Hogwarts Legacy Controversy: What REALLY happened?

Some gamers have vowed to boycott the new Harry Potter video game Hogwarts Legacy after years of author J.K. Rowling repeatedly making controversial comments about transgender people. How did we get here, and what has Rowling said to spark this uproar?

Ahead of the February 2023 release of the new Harry Potter role-playing game Hogwarts Legacy, some call for a boycott in light of Rowling's statements. Rowling was not directly involved in the game's creation.

After trans YouTuber Jessie Earl tweets that supporting Hogwarts Legacy is "harmful to trans people," Rowling directly responds, comparing this stance to book burning. "Deeply disappointed @jessiegender doesn't realise purethink is incompatible with owning ANYTHING connected with me, in ANY form," Rowling sarcastically writes.

Heartstopper star Sebastian Croft apologizes on Twitter after it's announced that he is voicing a character in Hogwarts Legacy. "I was cast in this project over 3 years ago, back when all Harry Potter was to me, was the magical world I grew up with," he tweets. "This was long before I was aware of JK Rowling's views.

Hogwarts Legacy releases in February 2023, and many reviews from major outlets wrestle with the implications of purchasing a game that will financially benefit Rowling. Reviews, however, are largely positive.

IGN's 9 out of 10 review includes a more than 200-word section titled "Concerning J.K. Rowling," in which the outlet defends its decision to review the game at all, while arguing "there are good reasons (both in-game and out) to believe the developers" of Hogwarts Legacy "don't necessarily share her views."

Ahead of the official release, Hogwarts Legacy becomes the most popular game on the streaming platform Twitch, drawing millions of viewers.

[matthewl]

How in the hell can anyone justify firing someone because they wanted to play a video game like wtf, I hope she sued them

[zacharydrahm]

The fact that they have the ability to get people fired when they don’t have jobs themselves is beyond me.. what kind of employer be like “oh we hurt their feelings you gotta go” they wanna be accepted yet they’re turning everyone against them intentionally

[Lightning_Wolf]

When will people realize that people weren't playing it because they're transphobic, they're playing it because they like Harry Potter

[shea]

I got backlash when I saw other trans people getting mad about the trans character because she has a deeper voice???? I’m just like is that not acceptable in our community?

[theredraven]

I legit threatened my daughter teacher's for attacking my daughter over hogwarts legacy because she talk about it at school about wanna to get the game

[meliodad]

Limited run games should be sued. They cancelled a workers job which could have been their entire live to "foster a positive and safe environment for everyone" ironically didnt include that employee that just wanted to play a damn gamr

[Slitheringpeanut]

There's a lesbian MARRIED couple. MARRIED LESBIANS in 1890's England. One of them is a side quest giver, although her little quest is pretty useful.

[theredraven]

Hope she sue them for fired her over a game .

[Michael_Bancroft]

If you agree that people should just be able to enjoy what they enjoy without harrassment and bullying, hit that subscribe button!

[babaXIII]

Don't forget that they harassed people just for INTENDING to play the game. They bullied Pikamee off the internet for her thoughtcrime.

[MindOfNewt]

I am a trans person but I really like Harry Potter and the universe, but what Rowling says is bad so I just seperate the art from the artist

[BradyT]

I can’t help but agree that she didn’t do ANYTHING to make this game. All she probably did was allow them to use certain things from the books.

[brysonkuervers]

That is such an L move. Definitely won’t ever play a Limited Run Game if they try to control what their devs play. How does what someone enjoys playing automatically associate them with a group? I like GTA. Doesn’t mean I advocate for committing federal crimes. This nonsense is actually getting ridiculous

[archangeldeltius]

I disagree with Rowling's views but I feel like people forget all the workers that actually codded and designed the game, it's why I'm not a fan of certain activist circles, they don't seem to be able to identify the whole picture of anything

[JayantVermaYT]

This is a perfect example of a very vocal minority and irony. Hogwarts Legacy is a fantastic game

[lovepeople]

There's and old saying I like to recall in these situations:

Love the art, not the artist.


I have no idea who said that

[hadesflame]

Let'em screech their screeching on social media is nothing more than a whisper in the infinity that is the internet.

[HeadHunter]

I hope they know they lost what little support they had in the first place. Nobody's going to want to support them after this blows over

[kpopbob]

Sick of games just doing this because of the backlash on communities finding it not fair 10 years ago no one cared what next modern warfare 2 gets hate because no trans character

[nick_]

I don't think that anyone should lose their job over liking the game or winning the game or speaking anyway about it one way or the other. I personally just chose myself not to get it bc while Rowling didn't have a hand in making it, she definitely gets royalties from sales.