Juline Garnier 1:51 p.m., February 08, 2023, modified at 1:56 p.m., February 08, 2023

Harry Potter fans are calling for a boycott of the new game around the universe of the saga.

In question: the comments deemed transphobic by the author, JK Rowling, which taint the success of the world of wizards, created 25 years ago.

The Gamekult editorial staff, specializing in video games, has for its part announced that it has refused to test the game. A justified boycott?

We take stock.

DECRYPTION

It was one of the most anticipated video games of the year, but its release this week is likely to be marred by a series of boycotts.

Hogwarts Legacy is an immersive video game in the world of the Harry Potter saga, created by author JK Rowling more than 25 years ago, and at the origin of a series of films that have become cult films for an entire generation.

But certain comments by JK Rowling, which date back to 2020, could be the cause of a massive boycott of the game. In a series of tweets, she had joked around an article: "'People who have their period'. "I'm sure we had a word for these people before. Someone help me out. Fammes? Fommes? Fimmes?"

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The Gamekult editorial team will not test the game

Later, she justified herself awkwardly, but too late for some fans because it was not the first time.

So on Twitter, the debate is raging: should we boycott the game in the name of his remarks deemed transphobic?

The debate also agitates the editorial staff specializing in video games, which publish tests with each release of expected games.

In a tweet, the editorial staff of Gamekult also announced that they were boycotting the game.

"We refuse to give an echo to a brand whose economic and media weight benefits a woman set up as the figurehead of a movement of hatred. A woman whose activism aims to roll back the rights of trans people who are already constantly dehumanized" , she said.

Considered a free electron in the world of video games, the editorial staff of Gamekult has often had committed positions on issues surrounding games in the past.

Well, since I am a person concerned I will try to make a statement without animosity of what is happening around Hogwart Legacy because all the opinions weigh on me, all https://t.co/6Otwd1vEzp

— Alea greater than you (shame) (@AleaLaBibli) February 8, 2023

A justified boycott?

Difficult to find a happy medium in the controversy because the game does not convey the same image as the author of the universe.

Indeed, the developers have made sure to be as inclusive as possible when creating the player character.

"In the creation tool, there is almost nothing that is gendered. So you can easily take on the appearance of whoever you want. You only choose at the end if you want to be identified as a wizard or as a witch. So yes technically we can play a trans character", confirms Meakaya, journalist for jeuxvideo.com, who carried out the game test for the editorial staff.

In addition JK Rowling is not involved in the creation of the game, according to the developers who spoke: "This is not a new JK Rowling story, but we have worked closely with his team on all aspects of the game to make sure it stays consistent with the magical experiences fans expect."

However, the question remains legitimate, according to Meakaya.

"It's justified in the sense that buying the game will most likely allow JK Rowling to receive bonuses on sales and on the other hand, everyone knows that the game will be a hit and so it's a bit a drop in the ocean. So it's complicated…", confides the journalist.

The release of Hogwarts Legacy to the general public is scheduled for this Friday, February 10, but the game is already number 1 in pre-orders on Amazon and the Steam platform.