Hogwarts Legacy has achieved immense success but not escaped controversy. The recently released RPG has become the top bestseller across multiple gaming platforms and has achieved near-universal critical and fan acclaim - a difficult feat. However, Hogwarts Legacy's fame could be due to the Harry Potter franchise's success. While Hogwarts Legacy developer Avalanche Software attempted to distance itself and the game from the discussion around Harry Potter, there is virtually no way to escape the bigoted and hateful comments of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. While Hogwarts Legacy attempts to overcome Rowling's influence, it doesn't do enough to support the Trans gamers who are most at risk.

While some fans of the Hogwarts Legacy have been able to separate the game from J.K. Rowling, many members of the Trans community have faced the success of a game that seems to perpetuate the financial and intellectual resurgence of a transphobic figure. The long-standing debate around the moral implications of a Harry Potter game has been simmering underneath the surface of gaming culture for years. Now that Hogwarts Legacy has been released - and the parties involved in its development are richly rewarded - Trans players have not had their voices heard.

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Avalanche Software Needs More Than Performative Representation to Support Trans Gamers

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Among the deluge of controversies that have emerged after Hogwarts Legacy's release is the appearance of one specific character in the game. In the game's first act, players travel to Hogsmeade and meet Sirona Ryan, the proprietor of "The Three Broomsticks" tavern. Given that Sirona does not have a significant role in the events of Hogwarts Legacy but is openly Trans, some gamers have alleged that her character is simply the developer's way of undercutting J.K. Rowling's transphobic and bigoted views. Unfortunately, adding one Trans character into a video game does not erase the hurt that J.K. Rowling has caused, no matter how pure the intentions were behind Sirona's character.

Not only have gamers been underwhelmed with the performative representation in Hogwarts Legacy, but there have been issues within the game's fan community. For instance, one Hogwarts Legacy Discord Moderator allegedly told players to stop talking about Trans rights. In this example, developers may want to avoid negative discourse by controlling how gamers interact within their social media communities. However, in doing so, they effectively silence the voices of marginalized groups who may be negatively affected by the game.

Developers Need To Be Aware That Video Games Have A Real-Life Impact

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While many Hogwarts Legacy players have purchased the game because they have lifelong connections to Harry Potter, some have bought it to support the anti-Trans movement. Some Hogwarts Legacy fans may be unaware that despite J.K. Rowling being uninvolved with the development of the RPG, she will still receive some amount of money. Because the game is set in the Harry Potter universe, there is no natural way for Avalanche Software and Warner Bros. Games to separate Hogwarts Legacy from the author. While it might be challenging to comprehend, any attention or money that J.K. Rowling receives from the sales of Hogwarts Legacy may be taken as justification for her beliefs.

Regardless of the backlash that Hogwarts Legacy creators are receiving, Trans gamers are most at risk of having their lives endangered and their voices lost. If one thing can be gained from the controversy around Hogwarts Legacy and any future Harry Potter projects, it is that video games have significant cultural and financial influence. But it's not enough for developers to boycott buying a game they contributed to. Given the number of horror games that controversial author H.P. Lovecraft influences - and the many potential similarities to the Hogwarts Legacy controversy - it might be time for creators to consider writing wholly original stories.

Hogwarts Legacy is out now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X with PS4 and Xbox One versions coming April 4 and a Switch release dropping July 25.

MORE: Hogwarts Legacy's Gender-Neutral Character Customization Is Not Enough to Distance Itself From J.K. Rowling