>
The new Harry Potter game Hogwarts Legacy is facing a boycott due to JK Rowling’s stance on transgender issues, as the author compares the action to book burning.
- The release of Hogwarts Legacy on PS5 and XBox One reignited the culture wars
- Trans rights activists call for boycott of author JK Rowling’s views
- The game is destined to be one of the blockbusters of the year when it is released.
The culture wars have reignited once again with the upcoming release of the Harry Potter-themed game, Hogwarts’ Legacy.
Trans rights activists have openly called for a boycott of the game, which will be available on the PS5 and XBox One consoles, as they criticize author JK Rowling’s stance on trans issues.
The game is expected to be one of the blockbusters of the year when it releases on February 10. The times reports.
The preparation for the game’s release has been dominated by boycott rumors, as well as a ban on its discussion on a prominent forum and even the firing of an employee.
Trans rights activists have openly called for a boycott of Hogwarts Legeacy while criticizing author JK Rowling’s stance on trans issues.
Hogwarts Legacy is expected to be one of the blockbusters of the year when it hits theaters on February 10.
Warner Bros Games is said to have made obvious moves to make the game appear inclusive, including allowing players to create trans witches and wizards.
Game director Alan Tew told IGN: “We know it’s a diverse audience. For us, it’s making sure that the audience that has always dreamed of having this game has a chance to feel welcome again.”
Although the game’s creators insist that JK Rowling was not directly involved in the game’s creation, part of her team did collaborate.
Trans YouTuber Jessie Earl, 30, who has more than 200,000 subscribers, was accused by Rowling of “pure thinking” when she tweeted that “any support for something like Hogwarts Legacy is harmful.”
The writer also compared her comment to burning books.
Warner Bros Games is said to have made obvious moves to make the game appear inclusive, including allowing players to create trans witches and wizards.
Elsewhere, American gamer Will Overgard also urged a boycott in a video that racked up two million views, insisting that “by supporting the title, you’re essentially aligning yourself with some really egregious transphobic values.”
The game’s voiceover cast has also been the subject of backlash. Sebastian Croft, who previously starred in Netflix’s LGBT series Heartstopper, was forced to explain his involvement after backlash from fans.
He said: ‘I was chosen for this project over three years ago, when all Harry Potter was to me was the wizarding world I grew up in.
‘This was long before I became aware of JK Rowling’s views. I wholeheartedly believe that trans women are women and trans men are men.’
Gaming forum ResetEra has notably banned discussion of Hogwarts Legacy, while also accusing Rowling of “pushing forward transphobic legislation.”
Review site Games Radar also began publishing a statement at the end of articles about Hogwarts Legacy: “acknowledging… its publicly stated harmful views regarding the rights of transgender people.”