Hogwarts Legacy boycotters say buying the game is ‘an ugly look’

We’re fast approaching the release of Hogwarts Legacy. On 10 February, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC owners will all finally be able to embark on their own wizarding adventure with other platforms following in the months to come.

Hogwarts Legacy is set to be huge in scale. If you want to see all the game has to offer, it could take you upwards of 120 hours which is no surprise when you consider that there are over 100 side quests. While some are eagerly counting down to the game’s release, many fans have chosen to boycott Hogwarts Legacy altogether. In recent years, J. K. Rowling has come under fire for making a number of hurtful transphobic comments. Some who grew up with the franchise now feel alienated from it, and they’re calling on others to join them in boycotting the game.

J. K. Rowling was not involved in the creation of Hogwarts Legacy but as a Wizarding World property, she will still profit from its sales. Trans activists and allies are taking to Twitter to ask users not to buy the game for this very reason, saying that buying it would be ‘an ugly look.’ As reported by UNILAD, one user wrote, “Talking about the Hogwarts Legacy boycott - are there more important things in life? Yes. Should you boycott it because it’s a very easy - literally bare minimum - way to show solidarity with trans people? Also yes.”

Another added, “Not getting Hogwarts Legacy cause JK Rowling is a terf (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) is a very valid reason,” while one user noted, “If you play Hogwarts Legacy and you’re openly saying, ‘I’m okay with giving money to a terf for a cheap nostalgia pop,’ it’s an ugly look.” Another user said, “Those of us calling for people to not play Hogwarts Legacy are well aware that the game will sell well. We know we don’t have the power to hurt the game. It’s about personal integrity and making it clear that we will notice those valuing playing a game over trans solidarity.”

In previous weeks, users also took to Steam to protest against the game’s release using the tagging system. It awaits to be seen how the boycotts will truly impact the title’s upcoming release.