E3, one of the biggest gaming conferences in the world, is taking place in North America as we speak. Sony, the company behind the Playstation 3, had their event today in which they announced a new augmented reality controller, the Wonderbook.

The Wonderbook is set to combine gaming and reading in a manner that hasn’t been seen before on major gaming platforms. The augmented reality style allows gamers to immerse themselves into the reading process and so alongside the Playstation Move programme, the player becomes a character in the story.

The first title to be announced is The Book of Spells, written and developed in collaboration with J. K. Rowling. The Book of Spells will allow readers to train as a Hogwarts student as the Playstation Move controller becomes your very own wand as you learn and use spells described in the books.

Players will also learn the history of spells through a simulated paper theatre, with original and new stories written by Rowling. Sony has also brought Pottermore into the mix, suggesting that the progress you make on Pottermore, and the progress made on the Wonderbook, will interlink.

J. K. Rowling has released a statement, saying “This is the closest a Muggle can come to a real spellbook. 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 programme is set for release later this year, possibly around Christmas time.

Are you excited about this new Wonderbook? Will you be delving into The Book of Spells? Let us know!

Gina Kershaw