“Wonderbook” peripheral for the PlayStation 3 will be a platform for augmented reality books, with Harry Potter author penning The Book of Spells, the first release for the device.
Sony has unveiled Wonderbook, a peripheral device for their PlayStation 3 home console that will bring interactive storybooks to life. Wonderbook works in tandem with Sony’s PlayStation Eye and Move motion controller, using augmented reality graphics and a book-shaped peripheral. Readers can then interact with the story as the book progresses, able to take part in games and activities, as well as influencing the outcome of the story.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling has written the first release for Wonderbook, named The Book of Spells. Set in the Harry Potter universe, The Book of Spells has players working through wizard training at Hogwarts School, learning magic spells which are then cast using the PlayStation Move controller as a wand.
“This is the closest a Muggle can come to a real spellbook,” said Rowling. “I’ve loved working with Sony’s creative team to bring my spells, and some of the history behind them, to life. This is an extraordinary device that offers a reading experience like no other.”
The Book of Spells is slated to be the first release of many for the Wonderbook, with Sony saying at their pre-E3 conference that they are planning on releasing both fictional stories and educational books for the device. The Wonderbook is scheduled for release later this year.
