Hogwarts Legacy Debate Hits New Low

 The launch of Hogwarts Legacy has been a controversial one. Ever since the inception of the announcement, the debate was already dominating online spaces, discussing whether or not it would be problematic to partake in an IP created by an individual that many consider deeply transphobic.

We need to take a step back to understand the current line of discourse fully. Let’s review precisely how this once beloved IP became the catalyst for the deeply divided online conversation.

The Controversy Begins: J.K Rowling

In recent years, the mastermind behind the original IP, JK Rowling, has found herself in a fierce social debate regarding transgender women and their place in society. As a feminist and champion of women’s rights, Rowling has been at the forefront of the conversation. She has argued against the idea that trans women should be afforded the same rights as sis women. In defense of her takes against the transgender community, Rowling has rebelled against the notion that she is anti-trans and stated that she is simply pro-women.

Detractors and activists have rebelled against the notion that JK Rowling is simply pro-women. They argue that trans women are women; therefore, their takes regarding the community are still riddled with hate.

Despite this, Rowling still has a sizable audience agreeing with her takes. Harry Potter remains one of the biggest franchises in history, and there can be no debate regarding the popularity of the IP.

This brings us to Hogwarts Legacy and the immediate debate in the aftermath. The transgender community and activists supporting them have been adamant that anyone defending this IP is hurting the community by keeping something connected to a person who denies groups of people their right to exist.

The Hogwarts Legacy Boycott

Although futile in their mission, the boycott attempt against this game has been quite aggressive. Activists have slammed anyone connected to the title. They have gone out of their way to make their voices heard against anyone daring to play the game. Review bombing, death threats, and rigorous harassment are but a few ways in which those daring to commit the ultimate sin have been punished.

Defenders of the IP and those against the boycott have pushed back against some of the discourse regarding the protest of the title. They state that boycotters are only interested in garnering attention for themselves online. The people angry on Twitter also use a social media platform owned by a person with the same views as Rowling. Those protesting the game online would not dare make their voice heard in person at places like Universal Studios. Here, JK Rowling gets a much larger profit share when people visit the Harry Potter Theme park. This will take effort; we all know how Twitter activists feel about that.

I have expressed my views regarding this boycott on numerous occasions. Although some might have merits, not playing Hogwarts will do little to prevent hate against the transgender community. Gathering the masses and standing up for your right to exist is essential. Unfortunately, your battle with a video game won’t get you any closer to achieving that goal.

Hogwarts Legacy Transphobia Debate Hits A New Low

The response from the media, in particular, has been exciting to monitor. There is a trend within the video game space where reviewers think it is appropriate to inform us about their social and political standings while reviewing a brand-new title. How you vote or what social issue you believe in is irrelevant while reviewing The Witcher 3. It would be highly inappropriate for me to list five reasons why you should buy GTA 5 during a panel discussing assault, so why do you think it is appropriate to inform me about your political leanings during a video game segment?

Narcissism and ego play a massive part in today’s online discourse. That is the only logical conclusion I can draw as to why so many feel emboldened to slip their personal beliefs into a game review that has nothing to do with them. When the audience watches a review, they are there for the game. Many cannot come to terms with the idea that those watching are not there for them.

A 1 out of 10-star review from Wired has been making the rounds recently. Within this review, “and I am using that term very loosely here, the reviewer discusses the game and gives a rating many would consider highly unfavorable. The review’s issue is not that Wired did not enjoy playing the game. We all know enjoyment is subjective; thus, you can express your opinion. This review, however, forms part of a much larger trend within the video game space.

No Credibility left

Call me old fashioned, but I believe that a reviewer has the responsibility to somewhat and unbiasedly highlight all of the strong points and weak points within the title for the listener or reader to make an informed decision about whether they would be interested in picking up the game.

The mentioned reviewer from the Wired article does not say the actual game. They spend almost no time discussing their conclusion, scoring the title a one. Most of the article is about JK Rowling, who had no creative control over this game. They proceed to expand on the issue of transphobia and make the strange connection between goblins and Jewish people.

This is but one example of a reviewer thinking it is appropriate to inform us about their personal identity politics while masking it under the guise of a review. Using the internet to express yourself and state your opinions about a subject is no crime. I give my opinion about a wide range of topics all the time. However, you carry a certain level of responsibility when reviewing a video game. Many outlets fail to uphold that duty to fans in today’s overly political online space.

Hogwarts Legacy Continues To Thrive

Despite all the backlash, Hogwarts’ Legacy continues to thrive. Most have ignored the screaming voices and instead spent their time enjoying the wizarding world. The game has received rave reviews from all across the internet, scoring a 9 out of 10 on most platforms. Sales were through the roof even before the official launch. At the time of writing, millions of copies have already shipped. They are on course to sell 10 million copies within the first week as almost a million current players are simultaneously enjoying the title on Steam. Most of the sales might be from PlayStation, but overall, Hogwarts Legacy has been a smash hit everywhere.

Boycotts rarely work. Bullying people into activism is always a bad idea. The biggest takeaway from this controversy is leaving others alone to enjoy whatever they like.