A new video from the upcoming Harry Potter game, Hogwarts Legacy, spotlights a Hippogriff. The video was posted earlier today and asked if players will be able to gain its trust. It is one of many Hogwarts Legacy videos the developer has posted as the game's release date grows ever closer.Hogwarts Legacy was officially revealed in 2020 during the PlayStation 5 showcase despite being leaked several months earlier. The release date for the game was delayed several times before it seemingly settled on its current February date. The game has not been without its fair share of controversies, and some have wondered how well the game will perform or even if it should. This, however, has not stopped the developer and publisher from pushing the advertising end of things.Over the past month, the developers have been releasing new videos advertising the upcoming game. A recent Hogwarts Legacy clip showed dragons fighting in a pit while others showed the main character swimming. More recently, the developer released a new clip that spotlighted the Hippogriff. The video in question, simply showed the creature standing in a field, with a description of the animal below it. The caption above asked whether the player would be able to earn its respect.
Hippogriffs were first introduced into the franchise in the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The animal, Buckbeak, was a key character in one of the book's biggest subplots, having harmed supporting antagonist Draco Malfoy and sentenced to death. Last year it was revealed that at least one Hippogriff would be in Hogwarts Legacy though it currently isn't clear how big of a role the creature will play in the game.
Since it was originally announced, Hogwarts Legacy has been the subject of several controversies. Lead Developer Troy Leavitt left the production of Hogwarts Legacy after his former support for Gamergate was revealed. The game's primary Goblin antagonist has also drawn controversy as many have seen the Goblin characters in the franchise as anti-semitic. Furthermore, it was announced on the heels of J.K. Rowling making several comments that have been viewed as transphobic. While the Hogwarts Legacy developer has tried to distance itself from Rowling's views, it remains a hot-button issue for many familiar with the situation. Whether the game's quality overcomes these issues remains to be seen but, for the time being, it looks as if the Hippogriff will play some kind of role in the player's journey in the Wizarding World.
Hogwarts Legacy launches February 10 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, April 4 for PS4 and Xbox One, and July 25 for Nintendo Switch.