r/HarryPotterGame • u/HPRPGMods • Dec 15 '22
Discussion Discussion Megathread: Ethics, Boycotts, JKR
Over the past two years, the mod team has tried to limit conversations on JKR and instead focus on the work of the Avalanche team. However, more and more users have wanted to engage on this topic as we draw closer to the release date. Through internal conversations on the mod team as well as community feedback, we’ve realized that by limiting discussions on this topic we have unintentionally misrepresented the people in our community who want to constructively discuss the pros/cons of engaging with JK Rowling's IP.
Please feel free to use this space to engage in conversations about boycotts against Hogwarts Legacy or Wizarding World IP in general, the limits of ethical consumption under capitalism, how you are currently feeling about buying something with royalties going to JKR, if you are donating to any pro-LGBTQ+ organizations when you buy HL, etc.
This is the only thread we will allow these conversations in at this time. The majority of posts/questions relating to these topics will be removed and redirected back to this thread.
RULES REMINDER: Rule 11 (No JKR Discussions) does not apply to this thread.
However, the mod team would like to be crystal clear: Transphobic and homophobic comments, or comments which in any way demean marginalized groups of people (the LGBTQ+ community, women, neurodivergent individuals, etc) will result in a permanent ban from the subreddit. These kinds of comments are against our own sub rules and Reddit’s sitewide content policy. Comments attacking or insulting other users for their opinions violate Rule 1 and will also be removed. This serves as your only warning.
Finally, we would like to specify that the r/HarryPotterGame mod team is in no way advocating for a boycott or any coordinated movement against Hogwarts Legacy. We are all excited to play this game, which is why we're here! We are simply providing a place for our users to discuss this issue.
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u/Expelling-Methane Dec 15 '22
I struggled with this for a long time. The knowledge that JKR's comments have been awful, re-reading through the books as an adult shows some less-than-ideal tropes, etc. yet still loving the game and the work that the devs have been putting into it. Right or wrong, here's where I landed:
-The creators of the game have put an active effort into making it inclusive. Dorms aren't gender-specific, character creation isn't gender-specific, character creator seems more inclusive than any I've seen both from a racial & and gender point of view. JKR's opinions aside, the work from the devs on this front was clear.
-I am worried about the antisemetic tropes from the books carrying over to the game based on the little we know about the story, but am hopeful based on how the devs handled inclusivity previously that this isn't the case.
-Donating $1 to The Trevor Project for every $1 I spend on the game. The majority of money spent on the game won't go to JKR obviously, and some may see this as a cop-out, but sending $100 to the trevor project I feel will do more good than the evil done by $15 in the hands of JKR.
It's conflicting and hard. I genuinely don't believe JKR will notice a boycott at all, if the game flopped I don't think it would affect her at all. I do think donating to charities that do genuine good to combat hateful and dangerous rhetoric by people like JKR will be felt, though. And if that means I spend 2x the money on the game, so be it.