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Wizarding World Digital

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Pottermore
Type of businessPrivate limited company
Type of site
Harry Potter website
Available inEnglish, German, Spanish, French, Italian
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom[1]
Area servedWorldwide
OwnerJ. K. Rowling
Founder(s)J. K. Rowling
Key people
URLwww.pottermore.com
RegistrationRequired
Launched31 July 2011 (2011-07-31)[3] (first 1 million registrants)
Current statusEarly access

Pottermore is a website by J. K. Rowling, developed by TH_NK and sponsored by Sony.[5][6] The website, according to Rowling, will serve as a permanent online home for the wizarding world of Harry Potter. The site will also feature many of J.K. Rowling's notes, several and pages of text that were not included in the novels,a service that will sell e-book and audiobook versions of the seven Harry Potter novels, as well as over 18,000 words of additional content. The additional content will include a large number of background details and settings.[3][7] Registration for the limited beta release began on 31 July 2011 (the birthday of both Rowling and her character Harry Potter) for the first one million fans to complete "The Magical Quill" challenge and register. Registration was originally intended to open to all in October 2011,[3][8][9] but the Beta period has been extended[10] and the new opening date is unknown.

Features

Users are able to participate in interactive reading experiences or "moments" beginning with the first book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.[11] Users can move through the chapters and "follow" Harry as well as collect items such as potion ingredients, books and galleons (a wizard coin), many of which earn them house points once they are sorted. Among other things, users are able to visit Diagon Alley, learn spells, duel other users and create potions. Students from different houses compete with each other for the House Cup by gaining house points mainly through dueling and potion-making.[11][12] This type of virtual reading experience has generated concern about the potential reaction of established online book retailers such as Amazon.[13] Pottermore is free to join. Buying audiobooks is not directly related to anything else on the site.

Potions making

Pottermore gives users an opportunity to make their own potions in three different cauldrons (although only one can be used at a time) made of pewter, brass and copper, each making potions of increasing speed, with pewter the slowest and copper the fastest (still being implemented). Pewter cauldrons cost 15 galleons, brass cauldrons cost 21 galleons and copper cauldrons cost 25 galleons. With ingredients bought in Diagon Alley, users can make six different potions, each of which rewards house points if completed, or does not if the potion fails. The potion can fail by adding the wrong amount of an ingredient, leaving it to brew for too long, not keeping the temperature within the range, crushing things too finely or not finely enough and causing the cauldron to explode. The potions that can be made in the first book are Antidote to Common Poisons, Cure for Boils, Forgetfulness Potion, Herbicide, Sleeping Draught and Wideye or Awakening Potion.

Wizard's Duel

Each member of Pottermore will have the ability to duel with fellow "students". Each pupil can choose a spell to use against the other student, and may win or lose the duel, depending on the rating given. This is another opportunity to earn house points. However, the Wizard's Duel was shut down shortly after the site opened and has not been open for use since. [9]

History

Pottermore had been in development for two years since its incorporation in April 2009.[1][14] The Leaky Cauldron's Melissa Anelli has been involved with the project since October 2009.[15] On 15 June 2011, various Harry Potter fan sites including The Leaky Cauldron, MuggleNet and HPANA began to release geographical coordinates to letters that could be found on SecretStreetView.com, a website created by Rowling, integrating Google Maps to reveal hidden letters that would spell out the title of her secret announcement.[16] A webpage announcing the project first appeared in June 2011.[17] The webpage linked to a custom interactive YouTube channel featuring a countdown.[5][18] Owls gathered on various other Harry Potter pages linked to this countdown as well.[16] Rowling revealed some details of the site via a YouTube video on 23 June 2011.[3][18]

Early registration: The Magical Quill challenge

The website was launched on 31 July 2011, with an overwhelming number of people trying to access the site. The site subsequently had a page refresher and those who could get into Pottermore were informed of "The Magical Quill" challenge which would allow users who completed the challenge to complete the "early" registration for the site. The challenge continued for 7 days, with each day corresponding to a certain book in the series; with Day 1 corresponding to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Day 2 corresponding with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and so on and so forth. Each day had a clue which corresponded with the related novel to which the user must solve the clue to enable their right to register before October. The website would pick the person's username randomly showing five names to choose from, for child safety. Only a certain number of people each day were allowed to "use" their Magic Quill clue for registration each day across seven days, to total to one million users at the end of the challenge (6 August 2011).[19] While many accounts were created by fans during the early registration phase, many users created multiple accounts and sold them for high prices on eBay, despite being warned by the Pottermore blog and being assured that the website would remain a free site. Some of these accounts were created by cyber criminals hoping to target Harry Potter fans.[20][21][22] They posted promises of early previews to the site and early access to the site, leading people to unintentionally buy malicious software and allow people to hack their accounts.[22][23]

The following table is an overview of the seven day challenge. Clues on days 1–3 were more difficult than the clues on days 4–7.[24] For North Americans, the final clue was released on 5 August 2011 instead of 6 August. This was due to the fact that the clue was released at 1:00 am BST.

Date Time Clue Answer Page References
31 July 9:00 am BST "How many owls are on the Eeylops Owl Emporium sign? Multiply by 49." 245 Sony's US homepage [25][26]
1 August 10:00 am BST "What is the number of the chapter in which Professor McGonagall cancels the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff? Multiply this number by 42." 588 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 site hidden in the photos of the film. [25][27]
2 August 11:00 am BST "In the Gryffindor versus Slytherin Quidditch match, in Harry's third year, how many points is Gryffindor leading by before Harry catches the Golden Snitch? Multiply this number by 35." 2100 Online article on The Guardian's website [25][26][28]
3 August 3:30 pm BST "How many students take part in the Triwizard Tournament during Harry's fourth year? Multiply this number by 28." 112 Sony Harry Potter page, later skipped due to issues [25]
4 August 6:00 pm BST "What is the house number of the Headquarters for The Order of the Phoenix in Grimmauld Place? Multiply this number by 21." 252 Scholastic's Harry Potter page in an ad space at the top of the page. [25]
5 August 2:00 pm BST "How many chapters are there in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? Multiply this number by 14." 420 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's website [25]
6 August 1:00 am BST "How many Deathly Hallows are there? Multiply this number by 7." 21 Warner Brothers' Parseltongue Translator [25]

Beta period/early access

"I think Pottermore has the potential to be a lasting focal point for the Harry Potter brand – The Leaky Cauldron for the fans. I think the fact that it incorporates new content, a social networking element, and is also the only place people will be able to buy the ebooks will prove to be quite a potent combination..."

—Charlotte Williams, The Bookseller[29]

On 10 August, Pottermore started sending a "congratulations" email to registered users, confirming that they would get early entry and that the beta period would begin once the sign-in button had reappeared on the website.[30] On 15 August 2011, the sign-in button reappeared on the website, welcome emails were sent out and the beta period began.[31] A "very small number" of users were invited to begin use of Pottermore on the first day,[31] with more users subsequently being invited until 27 September, when the final invitation emails were sent.[32]

The site received positive reviews from users and the media early on in the beta period. They praised the "beautiful artwork" and extra content revealed by Rowling.[29] Bryan Young of The Huffington Post has said that "to say that Pottermore is an immersive experience might be an understatement." He commented that while the beta site still had a few problems, which was expected in the beta phase, "the experience [was] smooth and utterly absorbing."[33] Early users also said that although the site did not back that feeling of excitement when the books were released, it did add an "extra layer" to the reading experience, similar to the maps and additional content released for The Lord of the Rings series.[34]

Public launch

Pottermore registration was planned to open to the general public at the end of October 2011.[9] However, as of 15 November 2011, the Beta period has been extended, and no date has been announced for general registration to open.[10]

Ebooks and audio books will be available in the Pottermore Store sometime in 2012.[9]

Reception

The website has attracted Harry Potter fans of all ages.[26] Fans of the series responded well to the overall experience and quality of the website, considering the website to be a "magical portal," amazed at the detail and "thrilled" with the images "coming to life" before their very eyes.[35] Entertainment Weekly gave their approval of the website and praised that the website was not just a marketing ploy to sell e-books and audiobooks, but a website that "will at least let you experience some of the fun of living in the world of Harry Potter."[36]

Many fans, however, have expressed disappointment in how slowly confirmed beta testers were let in and the lack of information regarding the order they would let them in. The Beta site is noted to still have some problems, including how, due to maintenance, wizard duelling has been down for much of the beta period. Of the one million e-mails sent out, approximately 1/3rd have not yet been sorted into a house (based on the student count).[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b "Pottermore Limited - WebCHeck". United Kingdom: Companies House. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Pottermore Team Biographies and Company Profiles" (PDF). Pottermore. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d Cooke, Sonia Van Gilder (19 June 2011). "'Pottermore' Secrets Revealed: J.K. Rowling's New Site is E-Book Meets Interactive World". Time. Retrieved 2 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Pottermore.com Site Info". Alexa Internet, Inc. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  5. ^ a b "New Rowling mystery project spellbinds". Sydney Morning Herald. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  6. ^ "J.K. Rowling announces Pottermore". TH_NK. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  7. ^ Solon, Olivia (23 June 2011). "J.K. Rowling's Pottermore reveal: Harry Potter e-books and more". Wired UK. Ars Technica. Retrieved 24 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Pottermore Press Release" (PDF). Pottermore.com. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  9. ^ a b c d Pottermore Insider (30 September 2011). "Beta and Beyond". Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  10. ^ a b Pottermore Insider (28 October 2011). "Making Pottermore even better". Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  11. ^ a b Flood, Alison (23 June 2011). "Pottermore website launched by JK Rowling as 'give-back' to fans". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  12. ^ "New Pottermore Website Will Offer Interactive Reading Experience and Harry Potter Ebooks". 23 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  13. ^ Frommer, Dan (23 June 2011). "Harry Potter And "Pottermore" Could Force Amazon To Open Up The Kindle". Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  14. ^ Flood, Alison; Brown, Mark (23 June 2011). "Harry Potter next chapter? Wizard website tells and sells all". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  15. ^ "Melissa Anelli's Twitter". Melissa Anelli. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011. All right, I can say this now. I have been working with @pottermore since Oct 2009...
  16. ^ a b Witt, Emily (2 August 2011). "Harry Potter and the Interactive Digital Environment". The New York Observer. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  17. ^ DeMara, Bruce (16 June 2011). "More 'Harry': Pottermore website raises fan hopes". Toronto Star. Retrieved 23 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  18. ^ a b "J.K. Rowling has mysterious new Potter website". The Sacramento Bee. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  19. ^ "Pottermore Help – The Magical Quill and site access". Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  20. ^ Yin, Sara (5 August 2011). "Harry Potter Fan? You're a Prime Target for Cybercriminals". PC Magazine. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  21. ^ "Harry Potter hit by hi-tech conmen". BBC News. 5 August 2011.
  22. ^ a b "Harry Potter website Pottermore users 'targeted by cybercriminals'". The Daily Telegraph. UK. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  23. ^ "Harry Potter website Pottermore hit by scammers". Metro. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  24. ^ Memmott, Carol (1 August 2011). "Pottermore's Magical Quill Challenge underway". USA Today. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g "The Magical Quill Challenge: clues and solutions". Pottermore Insider. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  26. ^ a b c "Pottermore: your experiences". The Guardian. UK. 16 August 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  27. ^ Cockburn, Harry (2 August 2011). "Pottermore: my quest to find the magical quill". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  28. ^ Kirch, Claire (4 August 2011). "Harry Potter and the Muggle Quest for More". Publisher Weekly. Retrieved 9 August 2011. [...] We embarked upon a noble quest worthy of Harry Potter himself: entering Pottermore sooner, rather than later.
  29. ^ a b Flood, Alison (15 August 2011). "Pottermore: A first look inside Harry Potter's digital world". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  30. ^ Pottermore (10 August 2011). "Pottermore's Twitter". Retrieved 11 August 2011. Don't worry if you haven't received your email confirming early entry. There's a million to send out so it may take a little time to arrive.
  31. ^ a b Pottermore Insider (15 August 2011). "Beta testing (and registering for October)". We're excited to announce that early access to Pottermore has begun...
  32. ^ Pottermore Insider (27 September 2011). "One million Welcome emails delivered". Retrieved 27 September 2011. Earlier today, we sent out the one-millionth Welcome email...
  33. ^ Young, Bryan (15 August 2011). "A Look Inside Pottermore: First Impressions". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  34. ^ Walker, Harriet (16 August 2011). "First Sight: Pottermore.com, the internet". The Independent. London. Retrieved 17 August 2011. Judging by its first showing, Pottermore will not change the world.
  35. ^ Kirch, Claire (17 August 2011). "The Magic of Pottermore". Publisher Weekly. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  36. ^ Staskiewicz, Keith (15 August 2011). "Pottermore: First impressions of the new interactive Harry Potter site". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 17 August 2011.

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