You`ve read the book, bought the broomstick and seen the movie. Now it`s time to step into the magic shoes of Harry Potter. Electronic Arts(EA), the number one games maker in the U.S., is hoping to cash in on pottermania with a computer game starring the teenage wizard in his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
It will hit the shelves in mid-November to coincide with the release of the big screen version of ``Harry Potter and the philosopher`s stone``.
The first four Potter books have already sold 100 million copies in 46 languages, turning a generation of children into devoted wizard fans and author J.K. Rowling into one of Britain`s wealthiest women.
EA executives are hoping the ``Harry Potter interactive experience`` will prove as big a winner for them.
``We are very excited about it,`` said Bruce McMillan, EA senior vice president. ``We expect it to be the Christmas number one computer and video game.``
One highlight of the PC version will undoubtedly be Harry`s central role in the game of ``quidditch``, a high-flying game of broomstick basketball played by the fledgling wizards.
``It`s absolutely brilliant,`` said Luke, an 11-year-old in a sample game audience of potter enthusiasts dressed up for halloween in central London. ``It`s exactly as I imagined. I really hope I get it for Christmas.`` Bureau Report