There are quite a lot of Harry Potter games, but Hogwarts Legacy seems to be shaping up to be one of the greatest yet. Hogwarts Castle is an immersive place where gamers play as fifth-year students, with solid customization options, housing, detailed classes, spells, and much, much more. The game offers many hours of gameplay, even after the 35-hour storyline. Though the game seems very appealing, J.K. Rowling has increasingly associated herself with Hogwarts Legacy. This has made it hard for gamers to decide whether they should purchase the game in light of Rowling's transphobic views.
Ultimately, what each gamer decides to do is their own decision, as it is certainly not a black-and-white decision for those raised on the IP, though things have not been made easier by Rowling's most recent Twitter comments. Fortunately, Hogwarts Legacy is not written by Rowling, and the game goes to great lengths to be gender inclusive, which has been seen with the character creator. She no doubt benefits from it, even given her wealth, but it should also be noted that development on this game began in 2017. The earliest comments revealing Rowling's anti-trans stance seem to date back to 2019, meaning there are a lot of unknown variables as far as how aware WB was of Rowling's views. Regardless, some have argued that anything related to the author should be boycotted.
Hogwarts Legacy Distances Itself From J.K. Rowling
For most of her career, Rowling has been an inspiration to many and a role model for aspiring female writers. The Harry Potter series, which turned her into a household name, has the themes of friendship, tolerance, and the power of love at its center. In her personal life, Rowling has also shown herself to be philanthropic, and she has donated to several charity organizations and medical research for multiple sclerosis, which her mother passed away from. She has also founded Lumos, which is a charity organization designed to help children.
In recent years, however, Rowling's once pristine legacy has taken a nosedive. What began as little clues that she may harbor trans-exclusionary views has become a position that she publicly and firmly stands by. In addition to posting a host of Tweets that many have found to be offensive to trans people, she has also authored a long essay attempting to explain her position. However, the essay has also been heavily criticized for implying that trans people were victims of a trend and that women "are justifiably terrified by the trans activists."
Because Rowling has not backed down from her position, the public perception of her work changed. The Harry Potter series has received renewed scrutiny, and books that she writes under different pen names have also been accused of containing bigoted ideas. These accusations are also motivated by the fact that she chooses to write these novels under the name Robert Galbraith, a name she happens to share with the controversial doctor who experimented with gay conversion therapy.
Consequently, many fans have tried to call for a boycott of Rowling. This is a difficult feat to achieve because, despite its flaws, the Harry Potter series, for many, has deep sentimental value. Since the reveal of Hogwarts Legacy, there have also been calls for the game to be boycotted. However, fans have had the excuse that the developers have gone out of their way to express that Rowling is not involved with the project in any way. Multiple statements, clear features, and more show how this is Avalanche's view of the Harry Potter series and not hers. That excuse is quickly losing its power as Rowling embroils herself in a controversy surrounding the highly anticipated upcoming game.
J.K. Rowling Un-Distances Herself From Hogwarts Legacy
Jessie Gender is a YouTuber and online personality who happens to also be transgender. Recently, she made a few Tweets expressing her views surrounding the boycott of J.K. Rowling. She argues that fans who already own the products don't have to give them up, but that buying new products, such as Hogwarts Legacy, would be harmful. Rowling retweeted her and mockingly commented that "purethink" would require destroying anything connected to her in any way, including "their books and movies but the local library, anything with an owl on it and their own pet dogs."
With those Tweets, Rowling has connected herself with Hogwarts Legacy in perhaps the most negative way possible. Although the sarcasm is thick, her words encourage those who disagree with her transphobic views to not purchase Hogwarts Legacy. With all her wealth, she likely cares little for the success or failure of the product, but its failure would put undue stress on WB. Individual devs may already be paid, but given how many of them likely loved this IP for a long time, it's a disheartening position as well. Some have suggested that a failure of this product would dissuade future use of this IP, a good goal for a boycott, but it's not Rowling's pocket this hurts but the game publisher's. Again, based on the timeline of development and Rowling's very first public, anti-trans remarks, the publisher and developer would have likely had no idea about her views.
J.K. Puts Hogwarts Legacy Fans in a Difficult Position
For a long time, fans have been waiting for the perfect Harry Potter game; the appeal of attending a wizarding school appears to never get old. Over the years, there have been some great Harry Potter games, including those in the Lego Harry Potter Collection. However, none of them have been able to truly provide an immersive Hogwarts experience. Hogwarts Legacy appears to be the game many have been dreaming of for so long. Unfortunately, Rowling's involvement is making it harder than ever to justify purchasing the product.
The success of Hogwarts Legacy despite Rowling's defiant stance will give the sense that society tolerates her transphobic views and will continue to support her creative works. On the other hand, there is a giant workforce on the publishing and development end who have worked hard at what appears to be the most detailed and immersive Wizarding World experience to date, beginning with their passion for the IP, becoming mired in her distasteful views, and facing the backlash no one could have imagined years ago.
Rowling's transphobic stance has put a lot of groups in a position where, regardless of the outcome, there are no real winners. From the trailers shown, Hogwarts Legacy goes the extra mile to please fans of the franchise. There are minor details, and the different Hogwarts house common rooms have been created accurately. However, Hogwarts Legacy becoming a bestselling title gives Rowling an indication that she can continue her transphobic tirade without any consequences.
Hogwarts Legacy is scheduled to release on February 10, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, on April 4 on PS4 and Xbox One, and on July 25 on Nintendo Switch.