At 9:41 a.m. CDT, on August 15th, 2011, I received this message from Pottermore, inviting me to “step this way”:
The magical world of Pottermore is now just a click away.
Your user name is: ErisedAuror53.
Before you step into the exciting world of Pottermore, we’d like to welcome you as one of the first million people to be granted access. You are being invited in early to help shape the experience and ensure that it is as magical as it can be for the full launch in October.
Pottermore builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Potter books, allowing you to read and share exclusive content from J.K. Rowling, visit Diagon Alley, get sorted into a house, cast spells and mix potions to help your house compete for the House Cup. All we ask is that you let us know what you like and if there’s anything you think would make Pottermore even better.
Unfortunately, my impatience and my initial excitement caused a couple problems. Firstly, it affected my responsibility as a “reporter”.
I could have been taking pictures and notes of every Sorting Hat question, but I did not. I suppose I will report less on Pottermore now that it’s actually released (in Beta), and (most) everyone can go see for themselves. Besides, I don’t want to get into trouble from the Wizarding Police by posting things that I shouldn’t. However, I will post a few thoughts about my Pottermore experience so far:
It is a brilliant, magical experience. As soon as that image from Privet Drive appeared, I felt immersed in a breathtakingly magical world, even in such a place so Muggle-friendly as Privet Drive. The artwork is absolutely spectacular. What makes the artwork seem more real is the use of separate layers for each moment. You have the ability to move in and out of the “world” and manipulate things around you.
J.K. Rowling’s new content is incredibly extensive where it involves Minerva McGonagall, but while there is obviously more than that (including more about Professor Quirrell), this new information about Professor McGonagall, my favorite fictional teacher, stands out most prominently to me. My admiration and respect for McGonagall grew a thousandfold today.
Being able to practice spells (and duel) and make potions is, in part, what makes this experience interactive. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to be quite ready yet. Even a moment’s lag during spell casting makes a huge difference. However, that might only be because of my currently slow internet connection. However, potion making, I think, is far harder to do successfully than it should be. I’ve already destroyed (melted) three cauldrons practicing (thankfully not using my own cauldron) potion-making. I can’t tell if this is user error, computer error, or possibly Pottermore error. I’ll have to go through some more trial and error of my own to see if I can get it to work.
Another glitch presented itself when I couldn’t “find” the “Measurements” content in the Moment where it was supposed to be, but I was able to read it anyway at the end of the chapter. This happened again when I read about McGonagall. And again when I read about the Sorcerer’s Stone. I didn’t have to “find” or “unlock” to read the content.
There’s more that I could write, especially about Ollivander’s and the Sorting Hat, but I will save that for a future post. For now, especially those who are not in yet, please post questions that you would like answered about Pottermore in the comments below.
I was so impatient and excited to read JKR’s new content, but more importantly, to put on the Sorting Hat, that I forgot the promise I had initially made for myself: that I would re-read Sorcerer’s Stone alongside Pottermore. That I would take my time and really savor the experience. However, this didn’t happen. Once I started exploring Pottermore, I lost the willpower to stop. This was the second problem that my impatience and excitement caused, one that I plan to write about more fully in an editorial to come later, “Pottermore: Devour or Savor?”
I’ve already asked this question on the Facebook page: Did you devour JKR’s new content or do you plan to savor the experience by re-reading Sorcerer’s Stone alongside Pottermore? Ask yourself this when you answer the question: when you read the books for the first time, did you find yourself taking your time with them, or reading as quickly as possible to find out what happens?
Please click here to answer the question “Devour or Savor” on Facebook.
These same concerns were somewhat raised in an article on Hypable.com. Alternatively, you can answer this question in the comments below. Thanks! Remember to follow or like for updates!
