Sony Joins Hands with J.K. Rowling for Pottermore

Harass Potter the online computer game? Operating theatre would that constitute Harass Potter "the online bulletin add-in"? No one knows sure. In fact all we do know is that the name "Pottermore" was proprietary by Warner Bros. in 2009, that an name website appeared cryptically a week ago, and that it's since been self-identified A "a free website that builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Ceramist books."

Come again? Doesn't Pottermore already exist? You know, where it's called The Holey Cauldron and Mugglenet?

Nope, implies author J.K. Rowling in a teaser video, vocation Pottermore "an online reading experience unlike any other" and describing it As "the same fib with few crucial additions…the most cardinal one [being] you."

<p>Your browser does non musical accompaniment iframes.</p>

It'll also beryllium the exclusive place to purchase member audiobooks (already available elsewhere, indeed it sounds like Rowling's reining in distribution rights) and—for the first time anywhere—e-book versions of all the novels. Rowling says she'll be sharing "additional information [she's] been billboard for years about the world of Harry Muck aroun."

And Here's the strange part: the whole affair's been designed in partnership with Sony. This, despite EA's ferment on the standalone TV back link-ins, and Charles Dudley Warner Bros' ferment on the films.

Sony's admit: "Sony's association with J.K. Rowling's Pottermore brings together one of the world's well-nig innovative brands with the well-nig successful record book series in history, in a pioneering partnership that leave help shape the future of story-informative," said Sony CEO and president Howard Stringer, adding "We are proud to be a partly of information technology, both at this momentous announcement, and as we collaborate on its development over the coming years."

While the e-books probably won't be Sony-exclusive, the keep company will sell other Pottermore products, say a Pottermore-branded Sony digital lector.

Draconian as Rowling's been nigh controlling all aspect of her Potter around empire (remember her lawsuit against the guy who wrote a book of fact?) I wouldn't expect Pottermore to include a massively multiplayer angle anytime soon. It sounds like there testament be a game scene to the site, but IT'll be subsidiary instead of central. World of Harry-Potter-craft this isn't, though the social network angle sounds pretty involved. Think something the like Facebook, only with games that let you connect a Hogwarts house and collect points instead, tell, of ploughing down and managing crops, FarmVille-manner.

How do you join? Pottermore slips its doors unobstructed on July 31st to a preliminary one million users, aft which the doors swing wide to the masses (including the launch of the extended-awaited official e-books) sometime this Oct.

Interact with Game On: Chirrup – Facebook – Connect