It offers news, features, and articles as well as new and previously unreleased writing by J. K. Rowling regarding the Wizarding World.
A newly designed Sorting Ceremony was subsequently launched in January 2016 in which users could reclaim their old house or be re-sorted.
This website, created by Rowling, used Google Maps to reveal hidden letters that spelled out the title of her secret announcement.
Only a certain number of people each day were allowed to use the Magic Quill clue for registration, but this quickly added up to a total of one million users at the end of the challenge (6 August 2011).
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..." On 10 August 2011, Pottermore sent a congratulatory email to registered users that confirmed early entry.
[25] Early users also said that even though the site did not bring back the same feelings of excitement from when the books were released, it did add an extra layer to the reading experience.
The website officially opened on 14 April 2012, but at that time, the interactive experience was only available for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
In these chapters, users could do things from the book, such as see The Dark Mark, watch the Quidditch World Cup, and find a Chudley Cannons badge in Ron Weasley's room.
Between April and July 2014, while Chapters 21 through 37 of Goblet of Fire were in development, the site periodically released "articles" from the franchise's fictional newspaper The Daily Prophet, pertaining to 2014 Quidditch World Cup.
Written in-universe by the character Ginny Weasley (by then married to Harry), the articles detailed the various matches of the sporting event between sixteen countries such as Bulgaria, the United States, Japan, and Brazil.
A further article, written in-universe by reporter Rita Skeeter and released on 8 July 2014, had detailed various, never-before-seen tidbits on the lives of the story's protagonists.
Tricks consisted of a puzzle or game that needed to be solved to provide hints of things included in the new update.
In the fifth book, users could read new content from J.K. Rowling, such as Professor Umbridge's backstory, the mystery of Thestrals, and even the history of the Ministry of Magic.
On 5 December 2014, Pottermore gave users early access to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince only if they answered a series of riddles correctly.
[30] There, the visitor could find more information about Inferi, Florean Fortescue's forgotten plot to help Harry, the Order of Merlin, Draco Malfoy's secrets, and more.
On 23 June 2015, Pottermore gave users access to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book.
Members of Pottermore win and lose House points as they duel, brew potions, and explore the books.
The first House Cup was awarded on 5 July 2012 to Slytherin, who also received early access to the first four chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The second House Cup was awarded to Gryffindor on 21 November 2012, whose members received screen-savers and desktop backgrounds for electronic devices.
As a reward, all members of the Hufflepuff house gained early access to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
The reward was announced on 4 April 2014, as being members of Ravenclaw house, users will enjoy early access to the final instalment of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, as well as commemorative desktop wallpapers.
[citation needed] A UK art studio, Atomhawk Design, created drawings of key scenes from the books in two and three-dimensional styles.
On 22 September 2015, Pottermore launched a newly designed site containing news, features and articles plus previously unreleased writing by J.K. Rowling and removed some of its most prominent features including the interactive Moment illustrations, House Cup, and Sorting Ceremony.
A newly designed Sorting Ceremony was subsequently launched on 28 January 2016 in which users could reclaim their old house or be re-sorted.
Since the site's relaunch Pottermore revealed the origins of the Potter family, locations and information regarding wizarding schools around the world and "History of Magic in North America".