PCG Article Nearly 500,000 people are playing Hogwarts Legacy on Steam before it's truly out

[Slasken]

While, I don't agree with Rowling opinions, I think she's entitled to them.

I won't be picking up the game anytime soon, but might if it is on sale, and the game can stand on it's own without being an HP game.

 

[ipman]

Personally I disagree with these latest attempts to 'politicise' everything, including culture and sport. They even do it retrospectively to authors from the past who lived in a different type of world, sensibility wise.

Jeez give us a break.(to those who attempt to do that).

I think to Harry Potter fans it will be a high rated game, and if it does for gaming what her books did for children's literature, then it's a win.

It was surprising how many adults praised it, not sure if that was after reading it to their children, or maybe they needed a bit of escapism themselves.

 

[Zloth]

At this point - and I'm speculating here so take this with a grain of salt - I'm assuming PC Gamer and Gamespot are doing a quiet boycott by not having an official review out by the release date. I heard rumors that review codes came late but it definitely feels like there's some purpose behind the delay.

Nope. Takes a long time to do lots of side quests.

 

[WoodenSaucer]

I can imagine that the game is actually a 1 for this particular reviewer.

If the rating is actually what they thought of the game, itself, then I don't have any problem with that. They have the right to think the game sucks.

It was surprising how many adults praised it, not sure if that was after reading it to their children, or maybe they needed a bit of escapism themselves.

I never got into it, myself, but there are a lot of adults who are into HP for themselves, not just for their kids. I think it's probably a geek thing.

 

[ipman]

I never got into it, myself, but there are a lot of adults who are into HP for themselves, not just for their kids. I think it's probably a geek thing.

I read Dr Seuss's books to my son.
He read HP himself and then declared he wanted a pet owl. Five seconds of reasoning later he forgot about that.

 

[Brian Boru]

surprising how many adults praised it

I was at a midnight Barnes & Noble—biggest USA offline bookseller—event for the release of one of the earlier books. There were as many adults there alone as adults with kids, and almost all we chatted with while waiting were there for themselves, not their kids.

While the editing in the books gets progressively worse in the later books, and the writing quality is nothing special, the world she created is just phenomenal and the way she captured the magical nature of the adventures is… well, magical.

The world building is on par with Tolkien or Asimov or Herbert, or whoever builds in your fav genre.

 

[Ryzengang]

What is boils down to for me is that people who are invested in making change in world should be focused on the efficacy of their actions, not about adherence to a moral code or ideology. Buying or not buying Hogwarts Legacy has exactly zero material impact on the issues related to JK Rowling. There is nothing wrong with adhering to a moral code and choosing not to buy a product, of course, but calling for other people to do so when it has no real impact simply doesn't make sense. Further, it weakens your overall position and it will be equated to little more than grandstanding. If you don't have a sufficiently strong point to make, it often just strengthens opposing views rather than weakens them. Buying or not buying a video game isn't the hill to die on if you are invested in making changes on issues related to JK Rowling's views.

 

[ipman]

I know it's not really relevant but J. K Rowling also writes under the name Robert Galbraith

I think we are all aware of how the media and social media in particular exaggerates, misinterprets and polarises people.

J. K. Rowling herself explained her views in June 2020.

'I’ve met trans people, and read sundry books, blogs and articles by trans people, gender specialists, intersex people, psychologists, safeguarding experts, social workers and doctors, and followed the discourse online and in traditional media'

It's obviously a complex issue and she explains that it really became toxic and she started being cancelled after tweeting her support for someone who lost their job over a tweet.

J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues - J.K. Rowling

Warning: The below content is not appropriate for children. Please check with an adult before you read this page. To go back to the children’s page, please click here. This isn’t an easy piece to write, for reasons that will shortly become clear, but I know it’s time to explain myself on an...

www.jkrowling.com

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

I know it's not really relevant but J. K Rowling also writes under the name Robert Galbraith

I think we are all aware of how the media and social media in particular exaggerates, misinterprets and polarises people.

J. K. Rowling herself explained her views in June 2020.

'I’ve met trans people, and read sundry books, blogs and articles by trans people, gender specialists, intersex people, psychologists, safeguarding experts, social workers and doctors, and followed the discourse online and in traditional media'

It's obviously a complex issue and she explains that it really became toxic and she started being cancelled after tweeting her support for someone who lost their job over a tweet.

J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues - J.K. Rowling

Warning: The below content is not appropriate for children. Please check with an adult before you read this page. To go back to the children’s page, please click here. This isn’t an easy piece to write, for reasons that will shortly become clear, but I know it’s time to explain myself on an...

www.jkrowling.com

Oh boy.

Daniel Radcliffe posted a statement in response to JK's essay. Theres lots more out there, a lot of which is understandably more emotionally charged as it comes from people directly affected.

Daniel Radcliffe Responds to J.K. Rowling’s Tweets on Gender Identity | The Trevor Project

"As someone who has been honored to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment," said Radcliffe.

www.thetrevorproject.org

There may be better articles on the subject, but I really don't have the background information to get into this as I don't have a personal stake or any deep knowledge on it. If I speak further I'm at the risk of perpetuating more ignorance because its not something I have researched deeply or have any direct experience of. I just feel someone should point out there is more than one side to this story.

 

[ipman]

Oh boy.

Daniel Radcliffe posted a statement in response to JK's essay. Theres lots more out there, a lot of which is understandably more emotionally charged as it comes from people directly affected.

Daniel Radcliffe Responds to J.K. Rowling’s Tweets on Gender Identity | The Trevor Project

"As someone who has been honored to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment," said Radcliffe.

www.thetrevorproject.org

There may be better articles on the subject, but I really don't have the background information to get into this as I don't have a personal stake or any deep knowledge on it. If I speak further I'm at the risk of perpetuating more ignorance because its not something I have researched deeply or have any direct experience of. I just feel someone should point out there is more than one side to this story.

Oh I'm sure there are multiple perspectives. I just thought in the social media world we now seem to inhabit, it was important to hear from the author herself.

But isn't the real problem here, sites like Twitter.

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

But isn't the real problem here, sites like Twitter.

Not by my estimation having read a few articles including a rebuttal of JK's essay. She seems to be willfully ignorant of facts that don't support her views. Also has a tendency to distort the truth.

Theres a full rebuttal of her essay here as linked in the PCG article about all this, but as I say I'm no expert and I have no interest in going fully into the subject myself.

Of course finding her views distasteful doesn't excuse hate campaigns or any kind of threats against her. And certainly not against people who are just out to play/stream a video game loosely based on her work. That part's the Twitter.

 

[ipman]

Not by my estimation having read a few articles including a rebuttal of JK's essay. She seems to be willfully ignorant of facts that don't support her views. Also has a tendency to distort the truth.

Theres a full rebuttal of her essay here as linked in the PCG article about all this, but as I say I'm no expert and I have no interest in going fully into the subject myself.

Of course finding her views distasteful doesn't excuse hate campaigns or any kind of threats against her. And certainly not against people who are just out to play/stream a video game loosely based on her work. That part's the Twitter.

I suppose what I mean is we all have nuanced opinions based on all sorts of factors, but before Twitter we generally kept them to ourselves.

 

[DXCHASE]

So, the games been out a few days and i already had to do the Boomer thing and mute a pc gaming group on FB for 30 days because my feed was literally Harry Potter or the usual "hey look i bought 3 4090s give me attention and likes!" posts, but i can stomach those. It wasnt just that they were Harry Potter posts, but then a bunch of transphobic stuff gets slung around the comments and "theyre bullies, so im gonna be a bully!" attitudes, it just was enough. I was missing posts i actually wanted to see too. I can deal with it but my feed now has next to no harry potter stuff that i cant stand. I dont mind seeing benchmarks or someone asking a question, but those were few and far between.

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

I suppose what I mean is we all have nuanced opinions based on all sorts of factors, but before Twitter we generally kept them to ourselves.

Social media in general shows everyones ugly side more. But in a way its good to get these things out there so that people can hear for themselves based on both sides of the debate and, just maybe, have a chance to question their own inherent prejudices. Or at least become more aware that they exist in the process.

Getting back in my box now. Giving myself a gentle warning to stay within remit of forum.

 

[SleepingDog]

The problem we have in society is that we all tend to have a "worm-eye" view of possible changes. We see only the benefits to ourselves and, usually, disregard the costs to others. The "not my problem" mentality. This leads to conflict as groups scream at each other that they are not being listen to. Each group believes that making their changes will result in the human race being allowed back into the Garden of Eden while casting the evil ones (opposing parties) out.

On the trans issue it appears that matters are more complicated with the Scottish and UK Parliament can not agree on some "simple(?)" laws.

To be clear - read the HP books, saw the films and a bigger fan of the Strike novels and TV series. Not going to bother with the game though I hope the gamers get a good experience. Don't really care what JKR thinks as long as she stays with in the law - so not endorsing violence, concentration camps and so on.

PS I did wonder what happen to the trolls.

 

[ipman]

Social media in general shows everyones ugly side more. But in a way its good to get these things out there so that people can hear for themselves based on both sides of the debate and, just maybe, have a chance to question their own inherent prejudices. Or at least become more aware that they exist in the process.

Getting back in my box now. Giving myself a gentle warning to stay within remit of forum.

I'm not so sure. I think most of us are pretty ignorant about the lives of others, and that's totally understandable.
At least I suppose J.K. Rowling did speak to people on all sides of the debate and did extensive research as most authors do.
I often notice intelligent people being labelled and cancelled just because they had the temerity to express support for someone, or take a more nuanced approach.
I wonder if sites like Twitter promote a sort of virtual mob rule.

I doubt most Harry Potter fans give two hoots

 

[Alm]

From my perspective, I can understand the reaction from the trans community, many of them have suicidal thoughts and majorly repressed emotions at the circumstances of their lives and the way society views them.

From the other side, what JK Rowling has said would be mildly offensive and easy to brush off for people who aren't trans and don't suffer these affects. So, naturally, many people wouldn't understand or care.

I think this subject is just a learning hurdle for humanity, and as many don't understand and aren't willing to understand the other side it will be painful.

 

[ipman]

The problem we have in society is that we all tend to have a "worm-eye" view of possible changes. We see only the benefits to ourselves and, usually, disregard the costs to others. The "not my problem" mentality. This leads to conflict as groups scream at each other that they are not being listen to. Each group believes that making their changes will result in the human race being allowed back into the Garden of Eden while casting the evil ones (opposing parties) out.

On the trans issue it appears that matters are more complicated with the Scottish and UK Parliament can not agree on some "simple(?)" laws.

To be clear - read the HP books, saw the films and a bigger fan of the Strike novels and TV series. Not going to bother with the game though I hope the gamers get a good experience. Don't really care what JKR thinks as long as she stays with in the law - so not endorsing violence, concentration camps and so on.

PS I did wonder what happen to the trolls.

I suppose I'm quite sensitive to the idea of authors/artists and works of culture being 'cancelled' and burnt(as someone did with HP) as it reminds me of a certain time in history.

 

[ipman]

From my perspective, I can understand the reaction from the trans community, many of them have suicidal thoughts and majorly repressed emotions at the circumstances of their lives and the way society views them.

From the other side, what JK Rowling has said would be mildly offensive and easy to brush off for people who aren't trans and don't suffer these affects. So, naturally, many people wouldn't understand or care.

I think this subject is just a learning hurdle for humanity, and as many don't understand and aren't willing to understand the other side it will be painful.

There's so much worse stuff going on in the world, and humans being affected by others.
It's strange how some people focus in on what woud have just once been dismissed as someone else's opinion. And only that.

 

[McStabStab]

Nope. Takes a long time to do lots of side quests.

PCG ended up publishing their review, so you were correct in that regard. Still keeping an eye on GameStop for their review...

 

[SleepingDog]

From the other side, what JK Rowling has said would be mildly offensive and easy to brush off for people who aren't trans and don't suffer these affects. So, naturally, many people wouldn't understand or care.

I think this subject is just a learning hurdle for humanity, and as many don't understand and aren't willing to understand the other side it will be painful.

It's tempting to take offense about the "many don't understand or care" but then I would be guilty of taking the worm-eye view. Making changes and/ or solving problems always costs in terms of time (laws don't change overnight), money, training and the cost of what else does not get done. The latter matters because there is no magic wand that solves all our problems - we can only solve a few at a time. Which means that we come down to a cost benefit analysis usually in the form of white papers etc. So decisions on importance need to be made and our political system feels like it is still in the children's playground - shout your opponent down.

 

[Alm]

I don't think there is a solution that will fit either side's current wants. I think both sides will have to compromise in some way. But again, I'm using language that greatly simplifies the situation.

Edit: I think my way of communicating is very reductive, I agree that laws etc will complicate and delay matters. Maybe I'll read more and say less on it. I'm not trans or anti-trans and I don't know a lot, just giving my opinion.

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

From my perspective, I can understand the reaction from the trans community, many of them have suicidal thoughts and majorly repressed emotions at the circumstances of their lives and the way society views them.

This is the centre of the issue for me.

I'm not so sure. I think most of us are pretty ignorant about the lives of others, and that's totally understandable.
At least I suppose J.K. Rowling did speak to people on all sides of the debate and did extensive research as most authors do.
I often notice intelligent people being labelled and cancelled just because they had the temerity to express support for someone, or take a more nuanced approach.
I wonder if sites like Twitter promote a sort of virtual mob rule.

I doubt most Harry Potter fans give two hoots

It does seem her research was quite one sided and against the generally held scientific views, from what I've read.

I've lost friends to mental health issues over the years, and I do not wish those kind of feelings on anyone if it can be avoided or helped. Perhaps that explains some of my bias in this.

 

[ipman]

It's actually my premise that culture changes the way people think and belatedly laws are passed to protect people. A good example is Spike Lee who was awarded the BFI Fellowship today.

He has always challenged and confronted the generalised stereotypes.

And there have been many; films, tv series, books, poems, documentaries, art works, etc, that help us see other people's perspectives.

Once enough people open their minds through this sort of cultural and social shift then acceptance usually follows quite quickly, and laws to protect are inevitable.

 

[Brian Boru]

Giving myself a gentle warning to stay within remit of forum

Ah darn it, I wanted to do that!

I can understand the reaction from the trans community, many of them have suicidal thoughts and majorly repressed emotions at the circumstances of their lives and the way society views them.

Agree with Kaamos, that is the core of the matter.

There are toxic groups who delight in finding smaller minorities they can demonize—no surprise I suppose, since many leaders around the world encourage such behavior.

But that's all human nature. Roll on Humans 2.0, or our AI Overlords!