The long anticipated game “Hogwarts Legacy” was released two weeks ago and it received mixed reviews from the fans. Some people love the game and some don’t. A lot of people are refusing to buy the game because of J.K. Rowling’s views and beliefs on transgender people. 

Rowling is known to have anti-trans views and there is plenty of evidence to support this. This fact has turned so many people away from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises. With the recent launch of a new video game based within the Harry Potter universe, controversy was bound to resurface. 

“Hogwarts Legacy” was looked forward to by many, including myself. The game offers an open-world, story driven experience with plenty of activities to do. Despite this, many refused to purchase the game as a portion of the money would go back to Rowling through royalties. 

I can understand not wanting to support someone with transphobic views, but I cannot understand the harassment of popular content creators playing the game. I’ve seen it myself throughout multiple streaming platforms.

It has happened non-stop since the game launched and some creators have been brought to tears over the harassment received in their live chat. Everytime you tune in to watch someone play the game while live, the chat is calling the creator a “transphobe” among other names. The issue has gotten so bad that people are being “doxxed” and having their personal information leaked on the internet just because they played the game. 

It is understandable that you would not want to support a game that is paying a person whose viewpoints don’t align with yours, but it is simply unacceptable to harass and leak the personal information of those who did buy the game under any circumstance.

Most people who purchased the game had no idea of the controversy surrounding Rowling. When I bought the game the only thought that had crossed my mind was that I was finally going to be a wizard. I only learned of the controversy after playing for several hours and having a great time. 

I don’t support transphobic behavior of any kind, but I also don’t support battling it with negativity. It only makes you look bad as a person. I live by the saying that you should treat others how you want to be treated. 

The world is a negative place and we are constantly being surrounded by negativity throughout our everyday lives. Video games offer an escape from that reality and an opportunity to lose yourself within the game. Buying a video game doesn’t reflect that person’s character and it doesn’t warrant that person being called a transphobe. 

If you feel strongly about a certain topic, then you should act accordingly. Protest Rowling however you see fit, but don’t spread negativity to others and fight hate with even more hate.