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'Hogwarts Legacy': Fans say the new game looks brilliant but don't want to make ‘transphobe’ JK Rowling richer

The immersive, open-world action RPG is set in the 1800s at the iconic Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the ‘Harry Potter’ book series

On Wednesday, September 16, Warner Bros. announced a new ‘Harry Potter’ game called ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ as part of Sony’s PlayStation 5 price reveal live stream event. The game is developed by Avalanche Software and is set in the 1800s at the iconic Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the ‘Harry Potter’ book series.

According to the game’s website, ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ is an immersive, open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the ‘Harry Potter’ books. “Now you can take control of the action and be at the center of your own adventure in the wizarding world. Embark on a journey through familiar and new locations as you explore and discover fantastic beasts, customize your character and craft potions, master spell casting, upgrade talents, and become the wizard you want to be,” promises the game. 

As per the website, the character you choose in the game is a student who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart. The character, who received a late acceptance to the Hogwarts, would soon discover that they are no ordinary student: they possess an unusual ability to perceive and master Ancient Magic. Only they can decide if they will protect this secret for the good of all, or yield to the temptation of more sinister magic.

“Discover the feeling of living at Hogwarts as you make allies, battle Dark wizards, and ultimately decide the fate of the wizarding world,” says the game’s website. “Your legacy is what you make of it.”

The reveal confirms long-running rumors, following a massive 2018 leak, of an open-world game set in the ‘Harry Potter’ universe. Avalanche’s story head Adrian Ropp wrote in a Sony blog post: “Who was the headmaster? What challenges did students face? What influenced their society before Tom Riddle, before Newt Scamander? I like to say that what we are giving fans is something familiar in a way they have never seen.”

The game’s lush trailer had many fans excited. But even as that happened, many more reminded others that they should not be supporting ‘Harry Potter’ author JK Rowling, who very recently earned the wrath of some of the fandom for her allegedly transphobic views. Her latest book, ‘Troubled Blood’, the fifth installment in the ‘Cormoran Strike’ detective series, written under her frequent pseudonym Robert Galbraith, is reportedly about a cis-gendered man who dresses up like a woman to kill other women. 

Rowling has expressed views percieved as transphobic that has resulted in her being called a Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist (TERF) along with the wrath of some fans, gender activists, trans folk, and others, and has also attracted disapproval from actors such as Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, who have played major roles in the ‘Harry Potter’ films.

Gaming journalist Laura Kate Dale wrote on Twitter, “Oh, that open-world Harry Potter game is finally being revealed officially. Reminder, buying this game does financially support J.K. Rowling, who is a huge unapologetic Terf. She actively hates people like me existing.” She further wrote, “Literally 24 hours ago you were all being very vocal about how horrible a transphobe Rowling is. Don't forget that energy now a cool shiny Harry Potter thing is being shown off. Hogwarts LEgacy is releasing 2021, I guess,” adding, “I really hope not to see you all uncritically hyping that Harry Potter game up without mentioning how Rowling actively campaigns to roll back trans rights and keeps writing books about trans women who are murderous villains. She will profit off this game existing.”

YouTuber Anna Brisbin wrote, “Hogwarts Legacy looks INCREDIBLE and is something I've dreamt of for YEARS, but any penny I put into it I will also donate to a trans charity and any content I produce from it (probably streams?) will also be a dedicated trans charity fundraiser. The weapon we have is love.” Another Twitter user wrote, “I’m so conflicted because I’ve wanted a Harry Potter RPG for so long but there’s no way I can play Hogwarts Legacy without lining the pockets of a transphobe #PlayStation5.” YouTuber TB Skyen said, “Even if this Harry Potter game opens with ‘f*** J.K. Rowling, trans rights forever’, you shouldn't buy it, because it still gives her clout and influence and money. Don't buy Hogwarts Legacy. #PS5.”

More and more fans agreed that no matter how good the game looked, it was not worth buying it just because of Rowling. One Twitter user wrote, “Hogwarts Legacy looks so good, but with the author almost certainly getting paid from it I don't think I could buy it in good conscience.” Another Twitter user wrote, “I hate how good Hogwarts Legacy looks. That is the game 10-year-old me was begging for. Now my love for that property and franchise has been torn to shreds because the author is a dirty TERF garbage person."

Warner Bros. has confirmed that ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ will release some time in 2021 for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X / Series S.