooow Jason was like “Professsor Dumblemike, can I write about this puhhhhlease”.
Then he waved his wrists and proclaimed:
“Wordpressimus Maximus!!!”
ps. forwarded to wifey who is going to love this.
A few years ago before I finished my degree, I took a paid internship at Microsoft for 6 months. They had this thing called “Puzzle Day” run by employees for employees on a weekend. You’d form groups of around a dozen people, come in on a Saturday, and participate in an interactive puzzle-based competition, figuring out word games and mind teasers, following clues and generally running around the Redmond/Seattle area.
The year I was there, the theme was Harry Potter, and some skillful Microsoft employees built wands for the event. They had gyroscopes built in, like Wii remotes, and would display clues only when you waved them about perfectly in casting a spell (after taking a “class” in spell casting, which required solving puzzles leading you to said class’s teacher).
Sounds cool, although I won’t be getting it as i don’t have an iPhone.
I recommend this game to anyone with a little bit of free time on their hands. Once you pick it up you can’t put it down. Some of the things you can do on this app, like playing against people around the world, really makes this app the best around.
Love this game. Period.
Yeah I need help deleting my old profile cause I want a new one that actually has my picture so yeah I want to delete it and I don’t know how PLEASE HELP:(
This game is so much fun. I could see it being addapted to the WII very easily.
I downloaded magic wars yesterday, i guess since its free its a great deal. This would probably be my favorite free app i own. But it crashes a lot for me dont know if its my phone or what.
I would recomend.
-Richard
Awesome game! I reccomend to anyone that has an iPod or iPhone. Join my circle 1973911. Thanks!
OMG this game is awsome my son and we play it every evening we really enjoy it. I always felt left out wen my hubby and my boys play on ps3 or xbox360 but now I found this little gem which give us quality time together. Thank you for making this happen it help during school holidays too.
This game is very fun. I just started playing it and I’m hooked! Please join my circle 2644686 (=
This is an amazing app we just cant put it down! My brother is constantly playing and I’ve made a few friends that i didnt know lived near me. Simply amaizng. Download here: http://itunes.a...072408&mt=8
By the way…. Anyone who joins my circle will have me join your circle. 3003436!
this is an awesome game appeals to all age groups a must for all fantasy lovers and the best part is you get to play as a witch/wizard duel others make friends so get your wands ready and enjoy…………my rune no is 5564593 i always add back
this is an awesome game a must for all fantasy lovers and the best part is you can have fun while making friends and the worst part is the making the circle lol jk but you need 10000 for the ultimate spell …………..pls add me i always add back 5564593