A few years ago, the author of Harry Potter, JK Rowling, caused controversy due to her statements considered transphobic and intolerant. As a result, netizens and fans have been trying to boycott any products related to the franchise, including the “Hogwarts Legacy” video game. For the past few months, social media users have been encouraging the community to avoid purchasing the open-world game. In addition, they have organized protests that have generated a lot of interest, including sharing spoilers and harassing streamers who play the title on Twitch.
In the midst of this controversy, a developer who worked on “Hogwarts Legacy” joined the boycott. Parker Hartzler, a technician who claims to be an “ally”, shared through his social networks that he will not buy the video game from Warner Bros. Games and Avalanche Software, despite the fact that his name appears in the credits as a collaborator of motion capture. In a subsequent tweet, Hartzler asserted that transgender people do not deserve to see the likes of JK Rowling grow and prosper. He said that he wants a future where people are not discriminated against because of their gender, sexuality or other parts of their identity.
It is important to mention that Hartzler worked as an external collaborator through a subcontracted companyhence did not receive a free copy of the game. Unsurprisingly, this sparked an intense debate on social media, with many netizens criticizing Hartzler for being hypocritical and working on the game in the first place. The technician responded justifying his decision, assuring that people who criticize him cannot talk about his financial situation and that if he had not worked, he would soon have been fired and would lose his home.
This situation has generated divided opinions, with some defending the worker for putting his ethics aside to secure his job and livelihood, while others consider his excuse weak and his statements disrespectful towards his colleagues who also worked at “Hogwarts.” Legacy”. The video game is now available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S and PC consoles.
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