Hogwarts Legacy Video Game and JKR

[BootsAndRoots]

A strange topic for this Mumsnet forum, but an appropriate one.

On Thursday Sony unveiled more details on a Harry Potter game called Hogwarts Legacy that will be released on PlayStation et al.

As you would expect video game websites have covered the news, but the majority of them have stated that JK Rowling is transphobic, and some have published long accompanying TRA articles. It would almost as if the whole industry has to report on the subject in a very particular way.

www.gamespot.com/articles/jk-rowlings-anti-transgender-stance-and-hogwarts-legacy/1100-6501632/
www.ign.com/articles/how-harry-potter-fans-are-coping-with-jk-rowling

Video games should be removed from all of this political talk, but it seems to me that video games journalism is probably seen as a key battleground for the activists. It wouldn't surprise me if some lobbying groups have stipulated how these subjects should be covered and have to give a platform to TRAs who push a very deliberate agenda on a predominantly young audience.

@burnoutbabe

Also now articles are saying the game is racist due to using the goblins as characters. (Same trans author)

[[https://www.thegamer.com/hogwarts-legacy-harry-potter-plot-anti-semitic-goblins-villains/?utm]]source=TG-FB-P&utmmmedium=Social-Distribution&utmcampaign=TG-FB-P&fbclid=IwAR3K6eIBmtFCctkIr7mNgAX0ulKMjhGW02zOBjQOmdcgztwfymI0jipd21g

This one's been doing the rounds for a few years now, along with a few other conspiracy theories, I believe. Personally, I find it extremely odd that a series of books can sell millions of copies, break world records and no one noticed it until a group of people suddenly took offence against the author for saying something else entirely and needed ammunition against her. Funny that.

@MidsomerMurmurs

Only follow this up if you really want to know, but “Gamergate” was an early precursor of what has now shifted to TRA activism. (Spoiler: it’s not actually about gaming, or vulnerable teenage girls with body dismorphia; it’s really always been about massive misogyny).

Gamergate was about pushing back against misogyny in gaming. If the some of the same people who were anti-misogyny are also pro-trans, it only reflects the fact that most people who support women's rights also support trans rights.

Those articles were painful to read. Was at risk of my eyes being stuck in the back of my head from the extreme eyerolls.

Anyway, I, for one, am so excited about this game. Hoping DP caves and gets a PS5 soon so I can get the game. It's gonna be fucking awesome