Ever since Sony announced Hogwarts Legacy at a PlayStation 5 event in late 2020, Harry Potter fans have been eager to know whether J.K. Rowling will make money off of Hogwarts Legacy. Since Harry Potter’s success, J.K. Rowling’s name has instead become synonymous with her transphobic beliefs, with some fans deciding to no longer support Rowling and her work. Warner Bros. has attempted to create distance between Hogwarts Legacy and J. K. Rowling, repeatedly stating that she’s not directly involved. However, Rowling will inevitably earn royalties from the game, and continue to profit greatly from the success of the Wizarding World brand, leaving Harry Potter fans feeling torn.

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Hogwarts Legacy is an upcoming RPG developed by Avalanche Software and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Hogwarts Legacy was planned for release in 2021, before being delayed until late 2022. The upcoming game inspired by the Harry Potter series will be available on PC, as well as Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch consoles. Set in the 1800s, the open-world game precedes the timeline of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books, as well as the Fantastic Beasts film series which she also penned.

Since Hogwarts Legacy’s initial announcement, many have questioned J. K. Rowling’s involvement, as well as her remuneration for the upcoming game. While some argue that boycotting Harry Potter will have little impact on Rowling’s financial status, others argue that continuing to support her brand helps maintain her platform and influence. While J. K. Rowling’s fortune shows no sign of dwindling, her reputation is no longer what it once was. During the height of COVID lockdowns, book sales soared. Despite this, J. K. Rowling’s book sales lagged during the same period, an apparent response to the author’s anti-trans tweets.

Hogwarts Legacy Tries To Distance Itself From J. K. Rowling

The Hogwarts Legacy website advises that J. K. Rowling isn’t directly involved, although “her team” are. However, as with all Harry Potter IPs, Rowling will undoubtedly earn royalties. Unsurprisingly, this isn’t the first time a Wizarding World production has attempted to distance itself from Harry Potter’s creator due to her controversial statements. HBO Max’s Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts special used several-year-old footage of J. K. Rowling instead of new interviews, with Rowling not in attendance. Many of the actors who starred in the Harry Potter movies have publicly denounced Rowling’s controversial anti-trans comments. Daniel Radcliffe apologized to Harry Potter fans for the harm caused by Rowling’s comments while voicing his support for transgender and nonbinary people.

While the conversation around Hogwarts Legacy is complex and nuanced, players should be aware of how J. K. Rowling stands to profit from the game’s release, as well as why Rowling’s anti-trans comments are so harmful. Although J. K. Rowling may not be a politician or lawmaker, her rhetoric has been shared far and wide, with quotes from the author frequently used in support of anti-trans legislation. The anti-trans remarks made by Rowling continue to spread the dangerous and false perception that transgender people inherently pose a threat to women’s rights and safety.

Source: Hogwarts Legacy

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Editor’s Note: Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling has been accused of transphobia by those in the LGBTQ+ community. Although not directly involved in the development of Hogwarts Legacy, Rowling does stand to earn royalties from the game. We would like to reiterate our support for trans rights and that trans identities are valid. Support services are listed below for trans people impacted by discussions of transphobia.

In the USA:

  • Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
  • The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

In Canada:

  • Trans Lifeline: (877) 330-6366
  • Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688

In the UK:

  • Switchboard: 01273 204050
  • Mermaids: 0808 801 0400
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Suki Newell
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Suki Newell is a game features writer for Screen Rant and live streamer on Twitch. She resides in Upstate New York with her husband and two rescue dogs.

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