Yahoo News Hogwarts Legacy: is author JK Rowling involved in the game?
Warner Bros. Games, the studio behind Hogwarts Legacy, has said that author JK Rowling is not involved in the development of the game.
The studio released an FAQ on Twitter regarding Rowling's involvement, or lack thereof, in the game, in what could be seen as an effort to appeal to people who don't want to associate with the author after her remarks.
"Q: What is J.K. Rowling’s involvement with the game? Is this a new story from J.K. Rowling?
A: J.K. Rowling is not directly involved in the creation of the game, however, her extraordinary body of writing is the foundation of all projects in the Wizarding World. This is not a new story from J.K. Rowling".
Due to recent remarks by JK Rowling, which have been labelled as transphobic, people are concerned about the implications of buying the new game which is set in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
That Hogwarts Legacy game looks lit af but I don’t wanna support JK Rowling 😩😩😭😭😭
— Simpiternal (@CrownTheJeremy)
People on Twitter, for example, are explaining that they "want to play Hogwarts Legacy", but that they also "hate JK Rowling".
Another person Tweeted out that they "don't want to support JK Rowling".
Rowling was accused of being transphobic after responding to an article headlined “Creating a more equal post-Covid-19 world for people who menstruate”.
She tweeted: “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
Rowling defended her comments and denies being transphobic.
She said: “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".
Due to this, the response online seems to indicate that people have been somewhat put off the Harry Potter franchise and series, being unwilling to buy the game.
One person said, "This game looks like it would be right up my alley... if it were not for the fact that a hateful bigot is making money off it".
This game looks like it would be right up my alley...if it were not for the fact that a hateful bigot is making money off it.
Donate a portion of the sales to a trans rights organization and I may consider changing my mind, but I just can't in good conscience support JK Rowling.— Bjorn Johnson (@bjornejohnson77)
While the Q&A indicates Rowling is not involved directly in the game, the world of Harry Potter and Hogwarts is all from her mind and the IP belongs to her.
I see a LOT of people with real weird beliefs about the game industry trying to justify buying Hogwarts Legacy without admitting they just don't care about trans people. Stuff like "supporting the game designers."
Let's talk about the realities of the game industry... pic.twitter.com/LP8knOWWjS— Crystal Frasier (@AmazonChique)
At the end of the day, it is up to the individual if they want to buy Hogwarts Legacy, warts and all.
Hogwarts Legacy was announced during Sony's PS5 Showcase this month, which also revealed the new Final Fantasy XVI and teased a new God of War, among other news.
Hogwarts Legacy will be released for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X in 2021
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Craft your own Harry Potter story in Hogwarts Legacy coming to PS5
