Hogwarts Legacyis likely to come out in 2022, and has been the dream game of manyHarry Potterfans thanks to its open-world setting, RPG choices, true-to-the-book locations, and customizable characters. However, the fact it is calledHogwarts Legacyis ironic given the current state ofHarry Potter’slegacy. The series' author, J.K. Rowling, has become infamous for her transgender-exclusionary radical feminism, and has lost many fans through her support of anti-transgender individuals and organizations.
Rowling tweeted an essay on her anti-transgender thoughts in 2019, though theHogwarts Legacygame has been in development since as early as 2017. The excitement for the game has dulled over the years, and there were questions circulating about whether Rowling herself will profit from the game or not. The short answer is yes, she will undoubtedly make money off the game. The developers ofHogwarts Legacyhave done their best to shake off her influence, but in the endHogwarts Legacyis also part ofRowling’s legacy.
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Rowling’s Involvement, or Lack Thereof
A FAQ on theHogwarts Legacywebsite saysRowling has no direct involvementin the games' creation, and that the game is just based on her world. The developers are avoiding the elephant in the room regarding how much profit the writer will make from gamers flocking into Hogwarts. An article by Vulture touched on this duality of the game, as it tiptoes around Rowling’s profits while trying to disown her ideas saying, “Hogwarts LegacyCan’t Escape J.K. Rowling.” They are right, which has been a sad reality of the upcoming game. After all, the royalties in Rowling’s pockets can go straight to anti-transgender organizations and movements.
Many have pitiedthe RPG developers, as they spent many years making a large game likely without knowing what the legacy ofHarry Potterwas going to become. While some may say the backlash is an overreaction, it is fair for the masses when there is someone richer and more powerful who is untouchable by any other means. In that light, many fans have decided to either boycott the game or go as far as to wait till they can buy it second-hand.
The developers have made trans-inclusive efforts in the game, as witches can have masculine voices and wizards can have feminine voices. Sadly, that still does not fix the problem ofHarry Potter’slegacy, as it is still money in Rowling’s pocket at the end of the day. Some fans even found the transgender addition to be dishonest, as gamers will make transgender characters while lining the pockets of an anti-transgender celebrity author.
The Source Material’s Legacy
The childlike magic ofHarry Potteris not gone, but it is complicated. Those who grew up with the books, had Hogwarts-themed birthday parties, roleplayedbeing witches in Hogsmeade, and dreamed of getting their own letter to Hogwarts may have felt betrayed when Rowling published her trans-exclusionary writings. Many wish they can reclaim the magic as their own, and some may have hoped thatHogwarts Legacycould let them live that dream, but the muggle world is not so kind. Many fans are grown now, and part of growing up is learning about what happens behind the curtains of these magical worlds.
The legacy ofHarry Potteris in a bad place right now, andHogwarts Legacyhad unfortunate timing. The nostalgic magic is on break for a lot of dedicated fans untilHarry Pottermoney can flow somewhere better, which may be as long as lifetimes in the future. Rowling’s trans-exclusionary rhetoric has reared its head repeatedly on Twitter, to the point that it has become louder thanthe magical world she built- much to the detriment of the team behindHogwarts Legacy.
Outside of the trans-exclusionary fallout, most recent additions to theHarry Potterworld have not had great reviews. TheFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themfilmsand theCursed Childsequel story have not been well received in comparison to the main series of books and movies. Rowling has added salt to those wounds with unpopular add-on facts over social media. In terms of quality, characters, and world-building, theHarry Potteruniverse has taken a downward spiral as well.
Old fans who enjoyedHarry Potteron PS1and PC with Hagrid’s polygon face may have dreamed of aHogwarts Legacy-type of experience. However, the legacy of that world’s invisibility cloaks and chocolate frogs has changed for many fans, as even Hagrid’s actor Robbie Coltrane has come out to defend Rowling’s bigotry. Maybe one day fans can get the Hogwarts letter they always wanted and safely exit their closets, but for now it’s much more complicated in the muggle world.
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacyis rumored to release in 2022 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
