Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced the release date for the next title in the Harry Potter video game franchise today. The Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game is now scheduled to release worldwide on June 30^th, just ahead of the theatrical release of the like-named Warner Bros. Pictures film.

As in the book the film is based on, the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game will take players back to Hogwarts to help Harry survive yet another peril-filled year at the school of wizardry (you'd think they have done something about it by now, but no). You'll have the chance to engage in wizards duels, mix magical ingredients and brew up a storm in Potions class, and hit the “field” to lead Gryffindor's Quidditch team to victory.

“Working with EA, we look forward to offering fans a compelling Harry Potter video game, one which captures the thrilling storyline and high visual quality of the movie,” Scott Johnson, Vice President of Business Development for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has said. “The adherence to the rich fiction is a trademark of this franchise and with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince fans will experience the most authentic and enjoyable game in the series to date.”

The Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game is being developed by EA's Bright Light studio in Guildford, England for Xbox 360, Playstation 2, Playstation 3, PSP, Nintendo DS, Wii, PC, Mac and wireless. This game is not yet rated.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince details

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn't counted on Romilda Vane’s chocolates! And then there’s Hermione, simmering with jealously but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.