With the release of the highly anticipated Hogwarts Legacy just days away, the game has made history by introducing the first transgender character to the Wizarding World.
While many have welcomed the inclusion of a trans character in the Warner Bros. game, some have argued the move is to detract from the tweets JK Rowling made in 2020.
At the time, the author retweeted an opinion piece and criticised the use of the inclusive term ‘people who menstruate’.
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Since then, the Harry Potter creator has faced intense backlash and her popularity in recent years has dwindled - despite her iconic book series.
Though the internet has been divided by the move to include a transgender character, with some calling it ‘performative’ representation, others have praised the franchise for being more inclusive.
Sirona Ryan will appear as a NPC at the owner of the Three Broomsticks pub, with fans being able to interact with the character as they visit Hogsmead Village.
One fan even tweeted that they were excited to play the game and meet the NPC, who will reportedly discuss their gender identity in the game.
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They wrote on Twitter: “Scrolling through Tiktok and saw that we have an actual Trans/ Nonbinary character as a bartender in #HogwartsLegacy! Couldn't really tell if they were Trans or Nonbinary as the clip didn't include any pronouns.
"For right now I'm just looking for to meeting them. This is Amazing!”
In a lengthy thread, they continued: “Let's not forget that you can make a Trans or Nonbinary character in #HogwartsLegacy. As a woman of Trans experience I'm looking forward to this game. #TransRightsAreHumanRights #TransWomenAreWomen #TransMenAreMen.”
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However, many have called for a boycott of the game with Twitch ambassador Veronica 'Nikatine' Ripley who called the game an ‘offensive product’.
She then begged others to take a ‘stance against bigotry, hatred and those who support such viewers’.
Others shared similar views, with one user criticising how little time the trans character had in Hogwarts Legacy.
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“An old acquaintance did some work on that Hogwarts game. Didn't have much juicy to say, other than the game is mediocre and its RPG/customization elements are vastly oversold,” they wrote, adding: “I'm told they added a token trans NPC to pivot the conversation away from JKR. They're barely in it.”
Despite the controversy, the ongoing success of the Harry Potter franchise does not seem to slowing down, with Hogwarts Legacy being the one of over 20 games based on the beloved book series.
Hogwarts Legacy is set to be released on 10 February.
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Warner Brothers Games has been contacted for comment.
Topics: Gaming, Film and TV, Harry Potter, JK Rowling, LGBTQ
Katherine Sidnell