New Harry Potter Video Game, “Hogwarts Legacy” Features Transgender Character

Summary:

• “Hogwarts Legacy” video game released today, developed by Avalanche Software at Warner Bros, inspired by Harry Potter series.

• J.K. Rowling’s controversial comments on transgender women continue to spark backlash and disappointment among fans and activists.

• New character introduced in game as a PR move faces criticism amidst ethical dilemmas for fans.

“Hogwarts Legacy”, a video game developed by Avalanche Software at Warner Bros, launched today. The game stems from the mythology of the popular Harry Potter series, originally written by J.K. Rowling. Rowling is continuously followed by her controversial comments regarding transgender women that were posted to her Twitter account in 2020. Activists felt that Rowling’s language was transphobic and showed a limited understanding of gender expression.

If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020

Following a series of tweets in which Rowling struggles to separate gender identity from sex assigned at birth, she went on to publish an essay titled “TERF Wars.” The term “TERF” stands for Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist. In the essay, Rowling continues to ignore complaints from activists and former fans regarding her lack of understanding of gender expression. The controversy began when Rowling liked another person’s tweet that excluded trans women from the feminist movement because they were assigned male at birth.

https://twitter.com/parislees/status/1270810589468733442?s=20&t=aYlYa59qS61VHyUv83qzIw

Rowling claims that all of this began while she was researching for a trans character she was writing–the character appeared in her novel Troubled Blood, and the depiction was largely criticized for being a caricature of trans stereotypes.

Following the emergence of the controversy in 2020, many members of the cast of the Harry Potter film franchise expressed disagreement with Rowling’s transphobic views, and invited their fans to educate themselves or donate to trans-inclusive charity organizations, including the Trevor Project.  These were notably Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Bonnie Wright, Rupert Grint, and Eddie Redmayne.

I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.

— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020

Nearly three years later, the controversy continues to haunt Rowling’s formerly loyal fanbase. Even fellow acclaimed author Stephen King tweeted on the issue, expressing support for trans women.

Yes. Trans women are women.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) June 28, 2020

The “TERF Wars” essay came as a major disappointment to LGBTQ+ fans and allies of the acclaimed and hugely popular Harry Potter franchise. Several of the characters in the book series preach of love and acceptance, and to learn of Rowling’s beliefs was devastating.

Harry Potter is about the magic of love, acceptance, belonging. The power of courage. The impact of hope. Trying to take those things away from people is a terrible tragedy. Trans women are women. 💖

— Mallory Rubin (@MalloryRubin) June 10, 2020

Fans were met with an ethical dilemma at today’s game release. Some felt that because Rowling did not write the game, that it would be okay to play it for old time’s sake. Others wanted a complete clean break from the franchise altogether.

For anyone who is a Harry Potter fan and wants to play the new game without supporting JKR, here are suggestions. Buy it used or donate money to an LGBTQ+ charity to offset the royalty price. If you don't want it in your house at all that's perfectly understandable as well.

— Stefan Swanlund (@StefanSwanlund) February 6, 2023

https://twitter.com/MrBLTs/status/1622453808117993472?s=20&t=ZPOM5odabNJEz4GhsufJsw

The thing that will never cease to amaze me about people who tirelessly defend Harry Potter is that they'll say, "But you used to like it, you just don't like it anymore because you disagree with JKR's brazen transphobia" and it's like… Yes? Why would I need any other reason

— Cian Maher (@cianmaher0) February 6, 2023

Others turned to the game’s introduction of a new character in the Harry Potter universe–Sirona Ryan, a transgender woman. The move was likely made to regain the trust of Rowling’s former fanbase, but it continues to draw criticism from the LGBTQ+ community on social media.

Sirona Ryan is such an insane thing to name the first trans Harry Potter character. They might as well have called her Misterima David or Boybitsa Jerry.

— Jaclyn Moore (@JaclynPMoore) February 6, 2023

https://twitter.com/iamtheaardvark/status/1622669779353108480?s=20&t=8158rq9M0kxgBlvANxvIoQ

Satirical memes of the situation to depict the blatant PR save with Sirona’s character made the rounds on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Vward98/status/1622689272447832085?s=20&t=8158rq9M0kxgBlvANxvIoQ

https://twitter.com/JUNlPER/status/1622650128682057761?s=20&t=8158rq9M0kxgBlvANxvIoQ

Other avid readers pointed out that despite the nostalgic tug of the series, people need to distance themselves, as the many extensions of the series all likely profit J.K. Rowling in some way.

https://twitter.com/DaveScheidt/status/1622726097367445506?s=20&t=8158rq9M0kxgBlvANxvIoQ

The transphobia allegations are only one of several controversies to surround the series. Others include negative stereotypes of Jewish and Black people.

https://twitter.com/PSPersephone/status/1622683375466332161?s=20&t=8158rq9M0kxgBlvANxvIoQ

Just a reminder that J.K Rowling has a black character in Harry Potter named Shacklebolt. pic.twitter.com/mZlQJDeXfY

— … (@Dreadful4Tymes) February 6, 2023

Outside of the controversies associated with the novels and film franchise, gamers are praising the developers of “Hogwarts Legacy” for its accurate depiction of the Hogwarts grounds.

https://twitter.com/MKH13Omasters/status/1621816291693834242?s=20&t=8158rq9M0kxgBlvANxvIoQ

The game is currently available to download here.