EAâs Casual Entertainment Label and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced that the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game will be released later this year to coincide with the Warner Bros. Pictures film based on J.K. Rowlingâs sixth âHarry Potterâ book.
âWe believe that the âHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Princeâ video game represents a milestone in the movie tie-in genre,â said Harvey Elliott, Head of EA Bright Light studio in the UK where the âHarry Potterâ franchise has its home. âBuilding on the technological advancements of previous games in the series and with a particular focus on the unique control system of Nintendoâs Wii, the team here is working closely with the filmmakers to create an immersive interactive experience that captures the story, the action, the excitement and, above all, the fun of the film.â
âWorking with EA, we look forward to offering fans a compelling Harry Potter video game, one which captures the thrilling storyline and high visual quality of the movie,â said Scott Johnson, Vice President, Business Development for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. âThe adherence to the rich fiction is a trademark of this franchise and with âHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Princeâ fans will experience the most authentic and enjoyable game in the series to date.â
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemortâs defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadnât counted on Romilda VaneÂs chocolates! And then thereâs Hermione, simmering with jealously but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.
In the game of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, players will return to Hogwarts to help Harry survive a fraught sixth year. They will also have a chance to engage in exciting wizard duels, mix and brew magical ingredients in Potions class and take to the air to lead the Gryffindor Quidditch team to victory. Players may even get sidetracked by Ronâs romantic entanglements as they journey towards a dramatic climax and discover the identity of the Half-Blood Prince.
Under development by EA Bright Light Studio, the team behind the worldwide success of the âHarry Potterâ library of games, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is scheduled for release in time for the movie launch this fall for the Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo DS, Windows PC, Macintosh and mobile devices.
