With Harry Potter being one of the most well-known series of novels which is why it is getting a new video game adaptation. The game, known as “Hogwarts Legacy,” is being developed by Warner Bros. Publishing and Avalanche Software and is expected to be released Friday. The game will be released for PS4 , PS5 , Xbox Series, the Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC platforms. Set in Hogwarts in the 1890s, the game’s main character holds a secret that can uproot the entire Wizarding World.

Even though this is one of the most anticipated games of the year, it has faced scrutiny particularly because of recent comments by J.K. Rowling, the author of the “Harry Potter” series.

“I think Rowling’s transphobic tweets are hilarious due to her lack of good reasoning,” freshman Elena Konicki said. “I remember seeing one tweet asking what do you call a person who has a period?, trying to make people think that trans-women are not real women, but shedidn’t think about women who hit menopause, afab non-binary people or trans men. She’s making a fool of herself.” 

This is one of the main concerns with the game and the reason for why some will boycott “Hogwarts Legacy.” 

 “I don’t believe that purchasing “Hogwarts Legacy” would be considered transphobic or hateful,” sophomore Mason Bussel said. “They are paying for something they enjoy and are not directly contributing to any anti-LGBT efforts besides J.K Rowling.”

Freshman Parker Wales preordered the game.

“I like Harry Potter,” Wales said. “It is an interesting world of magic. Obviously [Rowling’s] comments are pretty awful. She shouldn’t be saying those things, but there isn’t much to do about it. She is going to speak her opinion and there is nothing we can do about it. I’m paying for Harry Potter not transphobia. Every author has their issues and JK Rowling is no different from them. I want to immerse myself in Harry Potter not Twitter drama.” 

By Aashish Adireddy