Hogwarts Legacy: Gameplay preview impressions At the very least, they should be noted in coverage of the title. In a recent publisher-led preview, we were able to get hands-on with three unique gameplay segments totalling 1.5 hours – and while we came away impressed by everything the game has to offer, from exploration to combat, it remains difficult to separate the game from its origins. This is present in the creation menu of the game, which allows you to select ‘Witch’ or ‘Wizard’ status regardless of gender identity and appearance.Ĭharacters are simply created, with no reference for gender beyond the Witch or Wizard binary.ĭespite these welcome steps, it’s hard to engage with Hogwarts Legacy beyond the shadow Rowling casts. In 2021, in response to Rowling’s beliefs, Avalanche confirmed that transgender characters can be created in the game, so that everyone can embody their chosen self. Read: Everything we know about Hogwarts Legacy The Q&A section of Hogwarts Legacy‘s website makes clear that she has not been involved with the project, although her Wizarding World team did act as intermediaries for lore creation and story guidelines. Interactive Entertainment, both have taken minor steps away from Rowling’s views, in an effort to distance the project from her sphere of harm. Interactive Entertainmentįor the part of Avalanche Software and Warner Bros. The stance of the Hogwarts Legacy development team > Image: Avalanche Software / Warner Bros. While this won’t reduce Rowling’s impact, it will aid transgender individuals in need. Those wishing to contribute to more worthwhile endeavours should consider donating to The Equality Project and other essential charity groups that are currently working to support transgender individuals in Australia, or The National Centre for Transgender Equality, if based in the US. Those keen to engage with the game need to reckon with this harm – whether that means removing their support entirely, separating the creation from Rowling (who had no direct involvement in development, though does benefit financially from sales), or choosing to support alternative causes. While developed in earnest, during the height of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts fever, it now exists in the ‘after’ – a period defined only by Rowling’s unfortunate, ignorant views and refusal to acknowledge just how much harm her rants have caused. This is largely why Hogwarts Legacy is in an extremely difficult, unenviable position. When questioned how she sleeps at night, knowing she’s alienated her entire fanbase, her official, smug response was: ‘ I read my most recent royalty cheques and find the pain goes away pretty quickly.’ She has also frequently posted anti-trans articles on Twitter, self-identified as a TERF (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist), and frequently targeted fans attempting to explain the harm she’s caused, in an attempt to have them ‘dogpiled’ by her rabid fanbase.ĭespite frequent requests from the trans community to leave them alone, Rowling continues to double down on her beliefs, tainting the legacy of Harry Potter, a favourite childhood story of many. Since 2020, Rowling has gone from questioning the definition of women to referring to transgender people as ‘ penised individuals‘ liable to initiate rape. What began as misinformed rhetoric from Rowling implying the rights of transgender people and their desire to be respected somehow infringed on the rights of cisgender women, has quickly morphed into openly derogatory, public comments made about the transgender community, and a refusal to walk back harm. Read: Hogwarts Legacy game strives for player freedom and inclusion – Interview Harry Potter and the Wizarding World in 2023
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