• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
People are threatening to boycott the new Harry Potter game when it releases next year

Home> News

Published 20:57 31 Aug 2022 GMT+1

People are threatening to boycott the new Harry Potter game when it releases next year

Gamers are threatening to boycott the new Harry Potter game Hogwarts Legacy over an 'antisemitism' row.

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

Gamers are threatening to boycott next year's long-awaited Harry Potter game Hogwarts Legacy in an 'antisemitism' row over a plotline in the game.

The 'Goblin Rebellion' plot will allow players to take control and battle an 'oppressed race who are fighting against their own slavery'.

The PlayStation description for the game says gamers will be able to 'decide the fate' of the magical universe and will often be tasked with difficult choices that will 'determine what they stand for'.

Advert

Hogwarts Legacy will also feature a 'possible mounting goblin rebellion', with critics saying gamers would battle in-game an 'oppressed race who are pushing back against their own... slavery'.

Some critics have even questioned the presence of goblins in the game and claim they are based on antisemitic stereotypes.


Advert

One reviewer's thoughts on the new Harry Potter game have gone viral for his thoughts on antisemitic stereotypes, which he believes are present.

Critic Kevin Rhodes said on Reddit: "The goblins of the Harry Potter series have long been criticised as offensive Jewish stereotypes. 

"With critics pointing out their control of the magical banking system, their greed, and their exaggerated facial features. 

"This game where the player fights against greedy, child-abducting Jewish stereotypes."

Advert

Rhodes has urged gamers not to buy Hogwarts Legacy and called Harry Potter author JK Rowling a 'committed transphobe'.

He continued: "I beg you, please, don't buy this game. Walk away from both Rowling and the Wizarding World. Don't give Warner Brothers any more money."

Gamers have reacted to this critic in a number of ways, with one telling consumers not to buy the game amassing more than 82,000 likes.

One gamer commented on Rhodes' post saying: "Admittedly, you can choose to be a dark wizard in the game and side with the goblins. But still. It's not exactly lauded as the right option."

Advert

Another comment on Twitter read: "I know that not buying Hogwarts Legacy isn't going to stop antisemitism and transphobia. But you won't inconvenience yourself by not buying it."

Hogwarts Legacy is due to release on PlayStation, Xbox and PC on 10 February 2023, while a Nintendo Switch version is coming at a later date.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling is not involved with the development of the game.
Stills Press / Alamy Stock Photo

The newest Harry Potter game is set in the late 1800s and allows players to explore Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forest from the books.

Advert

A note on the game's official website says author JK Rowling is not involved with the game but does state 'her extraordinary body of writing is the foundation of all projects in the Wizarding World'.

If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected] 

Featured Image Credit: Credit: Portkey Games / Hogwarts Legacy

Topics: Harry Potter, JK Rowling, Gaming

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
6 hours ago
  • 5 hours ago

    TSA issues warning as it bans passengers from taking nine bizarre items on planes

    If you're vacationing soon, you might want to double check that you don't have any of these items in your luggage

    News
  • 6 hours ago

    Apple TV's 'excellent' new film was shot entirely on iPhone and is available to stream for free online

    British musician Stormzy stars in the new Apple TV short film

    Film & TV
  • 6 hours ago

    Pentagon shares details behind 'highly classified' strike on Iran and how stealth bombers traveled ‘without the world knowing’

    Operation Midnight Hammer included more than 125 aircraft, units from the Navy, and so-called 'bunker buster' bombs

    News
  • 6 hours ago

    People are divided after dentist reveals the proper way to brush your teeth

    Dr Victoria Sampson told Steven Bartlett all about oral hygiene on The Diary of a CEO podcast

    News
  • Everything Harry Potter stars have said about JK Rowling as notable character breaks silence on controversy
  • Harry Potter actor finally breaks silence on JK Rowling controversy amid her public feud with co-stars
  • HBO launches open casting call to find next Harry Potter, Hermione and Ron for new TV series
  • Harry Potter fans are pointing out major issue after seeing who HBO has cast as the Dursleys in new series