Cover Photo by Artem Maltsev (Unsplash)
Photo by Artem Maltsev (Unsplash)
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The newly released action role-playing game based on the Harry Potter novels takes on the headlines, but is the context positive?
Almost everyone you know knows Harry Potter.
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Harry Potter, renowned as a series of fantasy novels that took the globe by storm after giving birth to a wizarding world loved by many, is yet again bearing fruit. The parallel universe of Hogwarts and all the characters that we grew up with and love were an undeniable success. From books, films, collectable merchandise, games, quizzes, shows, spinoffs, and amusement parks—British author JK Rowling truly made a mark with her legendary masterpiece.
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It was no surprise when Harry Potter was famed as one of the fastest-selling collections in history and the highest-grossing media franchise of all time, bearing a massive fanbase known as the 'Potterheads'. Once again, its recent fame in the form of a video game named the Hogwarts Legacy is all over the web. But what is the discussion all about? Are the followers buzzing off on how true it is to the narrative? Are the gamers criticizing its gameplay? Or is it the debate between communities who are questioning whether to support it—and why?
In the middle of the pandemic last 2020, Harry Potter novelist Rowling came under fire for her standpoint towards transgender women through her tweets about gender issues and sex perspective going viral. For those long months that started in June, the author’s name was tied with ‘transphobic’ and that was only the beginning.
Since then, the controversial issue drew a line between Harry Potter enthusiasts and trans activists. Rowling even went the extra mile and published a lengthy post on her website in an attempt to clear the air. She further sent out a tweet which read as the ‘TERF wars’, explaining her side on the acronym that stands for Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist. Amidst the backlash, celebrities such as Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson even gave their two cents on Twitter on the matter. But in Rowling’s case, the damage has been done. She even revealed that she received death threats and a lot of her fans’ burning desire for the title and its franchise turned to an unfortunate thirst for the prominent writer to go down in flames instead.
Above A Hungarian Horntail Dragon: Photo by Craig Adderley (Pexels)
A Hungarian Horntail Dragon: Photo by Craig Adderley (Pexels)
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It was no longer a question of whether one belonged to the house of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff. The outrage went beyond all the Harry Potter magic as for the supporters, its creator extinguished the power of love, acceptance, sense of belonging, hope, and courage—all of which are penned in the book series' storyline.
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Indeed, a war has broken through on identity concerns that society has been recurrently dealing with. Rowling and all things Harry Potter are now a subject of morality with the Potterheads’ train of thoughts torn on how to separate the world they love from its prejudiced genius.
Above The Hogwarts Express: Photo by Eirik Raudi (Pixabay)
The Hogwarts Express: Photo by Eirik Raudi (Pixabay)
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Another dilemma comes to light with the latest release of the role-playing video game Hogwarts Legacy. Who would not want to experience being a student in the popular School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Developer Avalanche Software and publisher Warner Bros. Games brought the adventure to life through an immersive, open-world action game.
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Players of Hogwarts Legacy are teased about exploring Hogwarts while similarly roaming Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area. Characters are told that they can learn spells, brew potions, grow plants, tend enchanted beasts, forge relationships, get sorted in their befitting house, and master their witch or wizarding skills on top of the mission, battles, and boss fights that await them.
What a way to live the dream, right? Imagine being a house member of Gryffindor after your interaction with the sorting hat, chanting ‘alohomora’ properly just like Hermione Granger would prefer it, and making loyal friends such as Ron Weasley who’ll be with you throughout your magical journey. Your own adventure in Harry Potter’s footsteps is merely taps and clicks away from your keyboard, console, or mouse, and the depth of your screen. It is certainly a fantasy turned into reality.
Also read: Watch Daniel Radcliffe And Other Mega Stars Read 'Harry Potter" To You From Their Living Rooms
Yet behind all the fun and excitement, there’s that lingering thought of Rowling profiting off the game. To make matters worse from a certain viewpoint, Hogwarts Legacy debuts the first transgender character of the Harry Potter franchise, probably in a feeble response to the dispute which is digested by the public as either a further form of mockery or Rowling's admitted mistake. There’s also that worry of approving one of society’s greatest issues and its proposed enabler to carry on unscathed through a masked strategy of additional glory. And of course, the agonizing burden of whether it is offensive to the LGBTQ community and the prospect of undermining the feelings of those who are deeply affected.
Is it achievable to separate your beliefs and ideals while you enjoy a promising game? Does putting an end to the Harry Potter legacy and its constituents a wise, just, and significant move for the benefit of gender communities? In this era of call-out culture, is it high time for Rowling to finally be cancelled or perhaps, is that even possible? How does this affect other writers and those looking into the Harry Potter franchise?
See more: Transgender Icons on the Importance of Representation
At the end of the day—and be honest—who would miss out on embarking on a journey to Hogwarts in the 1800s? Should we not support Hogwarts Legacy? And the biggest question of it all is, can we still love Harry Potter and forgive Rowling? You tell me.
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Kristina's passion to write came from her love for books. If her nose isn't buried in one nor her fingers are tapping away on a keyboard working on a write-up, you'll find her having a feast at a new restaurant or savouring coffee in the nearest shop listening to rock music. Also interested in computer games and all things Japan, she spends her free time playing Dota 2, watching anime, as well as reading manga.
