A Transgender Character Is Included in the Hogwarts Legacy Game
Players of Hogwarts Legacy can encounter a transgender character by the name of Sirona Ryan at the Three Broomsticks. Recently, J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, has been criticized for her transphobic comments that she has been broadcasting on her Twitter account. These comments have brought up some concerns regarding the upcoming Hogwarts Legacy video game, as this has caused a certain degree of distaste for the Harry Potter franchise as a whole.
In the aftermath of Rowling’s remarks, the creators of Hogwarts Legacy asserted that the author was not involved in the game’s production. Nevertheless, some supporters have called for a boycott of the game, asserting that purchasing it means backing Rowling’s transphobic opinions. Despite this, the game’s developers are endeavoring to separate themselves from Rowling’s transphobic views and have added a transgender character to the game.
In Hogwarts Legacy, players have the opportunity to explore the nearby village of Hogsmeade. A landmark in the area is the Three Broomsticks, a pub that fans of the Harry Potter franchise will recognize. Upon arriving at the Three Broomsticks in the game, gamers will meet the owner Sirona Ryan, who is transgender.
It is important to be aware that the video below may have minute spoilers. However, the material in this article does not divulge any plot details.
Ryan is only slightly involved in a couple of the Hogwarts Legacy quests, but her role in the game is limited to being the owner of the Three Broomsticks. When talking to her, gamers can get to know more about her past. Without giving away spoilers, Ryan can be asked about why she chooses to trust a certain other character in the game. She had known him before she transitioned and it had been a long time since they had last seen each other, however, when they met again, he recognized her without hesitation. “Which is more than I can say for some of my own classmates. It took them a minute to realize that I was a witch, not a wizard,” Ryan states.
Reactions to the announcement that Hogwarts Legacy would include a transgender character have been varied. Some have applauded Avalanche for this move, seeing it as an act of rebellion against J.K. Rowling’s transphobic views. On the other hand, some have charged the studio of including a “token transgender character” in order to deflect some of the criticism it has been receiving.
Though she isn’t the first trans character in video games, Sirona Ryan likely will become one of the most recognizable names when it’s all said and done. It’s still unknown how the Harry Potter community will respond to her inclusion in the upcoming Hogwarts Legacy, which is set to have an early access period beginning on February 7. No matter the reason why she was added, it’s a noteworthy development.
Hogwarts Legacy will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X on February 10, with the PS4 and Xbox One versions launching on April 4 and the Nintendo Switch version coming out on July 25.