The Paradox of 'Supporting' Hogwarts Legacy
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- Ceci n'est pas support.
For clarity - I’m not necessarily saying playing Wizard Game makes you a bad person - but it’s a choice has consequences. If you’re making that choice, be mature enough to accept that - you can’t have it both ways.
A portion of this video's earnings will be donated to trans charities. Consider donating yourself - here are some links:
The National Centre for Transgender Equality - a US based trans charity: transequality.org/
Mermaids is a UK charity supporting the trans community - mermaidsuk.org.uk/donate/
Other discussions on the bigger issues here:
Brigitte Empire on Hogwarts Legacy and antisemitism - • Antisemitism in Hogwar...
Jon Stewart on Harry Potter's Goblins - • The Problem With Gobli...
Jessie Gender on the ethics of streaming Wizard Game - • Hogwarts Legacy Is Som...
and Jessie Gender on Legacy + Rowling more widely - • Explaining JK Rowling’...
Wisecrack on the politics of Harry Potter - • Hogwarts Legacy and th...
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Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:55 Support, hypocrisy, and cognitive dissonance
5:16 Empty defences
8:05 Support is support
Hogwarts Legacy is a 2023 action role-playing game developed by Avalanche Software and published by Warner Bros. Games under its Portkey Games label. The game is set in the Wizarding World universe, based on the Harry Potter novels, and was released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S in 2023. The game's racially insensitive depiction of goblins and J.K. Rowling's transphobia have led many to criticise Hogwarts Legacy and those choosing to play it. - Zábava
Hey everyone. In lieu of my typical pinned comment promoting my Patreon page, I’d like to ask anyone who’s financially comfortable to consider donating to charity here instead. I’ll personally be donating a portion of this video’s earnings to support the trans community. I’ve integrated a fundraiser for this video, which goes toward supporting the National Centre for Transgender Equality - supporting trans folks in the US. For my part, given the tragic news that’s come out since this video’s recording about the murder of Brianna Ghey, I’ll be donating to Mermaids instead - a UK-focused charity, because *dear god* is the UK’s transphobia spiralling these days. If you want to join me, here’s a link: mermaidsuk.org.uk/donate/
edit: I'd also like to just note that I'm not trying to ignore the blatant anti-Semitism around this game in releasing this video - it's just that writing this was a fairly spur-of-the-moment decision I made after seeing some really dumb comments of 'support' from Legacy-buyers. By comparison, were I to make a video looking into the... Goblin stuff, that'd require a lot more time-intensive research to get right, as well as a solid knowledge of *what actually happens* in the game - which is pretty tricky at this moment. Other voices are tackling this side of things, though, and I've linked some in the description (including this pretty comprehensive essay from a smaller creator, Brigitte Empire czcams.com/video/TqBTmcRtLC0/video.html). This isn't to say I'm *against* trying to make a video like this, if people wanted me to + if people felt my voice was an appropriate - just that for a few reasons I can't really do so at *this* moment.
Double edit: also, should go without saying, but to be clear, I’ll be deleting hate + trolling in the comments. Don’t be pricks.
love your videos but I disagree (and agreed at the same time) with you on this. I get why jk Rowling upset you guys.
Here the disagreement points: But there are people who just want to be Wizard exploring Hogwarts all the fun. They are also aware of what happens to trans and they used Trevor projects on stream to support trans. I support all that they used Hogwarts legacy to spread good for trans. And harassment these streamers cause more harm to trans than good. Hell I even see trans people playing Hogwarts legacy as well and they are aware of what jk Rowling said. They also put up Trevor projects and other that support trans as well. So please be aware of that.
As for agreement: to those that buy game to own the lib are asshole. Let all agree to that.
Your channel says "good faith" and "taking pop culture seriously" so stop releasing videos filled with misinformation about a game you've never played. The text of the game simply does not support the assertions you make in this video. For example, there is not any form of blood libel in the game or even anything similar to it.
@@thomascheckie2394 As I understand it, the goblins are after a form of magical power that can be found in the life-essence of non-goblins. Is this not the case?
Hey mate, good video. Wrote a comment below, but it was right before the end of the video where you touched on a point that's a bit of a pet peeve every time I hear discussion about this game.
I am a game developer myself and can't stand when somebody says "don't use the devs as an excuse to buy the game" (which I agree with, BTW) while at the same time using the devs "already being paid" as a reason not to buy it.
To anybody involved in the game industry, it comes off as an uninformed take. Yes, devs technically got paychecks throughout development. But their raises, bonuses, and, most importantly, continued employment depend on game sales. To pretend it doesn't is a bad argument. The volatility of employment in the industry is notorious. Let alone what it means to find another job in the industry. It almost ALWAYS means relocation, pick up your life (AGAIN) and go.
I hope you understand this comes from a place of critique and not disagreement on the video in general. It's up to every person what they do with their money, but you have to live with how people perceive your decisions.
Edit: Yes, this game is selling really well and in this instance I'm sure they'll be fine. But next time there's an issue that arises where a boycott should happen (see my main comment directly on your video), I really hope this justification isn't made.
Also that one dev, out of hundreds, that spoke out about it is completely buried in the outsourcing teams. They were probably involved in it for a few months at best. So not a great example of somebody invested in the outcome of the sales.
@@PillarofGarbage that is not the case. Magic is not found in anyone's "life essence." If you don't want to believe me whatever. I'm just stating facts and only one of us even knows what is in the text of the game anyway. Your decision to stick to this poorly informed opinion without even bothering to do basic fact checking already lost you my sub anyway
As someone who had worked in the video game industry, I absolute hate it when people use us as a defensive shield to their own choice to purchase a game.
No, we do not get a cent from the game's sales, most of us do not even get bonuses if a game does well because these large AAA game production have tens of thousands of outsources underpaid devs working for them in order to make the game happen, none of us see any of the profit or benefit to a game selling well, a lot of outsource artist do not even get their name shown in the credits due to the contracts and the NDA their companies signed.
No, we don't love every game we work on, we usually have very little choice on what project we get, I'd say less than 5% of the devs/artists working in the industry has any choice given or any creative control on their projects.
So yes, the devs had already been paid, they do not care, you're not doing us any favors by using us as meat shields, please stop doing that, if you actually care you'd be advocating for unions in our industry instead of just being reminded of us just so you could justify buying/playing a game
Believe it or not, not every developer is like you. Some people actually have pride in what they make, and enjoy seeing people playing and having fun with something they worked on. I'd wager that the majority of people who worked on "Wizard Game" are proud of what they've made, and would rather see people play it than show solidarity for LGBTQ+ in the most fake and superficial way possible. Though I assume the irony of using the trans rights issues as a shield to vilify the purchase of a video game is entirely lost on you.
@@TheRadioSquare have you worked in the games industry? Did you talk to the developer of this wizard game?
If the answer is no, please stop imagining and projecting your own thoughts onto developers
And I'm not just talking about formal employees of the main developer, I'm also talking about the thousands of uncredited outsource Devs, who don't even get to see their name in the credit list after everything
Believe it or not, developers are not your scapegoat to defend this game that lost relevance after a couple of months, but I guess that's lost on you because you only think of the developers when they're useful to you in an argument
@@TenjoZakito I think you should take your own advice and either keep your mouth shut, or present your opinion as strictly that, your personal opinion.
I've worked with people in the gaming industry from one person indie games to bigger studios, and if you are an actual developer and not just some goober who spent a month learning Unity and then gave up, you know that the industry and people within in are far more diverse than your narrow-minded drivel would lead people to believe.
“Soon, we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy”
-Albus Dumbledore.
The irony is lost on you.
@@connernickerson5509 wdym?
but the easy is just an already rich transphobic person having less than one dollar more. the only thing is it gives her slightly more of a platform, but ppl gonna have opinions anyway
@@1c0nic_player What's your point?
@@lizagarnet7529 its not that big a difference in this case
"Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
This is something that shows up whenever there is any targeted group whether the basis of the targeting is ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, etc. Taking a stand requires taking a stand, and that's something that requires putting oneself out there where they will bear the slings and arrows from those who would hate. It's not comfortable and it takes some sacrifice, even if it's a small one. It's not something that everyone can do and it's very understandable if someone doesn't want to become a target themselves. Allies of a targeted group often themselves become targets and are targeted with even more vitriol. But being an ally means being there for your ally when they need it. If someone needs mental gymnastics to rationalize being an ally, then they're not an ally.
This is quite interesting, the MLK quote I immediately thought of over this situation was the “I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councilor or the Ku Klux Klanner but the White moderate who is more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice.” I think many people forget being a bystander is still choosing something that isn't helping. If you're not actively helping, you're hurting. It's like that example when you're young about how if you see someone being bullied you have to tell someone or stop it, otherwise you're as bad as the bully.
@@That1GirlNamedAbby I highly recommend checking out Innuendo Studio's Alt-Right Playbook videos. He really hits the nail on the head.
The choices are between being Racist or Anti-Racist, because even being a white moderate typically supports white supremacy, even as you disavow it. The same goes for transphobia and fascism.
How about picking and choosing our battles? This was not a battle that was winnable and makes the movement look bad in the processes. Massive boycotts don't work, smaller Local ones do but this wasn't that.
@Whitechip in terms of sales figures defining "effectiveness," you might have a point, but this is "gamer culture" we're talking about. Ever since gamergate dragged the hobby through the gutter and laid the groundwork for the alt right movement, the term gamer has been a synonym for bigot. Gamers deserve to be called out for their inexcusable behavior every time it comes up.
We are all judged by the company we keep. Gamers and gender critical terfs repeatedly choose to rub shoulders with literal nazis. They don't deserve a pass just because capitalism has made all forms of discourse and protest feel like screaming into the void.
I do legitimately hate how some people who would present themselves as allies decided that ignoring what they were told to do, and instead opting for a "compromise" where they do the bad thing but also do a good thing... was the same as taking a stand. Like... why was it so hard to believe that LGBT people knew what we were talking about? Do we not have enough expertise when it comes to fighting back as a minority for the average left-leaning white guy on Twitch?
It's a wierdly "Justification by Faith alone" take on Social Justice. As long as you BELIEVE the correct things in your head, you're not required to actually ACT on them.
That literally describes how good and evil are defined in the entire Harry Potter franchise. If you have the good personality traits (racial traits) and support the status quo, then you are a good person. If you get sorted into the evil house due to your evil genes/family tree or you want any sort of change to the status quo, then you are evil.
Actual good and evil don't come into the equation. Deeds are completely divorced from morality.
Rowling has always defined change as evil because she's a neoliberal and an entitled millionaire.
There's no reason fans of the franchise would chose to believe in the correct definitions of good and evil when their favorite fantasy world coddles them and tells them "they're a very good boi for standing up to those nasty bad people."
@@CitanulsPumpkin To be fair, well known villains stand out a lot to show off how evil and menacing they are in the fantasy genre.
Plus they rock the villain costumes that stands them out.
@Zoombi Pacman the topic of conversation is literally discriminatory subtext in a fictional franchise set in the Western world that is full of Western discrimination. Specifically, in this comment chain, how good and evil are defined in that franchise and how those definitions are both designed to support real-world evils masquerading as the normal/rational middle ground.
If you want to have a conversation about how good and evil are depicted outside of the minds of Western neoliberal chuds, we can have that conversation, but it will have nothing to do with Rowling being a bigot who sides with nazis to oppress people she hates.
Unfortunately, the fact that your argument seems to revolve around skin tone makes me doubt you have a real argument/viewpoint worth having.
@@rexlumontad5644 The Harry Potter franchise doesn't have heroes or villains. It has people who simp for authority figures, and people who want to take the place of the current authority figures. There's no difference between good and evil in a setting where slavery, aparthied, and authoritarianism are the values supported by the "good" guys.
Neoliberals and other right wing chuds like you and Rowling don't understand good and evil for the same reasons you "people" fail to grasp comedy, sociology, and economics. They are concepts that are simply above your heads.
@@CitanulsPumpkin Odd, I can't see your comment. It looks like CZcams censored you.
As a trans person, you've been consistently one of the creators to be on our side and show solidarity with us. Glad you are who you are PoG
Someone's about to join the 42% I see
@@ocodes77 42% of what? Trans people you're into? Sounds about right.
@@ocodes77 😐😐😐
@@user-cb3zx2qv7p Uhm, they said that PoG was a creator lmao. They weren't calling themselves a creator.
@@ocodes77 "Haha, the mass suicide attempts of a marginalised group are so funny to me because I'm an objectively bad person."
People can't argue that the real problem is legislation when Rowling's vitriol is influencing said legislation.
As if that will change based on the sales of this tangentially related video game lmao.
and violence
@Thomas Checkie I never argued that it would? My point is that you can not separate the art from the artist in any meaningful way when the success of the art has been weaponised against a marginalised group. 'Terf Wars' has been cited in governmental debates and awarded by the BBC for journalism despite the fact that that "essay" is nothing but fear mongering. Rowling is donating proceeds from the franchise to fund Transphobic hate groups. Last year, a group of TERFs put stickers with hateful messages and "I stand with JK" up around Alloa town centre. Do you know what they put under those stickers? Fucking razorblades!!!
@@cassiedevereaux-smith3890 Exactly.
@@thomascheckie2394 no one thinks the sales matter dipshit, Rowling herself considers support of her series support of her politics, and also legislators in both the uk and the us use her rhetoric for putting down anti trans laws.
i don't want to distract too much from the discussion but @3:02 that clip is so funny. that actor really did well. I can seem the prompt as something like, "who me? what's going on?"
overenthusiastic stock footage actors are the glue holding society together
This all kinda feels like the same mindset as "I'm all for affordable housing, as long as it's not in MY neighborhood. Wouldn't want to bring down the property values." I mean, lower stakes if we're being honest, but same infuriating, bullshit conditional allyship.
I am not a gamer. I have not played the game and don't plan to. So this is a genuine question seeking to understand all this. Why is this game so important, as opposed to other things connected to the Wizarding World and JK Rowling. Universal studios rakes in a fortune with their Wizarding world theme park, Harry Potter and the cursed child (affront to writing that it is in my opinion) is still running, pop up HP bars selling wildly over priced themed cocktails still open in major city's, and huge sections of bookstores the B&N are given over to the Wizarding World. Yet there doesn't seem to be the same sustained outcry over these other things, though they undoubtedly benefit Rowling both direct and indirect ways. I don't see picture of vacations to the Wizarding world covered with comments about how the people are horrible for going, or demands for cancelation of actors who acted in the Cursed Child. What is it about this game that makes it the line in the sand regarding what makes a good ally, or even a good person?
Easier target, developers are weaker than studios so it's a better target for hate. It also allows those that may want to go to parks or movies to state they did their good deed after bullying people till they cried or quit.
There is not. You should not be buying anything from Rowling since yes, it all goes to her coffers where she spends it on anti-trans legislation. I guess what made this game such a big moment is that it was a make-or-break point for Wizard Intellectual Property since it was flagging after a mixed play and two frankly awful Wizard Animal films.
From me personally? I can't fight this anymore. It's clear that people won't let go of Wizard Intellectual Property and it was just one decent media property away from getting back on its feet.
@@yserareborn when did she do that?
How do you know she donated?
@@sworddomo1951 Well, she has donated to Allison Bailey last year, founder of LGB Alliance (anti trans organization). That took me 3 seconds of googling.
Which leads me to ask:
Do you really care? I already said I don't want to fight with you guys anymore. Heck, I wasn't even talking to you; just replying to Sol since I figured their question was in good faith.
You can just play your Wizard Game. Go on.
@@yserareborn her lawsuit for unfair termination that she won. So she gave her friend some money. That's different than donating to lgb that Bailey runs.
Second, how often has that happened? Has it happened since the game released or does this boycott have a time machine?
Want to know why I'm confident she hasn't done anything other than that google search of helping a wrongful termination due to free speech? Because it'd be front page and yelled at forever that jkr has done so.
So a 1 time assistance to her friend is like the weakest argument that jkr actively funds anti trans organizations and legislation.
I’m so so so happy you decided to take a crack at this topic because I’ve been terrified at the way that the definition of “support” has been subtly shifting over the years and this game’s mess of a release is the perfect example of it.
You hit the nail on the head with the whole “support has become this abstract concept rather than a physical thing with cause and effect” part of the video. People want to feel like they’re not hurting anyone, so they’ve inadvertently sucked away all effectiveness of “support” and turned it into this “just trust me bro” thing that leaves these marginalized communities in the dust. Of course, harassing people who are playing the game is not going to change their minds, and it doesn’t look good for the movement… but can you *blame* people for being upset? Society has gotten so fucking *defensive* when it comes to being called out on your privilege or where your money is going. Yes, your money is going into Rowling’s pocket, and YES that money is going towards anti-trans legislation. WHY is this such a hard concept for so many people to grasp, and why do people get so fucking upset when you call them out on it? Can they not set aside their love for this franchise and realize that bigger things are at stake here?
I've seen people get less upset over being called out and more upset about being called a bigot on par with her. Even if you're financially supporting her that doesn't mean you genuinely agree with or even understand her irrational disdain and erasure of the trans community. I can understand anyone in the community being mad and I get it, at least you actually acknowledge why harrassing and labeling others out of anger though doesn't help the cause.
People casually invest in things daily knowingly and unknowingly that come at somoene else's expense, its always easier when it doesn't affect you, which in this case it very well can.
It's not really a shift. It's a very old trope for people to claim that they are supporters of a cause but only so long as it doesn't inconvenience them. MLK railed against the moderate white people who claimed that of course they supported civil rights for black people, but could the black people be more considerate about not being a nuisance when they were attacked by police dogs and batons?
I'm asking this from pure curiosity, but let's preemptively make clear I don't care about HP and have no intention of playing this game - People say that the problem is supporting Rowling and this world by both giving they money but also good press, but, let's say someone to which HP means a lot and really wants to play this game finds... alternative methods to play it without funneling money to that-which-shall-not-be-named and does it privatly, without singing praises or sharing its gospel in any way - although I know you by no means speak for the whole community - how would you feel about that particular scenario?
@@hcxpl1 Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
@@Macrochenia And I got a jar of dirt!
this whole situation is a big a mess
I probably won't get much love in this comment section for this take but I think saying someone isn't an ally just because they bought wizard game is flat out wrong, and it's actively harming the entire purpose of boycotting the game to begin with. I'm part of the LGBTQ+ community though not trans, and over the years, the real change has been from societal perception changing from what it was before. And to do that, the normal person who is being accepting and doing no active harm are people who have driven the help for that the most, apart from the active campaigners that brought up the issues to begin with. Because they are the ones that have the biggest impact on how policy is written. It takes a long time and all of those people aren't going to go out of their way to do every small show of allyship and it's ludicrous to expect them to. Similarly, I'd never say someone isn't an ally simply because they ate at homophobic chicken a few times, and buying wizard game is even more minor of an infraction since Rowling has very little to do with it to begin with.
Also the straight-up bullying I see as a response to people buying it really pisses me off. At that point it's not activism, it's entertainment and misdirected anger, and I know it's never going to help the community more than it will hurt it. And sure, you can say that the LGBTQ+ community is more bullied than they ever were, but it's irrelevant, unfortunate as it may be.
Well, I think people (including me) support the game because it is a good game, and they enjoy the Wizarding World because it contains good stories that they have personal nostalgia for. If the game or the story were transphobic, as opposed to containing a lot of good messages, then all the people who sympathize with trans people would have a problem with it. You could choose to read the goblin tropes in particular as antisemitic, much like you can choose to read Tolkien as racist, while that clearly wasn't the intent of the authors (who were most likely just using story tropes from the genre without thinking politically about it at all). And fair enough, if you don't like it you don't like it, but acting like your reading is the objectively correct one that everyone else needs to respect is just not how art works.
Also, I think that if your primary moral concern is consequentialist (which isn't the only moral philosophy that exists, so it also isn't objectively the most important perspective) and you think the most important thing about art are its political consequences, this is not a great fight to pick, for the community. If you want to get the largest number of people on your side, rally them either behind proactive support that actually matters and exists within the political sphere, like donations or voting in elections, or directly against a bad actor who's doing crimes, not just saying dumb things. This feels more like it's about posturing, or martyrdom, or just misguided. You shouldn't expect moral perfection of people on one symbolic issue, you should give them many different real things to do so that everyone can do something and achieve net-benefit overall.
Also, the separation of the art and the artist is kinda necessary if you want to have culture. For starters, people really aren't perfect, especially artists. Some are particularly bad, like Orson Scott Card, who is a homophobe, or apparently Justin Roiland, who is some kind of abuser. Arguably though, that doesn't make even their art bad (including having politically bad messages), much like good people don't automatically make good art (with politically good messages). If you personally want to never watch any movie with Kevin Spacey in it and never listen to any Michael Jackson song ever again, fine, that's your choice, but turning that into some sort of witchhunt or morality circus aimed against everyone else who actually supports the same politics as you in elections will only make you have fewer allies.
As for J.K.Rowling in particular, I think she makes the world a worse place with her tweets, and a better place with her books (which are very hard to read as being in support of discriminating anyone who's different). In my ethical calculation, this means she should be opposed on Twitter. As for consequentialist analysis, the books already made her rich and famous and therefore forever influential before she ever thought about trans people. I think it is more good than bad to financially support the people who worked on the game, who did a great job in my opinion, who are not already super rich and famous. Also, I still think that the main influence here, which is a good one on balance, is through her world and stories told within it. I think that the Wizarding World is doing a great job of refuting Rowling. Reality is nuanced.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I honestly believe that your position (or that of the trans community in this case) isn't helping anything, especially the trans community politically or culture as such.
Good comment. I'm so sick of everyone who critiques and analyzes art putting POLITICS up front and center over the art itself. Yeah yeah "all art is political" or whatever. I don't even disagree. But to me, especially in leftist spaces, people seem to think the politics are the only thing that matters. And the constant framing of ANY fucking discourse about art an entertaining through this hyper-focuses political lens is exhausting and alienating.
I do have to call out one thing in your comment though - using Michael Jackson as example. MJ was innocent. This is EASILY found by a quick search. Accusers lies and schemes exposed, their cases tossed out of court numerous times, doctored footage, the works. MJ was one of, if not the biggest target of character assassination modern history. People forget just how HUGE MJ really was.
You think someone like, say Taylor Swift is huge? Well, MJ's first 3 albums ALONE have outsold ALL of Swift's entirely discography. Nobody is touching MJ's fame.
He was black man who achieved a level of fame unseen of in society up to that point and LOTS of people couldn't handle that. He pissed off the suits at the labels, he scared the whitebread straights, and he attracted opportunists looking for a payday. MJ was innocent.
WOW.......that has to be the best defense of Hogwarts Legacy and the Harry Potter/Wizarding World IP in general I've ever read.
I've been contemplating doing a retrospective series on the original 8 Harry Potter movies. Would it be OK if, if I ever do it, I quote and cite your comment in my intro vid?
I'm nit sure how I feel about this as a trans person myself. I feel like not playing the game, like missing out on an experience isn't going to do anybody any good, J.K. Rowling is still very rich and a boycott won't change that, nor will she change her mind whether the franchise remains successful or not. I feel like this request to not enjoy something because of who started it isn't doing anything productive. But I admit I am privileged so I may not fully understand even as a trans person.
There's tons of games like this that you can play if you need to scratch that wizards and magic itch. You could play Elden Ring and make a character that looks like they're straight out of Hogwarts academy or even Voldemort
@@robertwarf3316 Wasn't Elden Ring attacked like Hogwarts Legacy?
Your position is no more or less valid than anyone else's. You're far from the only trans person who will be playing and enjoying the game. Live your life the way you want. This is not something worth feeling guilty over in either direction.
@@waltlock8805 Oh I'm not buying the game, this is more a philosophical question.
@@rexlumontad5644 I don't recall. Seemed well received from what I remember
i literally got an add for Hogwarts Legacy while watching this video 😭
Ha
Speaking as a fervently left trans woman here: I genuinely do not care if you play Hogwarts Legacy, especially not if it makes you happy. It does not affect me in any way. Yes, it puts £60 in Joanne's pocket, and she will likely put that money towards supporting transphobic organizations. But guess what? Everything in capitalism puts money in the pockets of immoral people one way or another, there is no such thing as ethical consumption under capitalism and you're not gonna make a difference by withholding £60 from a millionaire.
Yes, I hate Joanne, but people who play Hogwarts Legacy are not Joanne. As a trans woman, if you happen to really want to play this game, then go for it, it doesn't make me sad. I'm over here happily playing escape room games, unbothered.
Cheers.
Look, I understand your urge to side with the people attacking us, but you need to understand that they will not respect you. If they can't even do this one thing, that costs no money and requires no effort, why do you think they're going to protect you? We, on the other hand, WILL protect you even after you say silly things like this.
@@PlatinumAltaria pretty funny that you're claiming to respect this person while suggesting that they're not capable of forming their own opinions and are only acting out of Stockholm Syndrome
@@PlatinumAltaria You do realize the game itself is not a Portkey that takes you to the Legion of Doom right?
@@stefannita3439 tell me you don't know what Stockholm Syndrome is without telling me you don't know what Stockholm Syndrome is.
@PlatinumAltaria absolutely. If the marginalized cannot stand in solidarity, the oppressors win
To me, death of the author only works when the author is, y'know actually dead and not directly/indirectly profiting off their work.
Truly. I am a big H.P. Lovecraft fan, and I can overlook how terribly bigoted he was because he’s been dead close to a century. I can appreciate his writing while knowing that he is profiting in no way from it.
Not to mention that 'Death of the Author' is a concept of literary criticism that doesn't even apply to the situation at hand; it's just people misusing the term to shield themselves from criticism of their own actions.
@@buzzNact that’s questionable. He didn’t actively recant, but he did seem like he was on the cusp of realizing that being insanely bigoted even for the time period might have been wrong. And then he died without actually going through the process of changing.
@@mojavefry2617woke people hate others more than others hate them
I've never really considered myself an ally exactly because of how easy that label seemed to just obtain passively. I'm not queerphobic at all, but I've not really done anything to help the cause either, aside from not buying the wizard game. But doing that bare minimum still doesn't feel like being a real ally to me either.
You get an ally badge. The bar is really that low at the moment. Feel free to step up your game if you wanna feel you've earned it though xo
@@WizWiteKnight Ally badge is meaningless when others do it for clout.
And yet you still virtue signaled here...
The boycott just gave me the game a free platform.
I dont consider myself an ally. I quite frankly dont care. People should be free to do whatever they want. You wanna fuck men? Go for it. You wanna become a dude? Sure thing. Like I quite literally couldnt care less.
Am I dumb? Because I feel there's a very obvious solution for wanting to play the game without supporting its creators and their opinions...
Yeah I'm just waiting for the game to be on fitgirl repacks. I'm still not gonna play it because it looks mid but yknow
Damn I haven't been Jack Sparrowing in such a long time, had to Google wtf a fitgirl repack is 😅. But yeah I feel like it's the only way to actually "separate art from the artist" in a way that matters. Enjoy the game without giving them any respect or money
Aah, a fellow pirate I see.
Note: The phrase "There is no ethical consumption under late capitalism" means things like buying food and necessities, not buying an anti-semitic wizard game made by a radical transphobe (rowling) and a neo-nazi (troy leavitt, the producer of the game. this is on record!)
I think a few of us are going to need some citations on that last claim.
I think people using that phrase are making another valid point, that capitalism tries to deflect from moral problems by assuming a mythical "perfectly informed consumer" which makes the "invisible hand of the market" work. Such a perfectly informed consumer won't buy unsafe/unethical etc products so capitalists who make unsafe products or do bad things will fail, capitalists argue.
In reality it's impossible to be that well informed and a lot of the money people spend will go to fund terrible companies doing terrible things, whether it's JKTerfling, Nestle, Musk... I myself spent a chunk of money on Blizzard/Activision games before all the terrible things their CEO did came out, probably went to the cinema to see a movie produced by Weinstein, and these are just a few examples of things we know about because those in charge got caught or are loud about their actions. Who really knows how much money you spend every day ends up in the hands of a billionaire shareholder acting unethically. IMO that much wealth and power correlates negatively with ethics, people people who care about other things don't pursue those positions.
Of course in this case it's very publicised and easy to avoid the wizard game but trying to only make ethical purchasing decisions is an undue burden on the individual and doesn't address the real problem.
Lol, "citation needed" really just means "Google things for me", huh?
Troy Leavitt's creepy alt-right views are a matter of public record - as in, he recorded them and uploaded them for public consumption. People don't want to talk about that because it messes up the "separate the art from the artist" shtick if one of the major executive voices on the art agrees with the artist on a lot of things. Of course, it's probably inevitable that people like that end up in Rowling's orbit, considering that anyone else gets the hell out of there as soon as they possibly can.
If you're talking about Rowling... I think "Radical transphobe" is a reasonable euphemism of someone who subscribes to the idea that, regardless of why you oppose trans rights, you should make allies with ANYONE who opposes trans rights for ANY reason - even if those people are explicitly racist, homophobic, or even misogynist. I wouldn't personally call making allies with the Heritage Foundation and Matt Walsh while pretending to care about women's rights "radical", because it's actually deeply pathetic, unprincipled and scummy. But hey ho.
How is the game anti-semetic?
@@1Hol1Tigera lot of the defining characteristics of goblins (hooked noses, love money) are antisemitic stereotypes of jews, and there are a few plot points and items in game which seem to take this further
People out here deliberately refusing to understand that its not about punishing Rowling. Its about supporting and having the backup of those she is deliberately harmng with her rhetoric. If someone gets pushed on the playground you dont chase down the bulyl and beat them up first. No. You see to the welfare of hteir victim first. That's what this is about. She is hariming trans citizens who have told you the manner by which you can show you care about them.
Ironic as soon as she had a different opinion, they are quick to turn against her.
I just don't see the benefit for trans people just because Some people don't purchase the game. How does this help trans people?
@@emircanozturk8345 They just want someone to blame and vent at to feel better.
Yeah but the kid that was bullied isn't gonna tell us to not play on the monkey bars.
How does me not playing funny wizard game help trans people?
I have talked with a couple of friends that wanted to play the game (some still bought it) and it was *so* interesting to see the pivoting from point to point, just to make sure that they are not the bad guy in their own eyes.
Always minimising the reason or saying "well I will just donate to a charity for trans rights," etc.
My sister's boyfriend said to the donation 'argument' (for the lack of a better term) that "it's like the selling of indulgence."
-> which shows that they know it is bad and that they shouldn't do it, but their comfort and nostalgia are more important to them. Then they feel bad about themselves and think, "Wait, I can just donate! Now everything is even, right?"
I also had a friend tell me, "But it was my childhood, and I have waited for this game for so long."
It was also part of my childhood and of my sibling's childhood, and we also waited for a game for so long. But I won't support something that harms others, just to play a game for a couple of hours before never opening it again, anyway.
Edit: rephrased the bf's statement part, and I think his analogy was pretty spot on (we use the term "Ablasshandel" or "Ablassbrief" in my country so I also hope that the translation to "selling of indulgence" was correct or atleast somewhat fitting
Love to everyone who reads this 💕
I know right? It's strange watching people who've never really had to deal with being a politicized minority understand that their actions have consequences and that they can personally aid oppression by doing a frivolous thing
How is it harming others? More than the smartphone that you're probably using to type this?
@@sammykent5752 They're drama queens wanting some entertainment
@Sammy Kent
So, who are you harming? Mainly, the trans community.
How is it harming?:
You are actively supporting someone who is going against trans people and their rights, if you buy it. Even if you disagree with her views.
JKR said herself, that she sees the success of the franchise as confirmation for her views. (This was also stated in the video)
And that phone argument is whataboutism. I know, I know it has become a buzzword, but if someone talks about one topic and you then pivot to a completely different one, that has nothing to do with the topic that is talked about, it's whataboutism.
And if you *really* wanna know the difference (that was also stated in the video), buying the wizard game is not necessary to your survival. But you do need clothes and even if people dont like to hear it, but you do need a phone. It has become a cultural necessity. The best thing you can do for this case is to use your phone for as long as possible or look at ways that reuse old parts (like refurbed, for example. But for that you need enough money, as they are often more expensive).
As you can see, the phone argument brings the whole discussion about one topic, to a completely different one.
Donating to trans causes actually does more for transpeople than not playing a video game. The guy who made this video is the real signaler
It’s such a privileged position to be in for “game I want to buy supports things I don’t want to support, how to buy without feeling guilty?” to be the highest level of cognitive dissonance you’ve ever experienced. Like that’s some real bush league shit, imagine if they ever had to experience gender dysphoria
I gotta disagree with POG take on this issue. Many of the people who buy Harry Potter content have been fans of the franchise long before JKR expressed her transphobic views. I don’t think it’s fair to label people who want to still engage with Harry Potter content transphobes or supporters of transphobia. There are people on CZcams who have channels focused on Harry Potter content like the SuperCarlinBros and Movieflame and they don’t seem like transphobes to me. What about all the people who work at Harry Potter world at Universal? Should people who have built their livelihoods around the Potter franchise simply give up engaging in anything Harry Potter related because JKR revealed she is a transphobe?
So you're saying if nostalgia is involved, it is impossible to change one's views or values on a topic?
Or are you saying that if you liked something as a child, it's impossible to be critical of the problems in that thing and/or the creator of that thing as an adult?
Or that liking something as a child completely negates any moral responsibility you may have as an adult when you discover a thing you loved as a child is problematic or supports problematic things?
Should a child who believed chocolate milk came from brown cows always hold onto that belief because "nostalgia" no matter what new information they may learn, or should the adapt their understand and approach to the topic based on the new information they learn as they grow?
I love the HP universe. I've grown up with it for 20+ years, read the books multiple times as a child and an adult, formed friends around my love for it, and spent hours writing my own stories in the world and reading other people's fanfics within the world. I have multiple versions of the HP books, and I own all the movies. I have banners and wands, some of which I made myself. I went to the WB HP tour in the UK as part of my honeymoon. I literally teared up when I got to stand on the bridge set piece where Harry spoke to Lupin about Lily and when I saw the large Hogwarts castle display at the end of the tour. I GET loving HP and having fond memories of it. Hell, I still love the books, despite much of the problematic nature surrounding them that I didn't recognize as a kid reading the books.
But this nostalgia and deep love for the HP books from childhood does not justify directly contributing to the harm of the trans community just because "oh, I grew up with the franchise." That's poor, childish reasoning. I GET the nostalgia. I GET how much it sucks that JKRs continuing harm against the trans community makes buying anything HP a political issue. I WISH it wasn't that way. But until JKR is no longer with us, makes a drastic change on her stance towards trans people, or no longer holds the rights to the HP IP, then the purchasing of HP content will continue to be a political issue. The purchasing of HP content will continue to fund anti-trans activists and will continue to keep JKR relevant enough to push and influence anti-trans legislation in the UK. And as an ally to the trans community, I would rather be able to sleep at night knowing a stood by the trans community rather than supporting a person like JKR because "nostalgia."
@@OdinsSage I respect your decision not to get the game. I don’t plan to either. My point is that Harry Potter fans should not be held accountable for JKR transphobic views. This isn’t just a matter of letting go of nostalgia for some people because there are still a lot of Harry Potter content creators. If everyone stops buying or promoting Harry Potter content that means no one can make money off Harry Potter anymore not just JKR.
I have not nor will I ever get this game. But here's the thing, I never would have gotten it regardless of the controversy. I didn't grow up with Harry Potter and I don't care about it at all. Because of this, I cannot and will not claim it as being an ally. I didn't do any hard work. I didn't take away something from myself purely to support a cause. If I shouldn't get credit for doing what I'd do normally, you definitely dont deserve credit bc you couldn't stop yourself but feel bad.
And the people engaging in the controversy ended up helping it anyway.
Honestly, it seems so arbitrary the things people decide to take a moral stance on. Obviosly no one should be getting harrassed, or receive death threats for objecting to a video game on moral grounds, or any other reason. But people also shouldn't be getting harrassed and labeled a bigot, just for trying to play a video game in a world that they find joy in.
It's a matter of conscience. And as someone who was raised in a highly restrictive and controlling cult; no one has the right to impose their morals or beliefs on you.
But I don't have any skin in the game. I'm not trans, and I'm not a HP fan.
The whole "we must separate the art and the artist" shtick has always bothered me so much, but I could never find the right words to properly explain why it is bad and you did it so accurately and easy to understand. This division exists purely on people's heads, if they give money, engagement, voice to the art the artist will absolutely never think "Oh, maybe this isn't for *me*, it's solely for the *art*."
It is about time people show that our comfort and safety are more valuable than a few hours playing a damn glitches game.
Separating art and artist is an analytical tool. It doesn't mean that your support of the art isn't supporting the artist
The developers are the real artists and they deserve all the bonuses and accolades that good sales will bring them for such a fantastic game.
How is your comfort affected by people you don't know playing a single player game? Seriously? It only hurts you if you seek out people playing it and be mad at them for it.
Then how do you watch any movie or tv show, everyone of them has some kind of disturbing history behind them. I really can't understand why the first world Anglo people cancel certain projects, but ok with other projects which are equally bad too.
People heard the phrase "separate the art from the artist" once, as a literary analysis technique (and not even the only one) and decided that meant somehow artists can never have effects on their own art or vice versa. People are calling it blood libel simulator for a reason, even if you *could* buy the game without it supporting Rowling in any way, the art *itself* has problems
Look there’s two issues here. One: fandom has read/consumed dozens media by authors with bigoted views (i.e. Lovecraft, Roald Dahl), but unlike Rowling, they’re dead, lesser known or lack a social media following l. And second, most people still perceive HP as the fun escapist fantasy world it was from the books/pre-Fantastic Beast movie era. The whole “you can’t enjoy it because Rowling is transphobic af” concept- that’s new.
Again, for most people, they just want to play Hogwarts Legacy as a game. And critiques are not about the game itself, but whether such IP content can exist at all going forward. Which is not what casual gamers think about when picking up a game.
You're free to hang desperately on to things from your childhood, if you think it's such a vital part of your identity that you can't let go of it, or even criticise it. But what you can't do is hang on to those things, and also claim to be doing good in the world. Buying the game means accepting criticism for making that choice, and only the most weak willed would say that it's not a choice.
@@TheEvilCheesecake Yeah but that’s the thing. No one is hanging onto this franchise desperately, because the critiques aren’t about HP’s story or characters. Yes people felt the supporting characters’ names were stereotypical, the goblins were a source of concern and Rowling’s weird wizard fact drops were bizarre, but they never hurt people’s love of HP. Even when Crimes of Grindelwald proved disappointing people still said they like the franchise- they just found its prequel series boring.
No this is about fandom creating a monster from their decades of Rowling love and being unable to cork that genie. Attributes of her IP ownership we once praised are now bad, but fandom can’t dare to implicate itself. So we’ve gone in the other direction and said that any recognition/support of what the books or films once meant is detrimental to the now. Or in this case, a game. And mass culture doesn’t usually go through that. Let alone with an IP as wildly influential as Harry Potter.
@@benwasserman8223 there are plenty of critiques of the books, the films, the prequels and the games. there are hundreds of better books you can fall in love with. if you can't let go of something mediocre just because you decided it "shaped your childhood", then that's not a strength, it's a weakness.
@@TheEvilCheesecake See that right there is the curious word: “mediocre.” Calling one of the most influential, genre-defining book series of all time is “mediocre” after twenty-five years of cultural dominance doesn’t feel natural. It feels like the internet retroactively using critiques and plotholes to dilute HP’s impact on the world they grew up on to save face. Including fantasy media worldbuilding in 21st century books that plenty of queer fans latch onto. Because to admit they were at the forefront of this fandom is to say you were not an ally. I.e. giving Rowling the Whedon treatment
@@benwasserman8223 spend five minutes on tik tok then tell me that cultural dominance and being mediocre can't look the same as each other.
all lot to unpack here...first let me point out i haven't bought/played the game. i don't really care about the movies or books the whole franchise is best summed up with "meh". that said i can't claim a moral high ground for not playing the game because i would not play it even without the whole controversy.
on the other hand, i have a trans sister in law coming from a middle eastern country, where she was not only forced to hide who she is but would also risk her live if she would not. so the issue to me is personal from that point of view.
the thought i wanted to throw out here, however insignificant as it might be, is this: videos like this feel to me nearly as damaging as videos against minorities of any kind. the problem to me is not the message of excepting trans people and taking them in consideration when developing a video game in this case. the problem i see is the extreme stance of black and white. "if you play the game you're at least not a friend to the cause", "your making an active choice with your actions..." (paraphrased) kind of things.
whenever i argue with someone about an ethical or political difference it inevitably end up with a point where someone with a conservative point of you will say something like: "there are crazy right wing people but the left side isn't better" and it's hard to overcome that point because there is a portion of truth to the statement. if you stand firmly with your optioning on one side of the spectrum and call everyone not fully on your side names, then you also alienate everyone in the middle. a problem shared by both side on a given issue.
to bring is back to this specific case...it's a video game. there are some many more important things to fight for when it comes to the acceptance of trans people in society, that asking people to boycotting a video game feels like the wrong approach.
people like their comfort. even though it's a good idea to be vegetarian or vegan the majority of people choose not to be.
calling people out on "the other side" only makes you feel good about yourself, it does not help in the bigger picture.
you say people are virtue signalling and i agree but you're are in effect doing a very similar thing right now, because with this video you won't convince someone who is not already of the same opinion as you, it only helps the other side to point to this video say stuff like "video games today, our guns tomorrow". each video feeding their own bubble while the majority of people are somewhere in the middle and just want to be left alone from either side.
if anyone read until here thank you for the time reading and i would like to hear your thoughts about it.
with Veganism and Vegetarianism, a lot of people can accept the ecological merits and find it simple to reducing consumption of red meats. However, if you have someone advocating a "0 or bust" stance, there is no room for moderates to stand, only those on the extreme ends of the spectrum.
I would agree with your point space about moderates through all of this controversy - they exist, but they get pulled into the extreme bubbles when a distinct line is drawn.
The difficulty in these situations arises out of differing perspectives - what is hurtful to one may be benign to another.
Even if someone is unable to fully empathise with a situation, what can be done to find common ground or understand experiential differences?
What are your thoughts on what happens when moderates get alienated by ultimatums?
Is it productive to weed out moderates for certain movements?
Is there a better way of garnering support from moderates?
@@carnlin390 to be honest. i don't think i have very good or absolute answers to the questions you pose, but let me think out loud and see what comes of it.
"What are your thoughts on what happens when moderates get alienated by ultimatums?"
i think that is the major downside i see in general with social media. very vocal extremes get amplified while the vast majority in the middle stays silent about different topics and get the impression that the majority of people are either on one or the other side. in talks with friend or random people you will be asked stuff like: "are you for x or are you against x". to me that approach is to simple. you can be for an aspect of x while opposed to another aspect of x, it's just harder to argue a more varied stance, so people often just try to answer whatever they think the other person wants to hear to avoid conflict. i have seen this happen where in one group the same person would agree with something and would be against it in another group. to me if i know the other person is very much against what i would want to say, then i often refrain from discussing a topic at all. if i feel like someone whats to have an honest discussion of a difficult topic i will give my opinion. so i end up not discussing with the extremes.
"Is it productive to weed out moderates for certain movements?"
to me that would be a horrible idea. not only would that significantly shrink any movement, it would also lead to more opposition, since people how are alienated by your movement will most like also not help you when big decisions have to be made. it's also very undemocratic. the thing is with democracy that it need to include a wide spectrum of opinions to get anything done. i personally hate that also about democracy but it is also at the same time the single most important part about it. to me democracy is the least bad form of government there is. i don't think it's great but i do also believe all alternatives i know are worse.
"Is there a better way of garnering support from moderates?"
i don't really know. i'm not a super morale person. i care mostly about the people i know and love. i feel bad for the horrible things happening somewhere else far or close but i still live a happy live as well. in case of transgender acceptance, my thinking would be: let people now about the struggle. not that your offended by a video game but the real problems, like how did it feel growing up hiding you feelings and wishes, how it feels to deal with prejudice, to be told what you can and can't do, the financial struggle and the pain going the the medical transition. dealing with the family and friends etc.
with these things i don't mean to portait yourself as a victim or from a point of weakness. with my sister in law i see her as a strong, proud and extremely resilient person. while my wife and me were in a position to help with logistical and financial support, she did the work to take her life in her own hand. we are also not activists for the movement. i would not stand in anyones way, but we also didn't donate money to organisations or went on demonstrations. if we would be asked to do so, we might do it, but we just helped a family member nothing more or less.
if there would be legislation to vote on or vote in general for a party that supports the cause i will happily do so of course and i think that is the type of support to strive for the most when it comes to transgender acceptance. do not ask people to change there lives but to vote for the right policies and parties, and support those close to them who might deal with it openly or in secret. that goes to human decency.
i have to mention though that my family is living in germany where i was supprised to find out that the medical procedures are covered by the normal health insurance, even if linked to a series of requirements with psychologist and paperwork (it's germany we are talking about...;) )
but policies in germany are already quite ok in comparison with other countries and the current government has plans to make it better. not enough still but change happens more often slowly and unnoticed rather then with a big revolution.
all that said, i would like to hear from someone with a more extreme view, if this makes any sense or if there is a glaring flaw in my logic that i can't see myself?
@@carnlin390 ultimatums don't work because they're rooted in hypocracy. Since if somebody pressured you with "either you do as I say or else" would you accept it? There's a lot more moderates even into the extremes since when the extremes do to much people start to drift. Those diet plans have merit yet not all people can work off said diets due to health reasons as well. All or nothing idealism lacks too much nuance and will make people reject the ones making them choose. This is how a lot of people dealt with parents, teachers and partners. Which makes it even a worse tactic to use imo
@carnlin390 I think you're confusing veganism and vegetarianism with flexitarian.
Veganism- the forgoing of consumption of all animal derived products.
Vegetarianism- the forgoing of all meat derived products but milk and/or eggs and/or honey is fine.
Pescitarian- vegetarian + eating fish/seafood.
Flexitarian- living a partially/largely vegan/vegetarian themed lifestyle with limited/occassional consumption of meats or animals products. This can be anything from "no meat/animal products on mondays" to "I only eat meat/animal products on mondays" to "I only eat meat/animal products on special occasions" to "I'm just cutting out red meat and making my dishes plant forward".
My point being, there is a word for what you guys are talking about, just a lot of people don't seem to be aware of it.
@@OdinsSage except of "Pescitarian" i was aware of the different variations. the whole "eating meat" argument was only an example to illustrate the problem with extreme stances. in that field it is a lot easier to put oneself at one point in the spectrum of opinions between "no animal products" and "eat only meat" since it's easier to articulate even if you don't use specific labels.
that said i'm not a big fan of labeling positions in general, since as you point out everyone in the conversations needs to be aware what exactly every label means. in tech we use a lot of labels that people not from the same field usually don't know. to have a conversation with someone that is not already invested in a topic you have to drop a lot of field specific terms to have the other person understand what you mean.
"Trans voices" on Twitter do not represent the beliefs of the entire trans community just like the voices of someone on Twitter like Matt Walsh represent the beliefs of the entire conservative community. With that in mind, while there are some people in the trans community that equate the purchase of Hogwarts Legacy with either standing or not standing with the trans community, it is realistically the the belief of a small but vocal minority on Twitter and doesn't represent the will of all trans people, making it am empty and pointless gesture.
But more importantly, this isn't a binary decision nor or there any moral consequences attached, and trying to frame it as such is straight up gaslighting because it attempts to manipulate people into accepting a false equivalency and questioning whether or not they are a bad person.
I'm not a fan of Harry Potter. I just didn't care much for it. I barely know what she even said. But is bullying streamers to tears the right thing. I mean it makes the boycotters seem like bullies and encouraging more people to buy the game to be spiteful. But how does boycotting the game affect Rowling at all. All those who like the game are asking why not got to the theme parks, Lego, and her merch companies. I mean she's made millions. If people want to stop her main sources of income it's gonna take more than bullying people who've done no wrong to any community cause they liked Harry Potter.
The more people but Hogwash the more money JKR gets and the more she's able to donate to transphobic policies. The less people buy it, the less she's able to do that
@@Peasham you missed the point of the comment, smart one I see
@@dopekidrepublic Like a lot of people are saying it's *easier* to attack this game. All these keyboard intellectuals couldn't get bothered to get up and go to the companies that make her other sources of income. Like Lego, or other merch. I mean how involved was she?
So I do agree that by buying the game you are signifying that there are things which matter more to you than expressing solidarity with (some) trans people in the way that they want you to.
But… that’s fine? You don’t owe anyone unconditional solidarity. If playing wizard game will make you happy and you think it is an unreasonable ask that you not play it, then that’s your decision to make.
And if you still consider yourself an ally after that, then good for you. Be an ally on your own terms, and I hope that game brings you joy.
And to anyone who feels hurt by people making that decision, I’m sorry you’re hurt. But you don’t suddenly have the justification to harass people or try to ruin their enjoyment of the game. That still makes you an [not very nice person], regardless of your pain.
This comment should be pinned
"Be an ally on your own terms" is like saying "it's fine if you kick your dog every once in a while because you feel like it. Be a good pet owner on your own terms."
That's a terrible comparison and you should not be allowed to own a pet if you think those are equivalent.
I shouldn't have to explain the difference, but harming a living being you are responsible for is NOT as bad as denying a request from an equal peer.
While I am in favor of the idea of not buying the wizard game, let me say this. There are many people out there who have read the wizard books or seen the wizard movies as kids, and who aren't very familiar with the controversies around Rowling. And when you approach those people with aggression, telling them they're being transphobic simply for buying the game, they're not going to be convinced. They will just be turned away from the topic of transgender altogether.
As a Jewish trans woman, you hit the nail on the head here. I really appreciate this video.
Glad to hear this :)
But here is the problem. You as a jewish woman feels that HP is antisemite. But there are other jewish people who dont feel that way and didnt see HP as antisemite.
Who's right? The minority like you or the other jewish people who are not offended?
@@tamaspapp225 it's not about feelings, we know they're meant to be anti-jewish stereotypes, look at what Rowling has said about it, look at the people involved, even just analyse the media itself.
@@1kaz1 So all the jewish people who says that its not antisemite is wrong? All the videos with jewish people who analyse and look at the context is inaccurate? All the jewish people who dont consider the classical goblin depiction in HP as offensive are all ignorant?
@@tamaspapp225 they're objectively wrong about JKR and the other writers' intentions, idk where you're taking any other interpretation from, and you (from how you've worded things) are saying all this as someone who isn't Jewish and/or trans, to people who are Jewish and/or trans, so what you're trying to accuse me of to (I assume) prove my hypocrisy is something only you are doing, I don't know what to tell you if you still don't get my point so that's as far as this conversation is going to go if that's the case.
Death of the Author doesn't much apply when said authors are using their royalty checks to actively fund hate groups and anti-LGBTQ+ movements. Genuinely appreciate you adding your voice and *meaningful* support to the situation, it makes people like me feel a lot safer and less alone.
The way I’ve always thought about it is that if an author is still making an impact on the world through monetary means or public action, then they’re not very dead, are they?
As I recall death of the author is also about the intention and interpretation of a piece of art, not "i am going to pretend this doesn't have a crappy person behind it"
@@notrod5341 Yep. At least, that's the original meaning behind it as an approach to media and literature. The meaning of the very phrase has shifted as a result of coming into the mainstream and now people have begun using in ways that differ from the original intent.
I'm not so good at the online joke thing, so please forgive my misrepresentation of it. :)
Proof?
This is something that opera fans have to struggle with when enjoying Wagner.
Wagner’s dead. His work is all public domain.
We still talk about it. Wagner comes from another time in what is functionally another culture.
That’s very different from supporting someone from within our own culture who’s cashing the royalty checks, and Wagner is still a touchy subject.
This has really been illuminating as to who is an ally and whose concern is performative and hallow (i.e. a lie)
I'll be optimistic here and say I think the situation as a whole is a good sign. The fact so many are aware there is dissatisfaction amongst trans individuals and allies means that their voices can be heard.
Something like this probably wouldn't have been able to happen like 5 years ago. This conflict having happened means we can analyse and update our rhetoric moving forward. And be aware of what is and isn't possible to accomplish at the moment.
Change on a cultural and systemic level can be brutally slow. Outside of those who are opposed to trans rights (or progressive ideas as a whole) are many who aren't informed on the matter so they just default to whatever their peers choose. Every one of these people we win over will shift the cultural paradigm.
So don't despair because the wizard game sold alright, guys. This just means that there is still a lot of work to be done. The war might be long but every inch of ground won is worth it.
Yeah, part of the reason my people are suffering so much right now is because we're making progress. We've become visible, and we're gaining power. It's exhausting having to deal with the mounting transphobia, but it's important to remember that it's only getting louder because we have actual voices to drown out now. It's just hard, I guess
I never could get into Harry Potter.I don't know why. I think it might have something to do with it came out long after I was an adult but maybe if it had came out when I was a kid I would have liked it more. I've seen one Harry Potter movie but to be honest with you I couldn't tell you which one it was.
I cant understand how somebody can get themselves a computer with elements mined by children in Congo assembled in a Chinese concentration camp and use to guilt trip people about the games they buy. So were even.
The money used to buy the computer does not directly go to laws that reduce the rights of human people, we do not know where that money goes.
We know where Hogwash money goes, and we know what JKR is using it for.
@@PeashamWe don't know where JKR's money goes to. What are you the all knowing Machine from Person of Interest? A lot of still goes the charity, a lot of it nowhere, just stays in the bank until JK has some really wasteful descendants. Money paid for your computer goes into a lot places: worker's pockets, tax money necessary to found healthcare, CCP officials who harvest the organs of their enemies, billionaires who use child labor to buy private jets and ruin what's left of the ozone layer.
@@Peasham He just pointed out two thing that reduce the rights of humans or do you think slave labor BOTH own by china is lesser than JKR trolling you on Twitter?
You really put into words how I feel about it. Its been so hard to find videos on youtube like this, thank you!
Honestly, as a trans woman, I don't think we should be burning social capital on this. It won't make a lick of difference to Rowling, and if you're gonna support us, I'd rather it'd be in some tangible way that actually means something.
I feel same way and they cant see the forest from the trees in this boycott.
"I'd rather it'd be in some tangible way that actually means something." when you figure out what that is, i'll be there with you, but right now, this fight is going on whether you like it or not. "social capital" is a meaningless concept.
The author does link a charity, but the charity doesn't seem to actually have real benefits other than namesake asfaik.
Yeah it’s not a good look how many support bullying people who play this game. I agree do not spend capital you worked decades to build.
@@nox5282 what capital? transpeople have no capital. ya'll just proved that a videogame is more important trans rights. you have gone to great lengths to show that transpeople had no capital in the first place.
Dear lord. As someone who studies depictions of blood libel in media, this is the most blatant it’s been in a while. I was already against the game to support my trans friends, but now I’m somehow extra against this game.
Normally blood libel is just included to make villains seem “scary” without much knowledge about its past, but this is a direct dog whistle.
Yep :(
It's scary how accepted fascist talking points and imagery are getting
@@1kaz1 Bad guys are supposed to be feared and scary for a reason.
@@rexlumontad5644 This is not making the bad guys look like fascists. This is using the same propaganda that fascists used against Jewish people against the antagonists of this game.
@@rexlumontad5644 This game is the equivalent of playing as Southerners putting down Nat Turner's Rebellion. The players ARE the bad guys.
Eh, making ethical judgements about people's moral value based on whether or not they buy a video game where a fraction of there money will go to Rowling who will spend a fraction of it to support transphobia seems unproductive to say the least.
That said, I really appreciate including the charity here. To whoever reads this, regardless of whether or not you bought Hogwart's Legacy, donating is a great way to support the trans community, aligning your actions with your beliefs!
“I'm not transphobic. I just grew up with Harry Potter"
And I grew up in Xbox and PS3 lobbies more toxic than Chernobyl. You don’t see me reliving those days.
It's different if you buy it and you don’t know that Rowling is scum, but if you’re willing to turn your cheek and buy the game because you’re really hyped for it, then fine. It’s your money and conscience.
Just don’t try to justify yourself to your trans/progressive friends.
👆
Why are you comparing game chats to a nuclear disaster that killed people and destroyed homes rendering the area useless
@Not Sweet Tooth the Clown from Twisted Metal They want to distract the conversation from the actual problems so they feel like they have the moral high ground in a situation where they clearly don’t. Standard troll tactic
good thing trans people aren't a monolith
@@KillerOfWhales Problems the hypocrites caused themselves to have Twitter drama
Does the same plight apply to Walt Disney and the consumption of that art?
unless Walt's cremated ass got brought back from the dead, this is a non sequitur
Here's the thing. I agree. With like, all of this. But I also didn't grow up on HP. It's easy for me to say I'm doing this thing as an act of solidarity. But that's a lie. Even as an NB myself, I'm not sure if I could make the right choice if something I actually cared about was impacted similarly. Could I give up Marvel if Kevin Fiege was a horrible person? Could I give up DC if the same was true of Gunn? It's easy for me, in a purely hypothetical situation, to say "Obviously. I'm an ally. I'm a poc. I'm literally part of the community." It's harder in practice. Not impossible, but difficult.
Kevin Fiege is a horrible person. So is James Gunn.
@@deej751 Um... What evidence do you have?
I was a fan of the book as a child and teenager. I grew up with them and I still distanced myself from the HP brand after Just Kidding Rowling revealed herself. It's not hard to NOT support hate if you have any kind of backbone, no matter how much you enjoyed the IP
I didn’t by the game and I’m not gonna but this game should not be taking up this much of the public mind. There are much bigger problems that will actually lead to the working class’ downfall. This boycott will do nothing for trans people and buying it will do nothing for anti trans people. If you really wanna help the working class (which includes the overwhelming majority of trans people) boycott Amazon and get off social media. These false realities are quite literally socially engineered to keep us at each other’s throats and complacent with horrible systems that have been in place are being put into place to keep the ruling class in power as it has been for the last thousand years. There’s no way to say this without sounding like I’m wearing a tin hat but I truly think people need to realize that our true enemies are the rich.
We need to have more people speaking up about boycotting Amazon. Good on you, man. I haven't shopped through Amazon for a few years now, but I know way too many people that do who don't need to.
The supposed allies had one job but failed.
I'm not transgender (I do apologize if I used it wrong. Please correct me. Only way I learn.), but if someone sees a group of people as subhuman or sees themselves as superior is never ok.
I was never going to play it, but I don't feel like I sacrificed anything.
Transgender is correct word.
It is your choice not to play it. You have better things to do in your based life than argue with people on the Internet.
You can grow your own food and sew your own clothes. Moot point. Justifying those things is using the exact same mentality as you are describing as bad. Just accept that somewhere, somehow, someone was abused, used and thrown away for the good things you have and cut your losses. Same way as worshiping pretty much any mainstream religion means going against anything and everything the LGBTQ+ community is, stands for, and strives to be at it's core.
I think my issue with this entire thing is that I have not. Ever. Even once. Met a single trans person who wasn't a narcissist on some extreme level, so I'm biased toward the dislike category on contact. They make me guess, get mad when I guess wrong, make a big scene that I guessed wrong and expect me to feel bad when I won't get on my knees and apologize because the world isn't conforming to them.
Look. If you're dressed like a guy and making it obvious you're going out of your way to be a guy, I'll say "He" because that's how I expect other people to easily recognize who I am talking about.
If you're going out of your way to look like a woman I will likewise refer to you as such.
If I can't tell, I will try not to use any pronouns at all at the expense of making us both look like complete idiots. :D
I have a masculine nickname. I shouldn't have to feel bad people are confused about it or feel like I'm stepping on toes because I'm obviously not male. There's something profound about that and it's not a good kind of profound.
People can be whatever they want. I've got bigger fish to fry. Like everyone's rights to sexual education and reproductive health care....
The vast majority of people are unable to see their clothes and grow their food, a video game is utterly unimportant, food and clothes, I'd say, are a bit more important. And yea, the Church is a pedo ring, what of it?
@@Peasham it's people like you that promote hate towards the lgbtq
$20 donated, new subscriber gained, and no problematic wizard game in sight. you're good people, pillar.
*gigabased ZarekSiel*
I had trouble following the link between the buying of the game and the harm. Is Rowling harming the community with money, or just with her platform?
If it's with money (she runs or funds a lobbying group, etc.), then sure, we can start working to, well, not get rid of her incomprehensible fortune, but at least stop her getting a whole lot more every year.
If her harm mostly comes from public statements to her, I assume, tens of millions of social media followers, then buying the game makes no difference. Working to reduce the engagement with her statements would be what helps. Stop supporting media outlets that interview and publicize her, stop retweeting her, etc. Buying the game on its own does not make her any more famous or get her more followers, everyone already knows who she is.
I think there could be situations where boycotting the game or licensed wands or DVD box sets is an empty show of support, just like the meaningless statements of support from Twitch streamers, because it doesn't actually do anything meaningful.
She is actively funding transphobic policies yes.
As in, laws.
It's both. She has money to throw into anti-trans activists and political campaigns AND she has the platform to make her voice and the things she supports heard and considered.
Right, I dont live in the west or any anglo speaking country so that is your issue to tackle on.
The thing is these "activists" aggresively attacking and criticizing every streamers even tho they came from different parts of the world where those issues are not as prevalent as other issues (Pikamee was attacked to the point of going silent for two weeks thanks to you guys trans allies)
Look, boycott the game all you want, but dont ever tell other people what to do especially if they're not coming from regions where those issues are prevalent
Ah, so what you're saying is, they lightly criticized her?
@@Peasham Silvervale was legitimately harrassed, and something has gone clearly wrong with the way "allies" treat Pikamee.
Hell, she doesnt even aware of the whole thing hence it makes the whole debacle worse. The world doesnt revolve around what happened in the west/anglosphere, criticize those who claimed to be "ally", leave JP based streamers out of this.
@@skskskpost8852 I do not believe you. I thought for the longest time that Girlfriend Reviews was actually harassed and then I saw the "harassment" and it was just mild snark, after which she pretended to have a mental breakdown. You people call anything harassment, and I especially like how you call people whose names and addresses are public "doxxed".
JKR is a worldwide problem, since she's been cited in transphobic policies worldwide, and the situation with trans people is pretty dire in Japan. Not to mention, you're giving JKR money if you buy the game no matter where you're from.
@@Peasham There are youtube videos that pointing out Silvervale hate/harrassment, its real. Dont turn your eye blind because she's not on your side.
Pikamee has been silent for more than two weeks, but yeah, just a "criticism". The thing is, call them out if they ever claimed to be an ally, but Pikamee isnt even aware of the whole JK Rowling thing, she only knows that she loves Harry Potter as a child growing up with difficult cultural circumstances, and she shouldnt be criticized nor even harrased in doing so.
And no, you dont dictate, or ask people what to do. Trans right is not even a thing here, and as a country with pretty huge YT community, gamers/streamers are having a lot of fun with it.
@@skskskpost8852 Alas, I've seen no actual evidence. Every time I check, it's just mild criticism.
You should be criticized for donating to transphobic policies, in my most humblest of opinions. If she didn't know, fine, she is now aware.
Trans PEOPLE are a thing there, as they are in every country, without exception, and if there are no human rights for trans people there that's abhorrent and your country requires immediate change. I like how you say "there's no trans rights here" like it's a casual thing that isn't damning lmao
Not a member of the trans community, but man I appreciate all that you do. You've always seemed like a genuinely kind person that cares about their audience, and your content's always amazing.
I'm doing my best :D
I love your videos but as a trans ally myself I want to say that no one should have "consequences" for playing a video game. I don't like J.K. Rowling, at all. I think what she has said is abhorrant but this game wasn't made by her, this is MUCH bigger than her - made by a team of people who do care and this shows in the final product as this game is far more diverse than the original books and the films, which is awesome to see. Clearly the devs don't agree with Rowling, at all. Playing this game doesn't mean you agree with her or support what she said, you can disagree with her and still play and enjoy the game because it's not something she made, it's just based in the world she created, that's it.
This is probably the best opinion.
"As a trans ally myself I will jump through hoops to justify buying a video game whose profits go straight to funding transphobic policies"
You're supposed to be ready to physically fight to protect trans people, yet you can't even not buy a video game.
@@Peasham the point is; its okay to play this video game, no one should be shamed for it. I shouldn't even have to say this but I do.
@@friendlyotaku9525 No one's being shamed for it, we're pointing out that you're directly funding transphobic policies by buying it and are therefore not an ally.
@@Peasham No we're not. At all. and people can buy and play this game and still be an ally. I'm an ally and always will be and a video game doesn't change that nor will it ever.
If Lovecraft was alive and gaining money from his universe I wouldn't buy anything from him, I wouldn't buy his books, I wouldn't buy any video game or the Call of Chutullu ttrpg.
JK Rowling is donating for anti trans organizations and incentivizing lawns against trans people while also incentivizing people to HATE trans people.
Also, you can have a SLAVE in this game? Like, what?
I have seen some Brazilian youtubers playing the games but donating money from their Hogwarts Leacy lives to pro trans organizations.
Also, about unethical consume in Capitalism, you don't NEED to play this specific game, you are actually GOING OUT OF YOUR WAY to participate in unethical consumption.
@BanquetOfTheLeviathan no, you don't need.
Piracy is the way, you can consume what you want while not partaking in it's funding.
Very important yes. Separating the art from the artist is okay when they aren't involved anymore and not directly benefiting from it.
And also agreed. "No ethical consumption under capitalism" is meant to be a criticism of capitalism not a way to wash your hands of any guilt.
@BanquetOfTheLeviathan absolutely not, PIRATE ALL THE THINGS! ☠️☠️☠️ FUCK CAPITALISM WHEREVER YOU CAN!
Gabriel Rocha name exactly which anti trans organizations and laws rowling is donating for, as well as where exactly she's incentivizing people to hate on trans. You claimed those things with extreme confidence so I have no doubt in my mind you actually researched it, and came to that conclusion on your own, instead of parroting something you saw on twitter
@@jimjimminy4026 Please, don't fake being a fool, you know very well what she said about trans people and how "dangerous" they are to women.
CZcams doesn't allow links, but try to search "JK Rowling funding anti-lgbt politicians" and you will find her supporting politicians who are against "trans ideology" and want to defend the "true meaning of women"
In the last years she's been talking, agreeing and walking with a lot or far right anti gay, anti women's right political figures. She did progressive things in the past, but now she is surrounding herself with people who agree with her trans views and this people are very far right.
Playing a video game CAUSES unhappiness for OTHER people? ...
Do you want to explain to me how that's even possible because I don't understand it?
Who are the other people? Can you find them and bring them to me and show me where on their bodies the BAD video game touched them?
get over yourself, this is not worth screaming about online, but hey this whole uproar did "raise awareness" and that's always a good thing, right?
Once upon a time, I dreamed of reading the Harry Potter books to my kids, as they were read to me when I was a kid. Now, no. I'm not giving that transphobe any more of my money.
I agree with the sentiment but if you already own the books why not. Never was an HP fan myself but If Rick Roridan came out as a creep or something I'd still really enjoy the Percy Jackson books and world. I get not giving JK any MORE money but I think the community should pretty much TAKE the Series for themselves. Don't know if that makes sense or not. I don't plan on getting the game but it does suck because even as someone not into HP it looked cool.
@@wonder_platypus8337 I don’t know how the community can “take” what is legally JK’s property.
They're below average books anyway. Your hypothetical children deserve better.
There are a million better books about magical children, by less terrible people.
I never like the HP books from the start and refuse to jump on the bandwagon even when the first movie came out, now I'm happy to not have been part of this messy franchise.
Honestly, you've been a more consistent ally than I have. I in the end cancelled my preorder before the game came out but I'm embarrassed looking back. It was only after doing more research into the payment practice in the industry, She Who Shall Not Be Named's royalty deals and her speech that I finally got my head out of my ass. Was hardcore coping with my arguments at the time, and ftw the elements present in the game that also heavily deterred me in the end as well ofc turned out to be worse than I could've imagined. It's stupid that it took me months to come to my senses but I'm glad I did. Everyone who bought that game in the end are saying whether they mean to or not "my nostalgia for this poorly made game is more important than supporting trans & Jewish people to me and I shouldn't be criticized for that". Yeah HP got me through a lot of rough times when I was young, but it's one franchise. More people should've gotten over it by now
Cheers for coming to your senses. I don't think you should beat yourself up too much because, unlike all these other people, you did figure out right from wrong.
@@LP-tf7cy The world lost sense when people care about hating Rowling than the Ukraine conflict.
@@rexlumontad5644 I wouldn't say people care more about Rowling than that. It's not really comparable. An ongoing war is very different from Antisemetic and transphobic rhetoric. I don't think the conversation around Rowling takes away from the Ukraine conflict, like what more do you think people can say or do that hasn't been? Support is and has been lent from other countries, and fundraising from your everyday people. People can and do care about more than one thing at once.
@@vincentalis6608 I wish I shared your wide eyed optimism for humanity that continues to disappoint me every time.
I've done the same as you but I don't think anyone has the right to tell someone to get over it by now, if they had seen that the money is goin to jk Rowling and it's straight up antisemitism I'm sure they wouldn't buy it but they just see the chance to become a Harry Potter character and live in that world, let mentally ill people wake up when they're ready
harry potter wasnt a big part of my childhood honestly, so to sorta compare and contrast, i thought about if one of the franchises i did like did something similar. i cant be sure, but i think this is how it would go. here about the iffy bits, dont get thing. once it is out, look it up to see if there are good plot points to steal. if there are, i might write stuff with elements of the new media, but i would probably try and ask around to double check the stolen plot point wasnt playing into a stereotype.
also even tho ive never been much of a hp kid, ive read a decent chunk of au's and stuff of it, so i was kinda interested in what peeps' opinions on continuing to write/read fanfic of it.
Absolutely write/read fanfics of it. There are so many amazing fanfics which make up for many of JKRs blunders and shortcomings in the series. And this is from someone who loved the original series but has spent way more time in the fanfics and AUs, both of my own creation and other people's creations.
Actions speak louder than words.
You said not buying the game is not a virtue signal then at 7:40 you describe how not buying the game isn't effective as a boycott but shows your support. That is exactly what a virtue signal is
Oh but they won't see it as that nor will they offer you proper points to refute this argument
I saw a community post comparing Wizard Game to Elden Ring and saying that Elden Ring has a ton more spells, and the comments were filled with butthurt fans trying to defend Wizard Game and claim it’s better than Elden Ring. *Elden Ring* for god’s sake. They’re seriously huffing that copium.
Not everyone is enrolled on the same school of thought as you do. On the obsession with morality, allyship, gender issues, political biases, and using video games to make a political statement. What ruffled people 's feathers or the standard escapist gamer is the equivocation of transphobia to a supposedly escapist form of entertainment under capitalistic society. And believe me, there are a number of your "allies" who does that (putting the phrase "fighting fire with fire" into the same level; hatred with hatred). That somehow there is a superior "moral" high road to take, a specific hive (or a progressive") mind way of thinking. That everyone should be this or that, if not you are a bad man and should be guilt shame for it. For what all of this simply show is how apathetic most escapist gamers really are. For those who chose their escapist entertainment over divisive politics, I say, it is what it is. You chose what you chose and you are your own person. Your politics is yours. Nothing matters. Well, maybe just a few bragging rights to show the world how righteous or "morally" "wrong" someone is.
But what is morality? What is gender? What is a man or a woman? What is transphobia? What constitutes harm from expressing one's opinions? What is the right? What is the left? How does that relate to the everyday life of a working class individual living outside the politically obsessed United States over gender ideology and various school of thought; to a 'cis' person who might value tradition (maybe sharing some form of religious or philosophical view) working an honest 8-5 job and just finds entertainment over video games and suddenly being labeled something for something that puts a dent in their everyday life? If a progressive is morally "superior" then what does those believing said otherwise? Is it as clear black and white?
Yea it's pretty simple, JKR is receiving royalties from the game and is actively using them to fund transphobic policies. If those policies pass, the human rights of trans people are gone. If you financially support the erasure of human rights, you are a bad person.
@@Peasham Tell that to the hundred and thousands of people walking the grounds of Universal, Warner, Nintendo, etc who have in what way funded this opinionated left-wing Rowling (Yes, she is part of "the left"). People (families, children, even members of the LGBTQ) who in some way are oblivious to all of this; People who are not on Reddit, not on Twitter, chose the apolitical route, some even live a religious lives which normally are indifferent to the very concepts/philosophies/ideologies of trans and LGBTQ. The world is harsh. To them you are the "bad" guys, gals, zehms (insert modern handle here) for the "moral" "corruption" or going against their deeply held beliefs (cognitive biases). So I guess, everyone is a bad guy in this context. It's only a matter of which bubble, circle, or hive mind you associate or align yourself with.
Oh, if only if this was really "pretty simple" as how you put it. When you are dealing with ideologies, philosophies, biology, science, cognitive biases (deeply held beliefs), sciences, psychology, and culture... nothing is truly as black and white.
@@kurxis1930 Rowling has exclusively supported and funder right-wing politicians, she is in no way shape or form on the left. And nah, what I described is the simple truth of the matter, objective even, you give money to Rowling, Rowling uses it to fund transphobic policies, if those policies pass the human rights of trans people are gone. That most people don't care about trans people or their human rights has nothing to do with the simplicity of the situation, but the situation is absolutely very black and white.
@@Peasham she donates to left wing uk labour.
Its okay to be different.. unless your differences disagree with my personal morals... all this game bashing stinks of hypocrisy
I mean.
Yes. It's okay to be different unless you're a bad person, correct.
@@Peasham if you like doing things i dont like that makes you a bad person....what an absolute joke
@@BantuEconomicServices If you do bad things you're a bad person yes
Being different does not include, "I don't think these groups of people deserve to live".
Evil is mundane. Do not overhype it.
@@amdtoon liking harry potter doesnt mean you wish death to any groups of people.
common sense isnt very common.
I feel like one thing you didn't touch on here is the notion that 'there is no ethical consumption under capitalism' still rings true when it comes to an item of 'non necessity'. For example, me and you both consume and (sometimes) enjoy MCU films. What about the blatant neoliberal, military propaganda those films tout. Do we further justify the war machine when we make the choice to watch and enjoy a Marvel movie that is funded by the US military? Or what about the conditions of the CGI artists who were undeniably exploited and forced to work under horrible conditions.
Perhaps I'm trapping myself into a false equivalency here, and to be honest I was never planning on playing this game I just don't like Harry Potter. I also recognize your point about J.K. stating the success of her series justifies her transphobia.
But still, you said that ethical consumption under capitalism can't exist, but you have to buy things like clothes and food. I feel like you ignored the fact that a lot of the media we consume also exploits people in a very similar way that this game does (and a lot of that exploration can be more direct and harmful too). I'm just confused why this game is the line for that 'ethical consumption' argument.
It is a false equivalency, but absolutely a topic worth being discussed on its own.
If you want to play it, but not support it, pirate it.
i want to support so ill go ahead and buy it 💜🤍💚
Yo, can I just cast spells in my game in peace without worrying about who I'm supporting or not supporting? I just want to enjoy my game cuz I loved the Harry Potter saga😂💀
Also, I want to understand is there something in the game that is transphobic or is the game, in a manner of speaking, transphobic because of it's ties to JK Rowling?
Yeah, that’s one of the big things that hasn’t been clear in this controversy. Is it purely due to ties to Rowling, or is there objectionable stuff in the game itself? And if it is the former, how involved was she in making the game, and how much does she profit from it?
The game also has many antisemitic things in it
I agree with alot of what you said here. however as a trans girl, I have to say that there is a little bit of a contradiction. like, yes, you are correct when you say that solidarity with minority communities is now an active process, and that one cannot simply signal their virtue passively and claim to be an ally. but honestly, the sentence "I didn't buy the wizard game" is basically just one of those same virtue signals. I'm willing to bet that the vast majority of people who didn't buy the wizard game were never going to buy it in the first place, so telling everyone how much of a 'good ally' you are because you didn't buy the game has always come across as a pretty meaningless act to me, and to many others too. rowling is already a gazillionaire. not buying the game doesn't stop her from being rich. the only people it practically takes money away from are the game devs.
I of course have no issue with people asking others not to buy the game, I didn't buy it myself. I have endless compassion to all of my trans siblings around the world who have been victimized by rowling and her terf troglodytes. I just think that "I didn't buy the wizard game" is not good enough. there are so many problems we as a community face, and so many better ways to stand in solidarity with trans people against these problems, especially seeing that not all trans people were even on board with the wizard game boycott. after all, the talk of boycott did end up giving essentially millions of dollars in free advertising to the game, and arguably made it more commercially successful.
again, I completely understand why people were uneasy with this game and what it represents. I am too. I just also think that our efforts as a community are better spent elsewhere.
sorry to just jump on here and argue the point though. as you can see by the comments, alot of trans people really appreciate words of support like the ones you say in this video. I am appreciative too.
Game devs aren't hurted by the lack of sales, they were already paid. And the point is less of a defend jk Rowling and more of a wish to stop touching that franchise as a whole to get jk Rowling out of the spotlight and cause hee to lose influence.
@@kurumi7899that will never happen Rowling already succeeded when she made a hit book franchise, you've given yourselves an impossible task
@@jaylanmayhew589even the richest of people tend to lose relevance, that's what many want for her, to just not let the series be successful anymore, yeah she already has the money, but she won't get anymore which is what people want, if you ask me I'd kinda love to just steal her money and give it to people more deserving
@@tino9117 Stealing money won't mean a thing as long as she has a public platform. The better goal is to deplatform her (although with Musk being in charge of X it's unlikely to ever happen). While I understand the sentiment, I would recommend caution when judging who is "more deserving" when it comes to their personal property (unless they earned it by scamming people or doing a crime). Because then it can escalate into a belief that there are people more deserving of anything else, including life itself. It's frustrating, but she earned the money by starting a successful IP. You wouldn't like people to just take your hard-earned money (I assume you put more effort to get by) if they decide there are more deserving people (or those who need it more). I'm sure you probably wouldn't mind sharing some money with those who deserve or need it more, but only if it's by choice, not others forcibly taking it as some sort of "privilege tax". Let her choke on that money, don't let her actions destroy you. You wouldn't be able to do any good in prison.
@@tino9117are you Robin Hood or something ? Lol
as a femme non-binary person who gets perceived as a trans woman extremely often, has been targeted by anti-trans hatred more than a few times, has more close trans friends than i do cis, and has spent countless hours doing IRL political advocacy for trans issues…
i won’t buy the game personally because i can’t help but feel a deep sense of disgust for the whole potter IP now due to how appallingly evil and revolting JK turned out to be, but i’m SIMPLY NOT going to say that anyone who did can’t POSSIBLY be a 100% genuine and even hardcore ally. the whole ‘but it’s the bare minimum!’ argument isn’t that compelling tbh, as if just because someone didn’t think there was any real harm buying a game-there’s NO WAY that when it really matters they wouldn’t be there to hit the streets with us, protest for multiple days and protect us from the far right? i mean i know people who are playing it right now who absolutely would and practically already have with me before.
i DO have high standards for people i consider allies, i expect a lot of out of them-it’s just all stuff that REALLY MATTERS-whereas ‘no wizard game!’ feels more like a purity test, and i’m not into those 🤷♀️
By your logic of hating the works made by the author, that would mean I should hate H.P. Lovecraft because he is like Rowling in his time and deserves to be reviled.
@@rexlumontad5644 exactly, people have grown to form their own mythos and little world and roleplay from Harry Potter but because the author (who made the series decades ago) came out with their own believes the whole world you’ve created is now tarnished?
Yeah symbolic solidarity isn't nothing, but from personal experience in political organizing there are a lot of people who are much more willing to take a big action than a small one if they believe it could actually have a positive impact.
@@rexlumontad5644 i haven’t used any logic that would even remotely mean that whatsoever 🙄 i was VERY clear that my feelings about HP are a purely emotional thing i can’t even help, not a logical position. did i ever even so much as imply that i judge or begrudge anyone because they still enjoy it?
@@princssnasty Fair enough but still, there is always separate the art from the artist.
I mean I don't like Tom Cruise personally but I do enjoy his movies like Edge of Tomorrow and Mission Impossible.
Thank you POG. honestly been an exhausting few weeks seeing either people just being excited for the game "inspite of everything" or being actively and openly transphobic about it.
I'm sorry if you receive hate for voicing these options, but they mean alot. Thank you
So, does this mean you condone thd coordinated hate raids and death threats that have been lobbed at streamers by Trans people and their allies?
are these evil trans masterminds in the room with us now?
@@PillarofGarbage answer the question PoG
@Pillar of Garbage well, that's a yes.
Wow, watch the video, people. PoG states that any form of bullying and harassment is not okay. But the fact is many of these cry babies are not being bullied or harassed. They're being called out for their choices. And the fact is if you care so much about bullying and harassment look into how frequently trans people are bullied, harassed, assaulted, raped, and murdered on a regular basis just for existing. NO FORM OF THIS IS OKAY TO ANY PERSON NO MATTER THEIR IDENTITY, TRANS OR CIS. But if you're going to pretend to actually care, at least pretend to care across the board. Otherwise, you just look silly and disingenuous.
@@OdinsSage trans people aren't the only victims of bullying, harassment...etc
I'll defend whomever, whenever I come across such and if I see fit. One thing I won't do is defend a provoker
Istg, you just put all my thoughts, regarding the game, into this video. So thanks for that man.
from what others have said about the series, what's really disheartening is how a story featuring outcasts learning to find their place and acceptance now has the author who penned that story acting like *this*
Both things can be true at once. Especially depending on the age you read it and what you personally got out of it.
Thank you so much for the shoutout and for being so fantastic on this issue, we need more people like you on our side ❤️
I am not an ally and I don’t claim to be although I am not a transphobe either I am not that big into video games so I probably won’t play it but I just can’t help but hate the modern idea of not using any products or consuming any media from someone who you have a different opinion to or disagree with or even don’t like .Steve jobs was known to be abusive to his kids yet I guarantee half the people commenting about how offended they are about this are doing so on an iphone which coming back to the original point is not a necessity but a nice to have just like “wizard game ” and boycotting streamers if they don’t agree with you is just as dumb just let people live their lives your anger isn’t gona effect jk Rowling either and neither is buying the game
jobs is now dead. rowling is not. rowling is actively using her royalties to push anti-trans and anti-lgbtq legislation.
@@BadgerPride89 firstly with the logic of "its ok to support someone if their dead i could go around saying I love hitter with the excuse that "he's dead now " obviously these people aren't the same but the same logic does apply and secondly I would love to have my opinion changed if you could show me or tell me rather where you have found that she supported anti trans legislation with monetary aid. Yes she has used her platform to push ani trans veiws but as far as I can see the only evidence of monetary aid is claims that she donated to anti trans organisations that have little factual basis to them.
Thank you so much. I’m a relatively new subscriber, but as a trans guy I couldn’t find a way to succinctly describe why I was hurt by my friends buying the game, so thank you.
it's their choice to buy the game
like dude, just get over it
If you are hurt buy someone buying a game, you’re in the wrong, 100%. No one should suffer consequences for playing video games, and any community that thinks so should be stopped immediately.
*“It may be true that there’s no way to buy food or clothes without damaging the planet and exploiting workers but those are necessities. Wizard game is not.”* Absolutely true. You can’t hide behind the argument that every action you take hurt others.
It's frustrating that, in anticipation of that ridiculous argument, people put out long lists of fun fantasy wizarding games that you could play that are not only unproblematic, but were in many cases made by trans creators. So it's not even like JK Rowling has a monopoly on this luxury - they absolutely could have chosen better.
@@FTZPLTCnd, from what I’ve heard of Wizard Game, those games are probably better.
Side note, I really want to check out Wizard of Legend now.
That’s completely true. Genuine question though - what about twitter? A lot of this discourse around the game seems to have happened on twitter, which is owned by Elon Musk (also a massively transphobic billionaire). Please do correct me if I’m wrong on this, I don’t use twitter and I don’t totally understand how it makes money, but I assume by using it people are directly or indirectly supporting Elon Musk - both in a financial sense and by continuing the use of a platform that is used by the owner to spread transphobic disinformation.
I really hope this isn’t coming across as an attempt at a “gotcha” moment, that’s not what I’m trying to do, I’m just genuinely curious and slightly confused as to why buying this game is makes somebody less of an ally, but something like using twitter is considered completely fine. For the record, I do agree that buying the game is counter to supporting the trans community, but I just don’t get why that isn’t being extended to other similar situations. Is it because it’s a more direct purchase? Or because the game is purely self-indulgent, where twitter could be used for news? Or because Joanne is so annoyingly vocal about her transphobia? If anyone has an answer, or even suggesting a video or article that explains this, it would be much appreciated.
I am indecisive about how to handle this, because as a trans person, just like you said, J.K. Rowling did not hire a hitman to now hunt me down, but you used it as an example for the buyer side. The same argument can now also be made for the other side.
A second point being everybody who always raises concerns about trans rights talks on Twitter about it, which is baffling to me cause the current CEO of Twitter Elon Musk is also a Trans enemy, and they still use the platform.
To further try to make my point I do not see that any franchise is/was led by a Trans inclusive person. To that regard you said as your last point, please uninstall Twitter and do not use it, because support is support.
Weak bait
Rowling doesn't hire hitmen. She just retweets anyone who questions her bigotry and has her fans target, harass, and cyberbully her victims.
I don't understand why people have such a hard time understanding that trans people weren't the only one harmed by JK Rowling's doing. Like, even in the books, it is so obvious she is just generally a bigot. Just because YOU aren't trans, does not mean the franchise does not hurt you, it's just we're the ones it hurst really openly.
What about H.P Lovecraft? He was one too yet people buy and read his works anyway.
@@rexlumontad5644 brother, HP Lovecraft lived almost a hundred years ago. Don't you think a few things have changed? The money doesn't go directly in HIS pocket, because y'know, he's fucking dead for good.
@@donotsearchforme3977 Yet it doesn't stop others from slandering the dead.
@@rexlumontad5644 Fuck HP Lovecraft, he was so racist there's a quiz called "Lovecraft or Hitler". I don't believe in Hell, but if it exists, I hope he's in it.
@@rexlumontad5644 ??? What the fuck does that have to do with JK Rowling
Thanks for the video!
You and Jessie Gender are some of the top CZcams creators I watch. The empathy and heart you have for others are incredible. True empathy for another is something we are missing in this world. Every day, we see people spouting hate and pain at others simply for who they are. It's nice to go one here and see two beacons of kindness and hope out here. You literally say what I say every day to a large audience. Keep it up!
Are they the ONLY CZcams creators you watch?
@@ldcg106 please reread the comment. It clearly says 'some of'
@@princessmanitari4993 The comment also says that those are "top creators", somehow.
@Maya Bevan You're gonna have to be more specific. So what about what?
@Maya Bevan How adorably and disturbingly misinformed.
JK Rowling didn't make the game though and was in fact already paid for the IP. If you want to skip the game that is fine, I did, but the only people you are effecting with the 'boycott' are the devs.
JKR is directly receiving royalties from the game, no one in their right mind would just let someone buy the game rights off of themselves with zero royalties. The people that don't receive royalties are the devs, that's a fantasy in AAA studios.
Harry Potter is not something like Superman, that they just own and can do with whatever they want.
Every single time they want to do anything with the IP, they have to call up JK, ask permission, give her more money, and then negotiate how much additional royalties this new thing is going to give her on top of what she's already getting.
One thing that bugged me about this is being only regarding this one product/company. Well two, theres also the death threats 👀). She's getting royalties from many other places but the main fight is only seem to be against the game. Universal, Lego, various Stores and other companies that sell the brands products, etc. Also give her money but there's not much talk about those. (Or at least in addition to while the discussion was happening)
There's so many companies that are run by asses who people aren't going to agree with everything they say but people still consume or use their products anyway. Like with Elon and his platform, or Bezos yet they'll still use the service. There's less good owned products and companies than they're are bad. It makes living pretty difficult when anything you do is wrong as its seen as supporting their beliefs.
I think it's important to talk about but not force onto people, that generally has the opposite desired effect. Yelling and belittling people isn't going to get them to change their minds. Just do what we can, donate, don't support the things you don't want, and speak your thoughts. If it gets someone's attention and makes them consider a different perspective then great if not then they're not going to change because someone speaks louder at them.
I don't think anyone is saying unalive threats are good.
About the rest of your comment - there were pushes against movies and merch they just haven't gotten mainstream attention. And tbh I think that it is important that jkr finally got attention from mainstream. Of course there is a lot of trans phobia but also a lot of ppl are finally learning that Rowling is a terf
@@LewaGaba not saying most are saying the people calling for others to end themselves are good. Just that there's been a scary amount of it. Even without saying they should die, being overly aggressive in name calling and yelling isn't going to win someone over, even if it's for the right reasons. It often just makes them double down on something even if they were actually someone open to discussion. It's important to discuss topics like this but doing so in a less emotionally charged response to get the point across will have better results. Can't win everyone over though. Continuing to reach out to those you still have an opportunity to talk with is better than the mob mentality of attacking those who clearly has no plans on changing. They can be criticized for whatever, I just don't advocate harassing people.
I'm sure there has been push back against the other stuff that didn't get as much attention, but why not bring attention to it while the spot light is on this? It makes it seem choosy when there's not people with signs outside of universal or Walmarts selling potter stuff but only focused on this one product. Couldn't there be more media coverage and attention brought to more than just the game if people went out and protested it more openly for other things too? Also call to action for a better cause could have been used to actively help people as a result. If there was a movement to instead of buying this game, use that money for charity. Having that money go to a meaningful and better cause. Being more of an activist towards a cause than like a slacktivist approach.
It's good she's been brought to light for her terrible beliefs and people want to stop supporting her. Though I remember hearing the same about priorly mentioned Elon, but there's many who (while against JK) still use Elons platform/products. It seems kind of hypocritical to not boycott both these people if they're been saying equally terrible things. :/
I'm not sure about this one. I just don't think the boycott does that much good, and the extra publicity has done a lot of harm. As a trans person myself, I think there's a lot more meaningful ways people can support us.
Also, holy heck there's a lot of arguments in this video. I could address all of them, but I don't know if anyone wants me to. If you do, just tell me.
I'm keen to hear your perspective.
@@matttrevers2552 alright then, here we go.
So he makes a big point of how if you get the game your allyship is hollow. Your allyship is hollow if you don't help us when it counts, and I just don't think this counts. I think getting the game doesn't do all that much harm, and the harm can be easily counterbalanced by stuff like donating to charity, treating the the trans people in your life well, or speaking out against transphobia when you see it.
You could argue any support of transphobes reflects badly on you, but most things you buy support some kind of injustice.
He says not getting the game isn't a big ask, but I think it is. People don't just want to play a game, they want to play this game. It looks great, and from what I've heard from reviews it is great. There's no other game quite like it. Most high-budget games don't focus on magic like this game does. Most games focused on magic aren't this polished. This game let's you play out a fantasy a lot of us have had for ages, in a way no other game does.
He says the game caused harassment, but I really doubt that. Trans folks asked people not to get a game, so bigots responded to that. This would have happened with any game. We should blame the bigots, not the game.
He says not getting the game is a meaningful gesture of solidarity, because Rowling views the succes of Harry Potter as a vindication of her beliefs. I don't care how Rowling feels. She would do the same harm to us, no matter how much backlash there was. She's pretty deep into the terf rabbit hole, and she already has too much money.
To me, hearing that someone didn't play the game in support of trans people feels like someone saying they gave up ice cream in support of trans people. I love the dedication, but it doesn't do a whole lot.
As for the boycott causing more harm than good: the game would have been succesful anyways. The boycott didn't change that, and nobody expected it to. What it did do was give canon fodder to bigots. There's already the idea that trans people are crazy lefties who want to take away your fun. And now we try to boycott a good-looking game in a beloved franchise. This does not help our cause.
And we could have had left-wing streamers play the game while criticizing Rowling's transphobia and pointing out the antisemetic parts of the game. We could have controlled the narrative a bit and educated people. Instead now anyone who's looking for content on the game is gonna find more right-wing people. They might hear about the trans people who tried to boycott the game and "failed". Again, this does not help our cause.
Ultimately, most of the actual good this does is remove traumatic triggers for some trans people. If that's the goal this should have been handled in private conversations with trans friends. We should not have built this big movement out of it.
@@Drawoon, thank you for taking the time to lay out your thoughts.
I'm a cis male and not particularly a big fan of Harry Potter or gaming so I have no skin in this game as all. But I agree, it does seem to me that going on a crusade over this could potentially turn off a lot of potential allies.
I just wanna play a good game idc who makes it I only support good content made for my overpriced PS5 this is crazy I shouldn’t enjoy something because someone said something that hurt your feelings you should try growing up a Indian boy in the hood going to a racist school and teachers failing you because you refuse to identify as African
Don't try to have them emphasize with you brother , they just want to corrupt, divide and Destroy.
I'd like to share that Renegade Cut also has a very good short video on this topic. I will now go to Leon's video to share that Pillar of Garbage has a very good short video on this topic as well.
As a cis person, I'll fully admit that it hurts a little to not be able to play this game. Like many others, I grew up with Harry Potter, and despite the many problems still hold an attachment to it. But my personal warm feelings towards the franchise are not more important than the plight of trans people and I am not going to suspend my desire to support that community just to buy a wizard game. Besides, for far less money, you can buy pizza tower and support trans icon peppino spaghetti
'the plight of trans people' jesus christ you people are embarrassing
@@_holy__ghost Yes how embarrassing not to actively fund transphobic policies.
PEPPINO SPAGHETTI!
Update to this 8 months later: playing all the other amazing games that came out this year after this game makes it sting a lot less lmao. I'm still nostalgic for Harry Potter so I confess it'll always hold a place in my heart but in hindsight got damn I do not think I need any more of it in my life
So, I wish I'd found this video before getting into an argument with an online friend group about this. They made all the arguments you responded to, but me being the only person arguing against them didn't go so well.
I wound up leaving the server. They see themselves as allies, but I got more pushback for saying that buying the game was a bad thing to do than the other person who said that people calling for its boycott were 'modern day nazis'.
It is frustrating and disappointing.
Man, the discourse today is unreal. When did standing up for marginalized people become the nazi equivalent?
I haven‘t (and will not) buy this game, and I have avoided all streams/videos on it, but I have to admit, seeing the gameplay footage here in the background really hurts. The books were really important to me, they were the books my mother used to read to us before school, they were the first „real“ books I read by myself (because 15 mins a day of my mother reading them to us was not enough). The first and only time I didn‘t sleep at all on a school night was, because I read the whole 5th book in one go. I say that, because I think it‘s a bit to easy to frame the situation as people „choosing a buggy, overpriced piece of code over trans people“. For some people it is probably closer to „sacrificing a lifelong dream for a gesture with, as you said yourself, no tangible impact“.
Just wanted to add that perspective.
That is a good point and I suggest those people to buy second hand after people start selling it. And don’t stream yourself playing it or give it great reviews or anything like that.
if you want a guilt free option pirate it.
devs already got paid the only group you are denying money is the studios shareholders and Rowling
happy sailing
Just pirate it. The problem I and other trans people have is not specifically with the content of the game (although the content doesn't seem great, to me) but with the material support purchasing it lends to a virulent and growing hate movement.
Just keep a critical eye open while playing it, as the plot of the game is basically "blood libel but with goblins instead of jews."
100% understand where you're coming from. The world of HP is where I have so many childhood foundations. It was a common ground for many of my friendship, and as a quiet, introverted kid, getting friends was no small feet. I spent many hours writing my own storylines in the HP universe and reading other people's fanfics. HP has been a big part of my life for over 20 years. It sucks. Absolutely. But I would rather deal with the temporary heartache of giving up something that might have been a cool game for the integrity I can by sticking with the trans community. My integrity is worth more than nostalgia points, no matter how ingrained that nostalgia is. I know not everyone processes it that way, but as someone who has given up a lot to live up to my values, it's a price I'm willing to pay. I don't want anyone to ever say my actions didn't live up to my words.
Also, I agree with other responders. Pirate it (because fuck capitalism 🏴☠️) or wait a while and buy it second hand from a local shop (support small, local businesses when you cant/aren't willing to pirate ☠️). And definitely don't stream it.
@@RadiantSolarWeaselThats lacking nuance still. Devs and team needs a good CV for them to continue working
Thank you for talking about this as a trans person I really appreciate this.
Good stuff. I think there's also further commentary perhaps on the wider issues of nostalgia in this and in media. I've seen plenty of people talk about how they've always wanted a game like this but I think the game they're talking about is some blurry, lovely, flowery dream game that's always out of reach. This one is apparently buggy and mediocre but I won't be playing it to find out. Not that that excuses buying the game. It's a pretty simple hurdle to clear and people failed.
I watched a JImquisition video on this and it's really depressing how this has all played out. Stephanie talked about some contacts they have in the industry and apparently there was a lot of funny business going on. You also sort of referenced it here with the IGN article.
As a cis dude, the things trans people have to put up with are terrifying. I have the privilege of taking a step back and going about my ways. Trans people don't. All people had to do was not play this game. It feels a bit depressing ngl.
And if they didn't play the game what would have changed? This strikes me as a really silly thing to place such importance on. And no, all trans people are not united in even that. Some are playing the game and enjoying it. Others literally don't care one way or the other. A few more nickels in JK's pockets aren't going to make things any better or worse. Pick the fights that matter.
I think it says a lot that people were talking about how they "always wanted a game like this" when all that they had seen was the trailer. People who would normally be cynical about trailer footage and wait to see what the game was like didn't seem to get that, if you saw those trailers and thought "OMFG BEST GAME CONFIRMED!", they were doing it because of the branding, aka the thing that is problematic about it.
Another good point that Jim Stephanie Sterling brought up is that people who were completely incensed about Ethics In Game Journalism don't seem to have batted an eyelid at what seems to be a game with a lot of flaws getting high ratings slapped on it - even when the reviews explicitly mention those flaws. Not that anyone actually needs more evidence that GamerGate was a flimsy excuse for misogyny, but still, all that vocal concern about unethical conduct less than a decade ago doesn't seem to have even accidentally created more critical gamers.
@@waltlock8805 If they didn't play the game, I think trans people would probably, generally feel a bit more supported. I agree with you that placing such importance on a video game is bonkers and given all the legislation that anti-trans people are pushing it's comparatively a drop in the ocean. But, it's still part of it.
If we are to fight for trans rights and trans liberation, does it not look ominous if people aren't even willing to NOT do something? Perhaps it seems too easy to me because I've divorced myself from caring about Harry Potter stuff, maybe I'm being too harsh. It still doesn't make me feel great though.
@@waltlock8805 Its funny, when I buy a game, I usually do it because I want to play it, not so I can be take part in political platforming. I have no problem with enjoying art, regardless of the artist. Now, if the art has subject matter that is inherently racist, sexist, etc.. Then that's another thing. The things I look for in games is whether or not they look fun to me, and if its actually in a complete state on release. Maybe the reason people are interested in Hogwarts Legacy is because they've liked the franchise since childhood, and not because they are transphobic?
@@FTZPLTC yeah its not a hugely impacting thing for trans folk but its also really fucking easy to do.
not spending $70 on a game is an incredibly easy thing to do its the putting the shopping cart back of allyship, its easy optional and just a good thing to do that shows others that you give a shit about anything outside yourself.
Everyone who wants to argue it doesn't matter keep forgetting you don't get to decide what matters to other people its not your call to make what matters to other people they told you it mattered to them and you shouted fuck off so you could go buy the game.
You are lying to yourself when you insist you want to talk about things that matter cause you aren't doing shit about any of those issues either you are using them as a whataboutism to try and derail a discourse you don't wanna see.
Its the "but you own iphone" of trying to derail any progressive discourse and its coming out of people who insist they are allies even when the people they supposedly are allies with have told them very clearly that they have failed to be allies.
Thank you for putting words to my feelings on this subject. Keep up the good work!
I really think you hit the nail on the head here! I really appreciate how you've gotten to the core of the community's concerns about those who think that not spending 60 dollars on a goofy game is a step too far to show solidarity.
What about the trans people playing and enjoying the game? Are their opinions just as valid? Should you be showing solidarity with them? To even suggest someone isn't on your side if they don't agree with you on all the small points is insane.
@@waltlock8805 Did you even watch the video? I really don't think it's too much to ask. It's as simple as not buying a $60 game, I'm aware it is a large part of some people's childhoods but I think given the massive amount of harassment thrown at trans people daily, giving up a tiny bit of happiness is the least one can do.
@@waltlock8805 no minority group is a monolith. There are trans terfs, jewish antisemites, and black white supremacists, etc. etc. but that doesn't mean you can dismiss concerns about bigotry by citing those people as though their opinions are equally valid.
@@RadiantSolarWeasel I don't know many people (trans or otherwise) who don't think JK Rowling harbors some ill will towards trans people (at best). Whether or not playing the game matters in the broad spread of life is a different matter.
What I'm absolutely amazed at is how many call this the "minimum" for being an ally. No, giving up something small like this is going way above and beyond.
Wasn’t going to buy the game anyway, so my inaction is pretty meaningless.
Not sure what to do once our kids are old enough and everyone around them is reading the books (we live in a community full of performative “allies”).
As several have noted, the books and movies aren’t nearly as “enlightened” or even feminist as they’re made out to be (female characters who exist to be love interests, stay at home moms with no other identity, etc…).
The term “TERF” doesn’t really apply to Rowling in my mind - she’s not much of a feminist, much less a radical one.
Of no TERF's actually a Feminist lmao, their ideology necessitates the exclusion of cis women in their pursuit of a definition of "woman" that excludes trans people lmao
I've never even liked Harry Potter.
It was a pretty easy decision for me, cause I was never much of a wizarding world guy myself, so no wizard game for me. You make a good point at the end about devs; there are plenty of games that most of us don't buy (I would in fact say that I haven't bought the majority of all the games in the world), and the devs have (we assume) been paid for their labor by the companies that brought the game to market. So the money from purchases goes to the studio, and further on to the license holder (Rowling).
I've often wondered about what withholding financial support means to the hundreds of people who work on a production. Sure they've been paid for this one, but say the studio goes under if the game doesn't make its money back, what then? Well, they look for work on other projects. But what if there's not enough work for them, don't they lose their jobs entirely? Well, one game from one studio probably isn't the whole of the industry, there are plenty of other studios that aren't actively campaigning on anti-trans issues. And there's always small-time indie work. But what if this was their chance to break into the AAA scene? Well maybe they should have made a more ethical work choice, knowing what's known about the property. But what if no other job paid as well? Well, then that's the price of values, isn't it? There's no getting around it, sometimes having a principle does cost you something. And that's a choice that we all have to make.
I can’t wait to never play this game.
Good luck trying to live in the modern world with this sort of mindset. This video is literally posted to CZcams, does the person who made this video have any idea of the atrocities committed by CZcams and Google.
i wonder if he's ever consumed chocolate before. i wouldnt wanna watch anyone who supports slavery and child labour of course!
It's always impressive to see people completely miss the point of a video. Did you guys even watch it?
This game was purchased for me as a birthday gift and I chose to keep it after hearing about its multiple pro-trans aspects. I would not have if I had known the whole situation from the start but I thought I would share what positive I have gleaned from the game itself. There is definitely more that is trans positive about this game than just the Sirona character. Gender creation, vocal sound and pitch as well as choice of being designated as witch or wizard are all separate from each other, and you continue to find and can wear both masculine and feminine clothing throughout the game no matter your other choices. Plus, your character is referred to as they/them throughout. It is obvious that a great deal of effort was put into this game to not only be inclusive but seemingly to directly contradict her. It seems this game had very little to do with her because if it did, I'm absolutely certain there wouldn't be so much inclusivity in it. Sure the idea of Harry Potter came from her but this game involves a lot more people than just her. People from all different backgrounds, and those people don't think like she does. They don't work for her. To me, the ideas from this game are not hers. Until a few days ago, I didn't really know just how bad she was. I just thought it was just some shitty Karen-like tweets. I didn't know she was funding anti-trans legislation or that she has a rape crisis center that won't admit trans people. It's super horrible and I'm sorry. I don't use Twitter and usually don't pay attention to the lives of celebrities. If I had beforehand, I would have refused the gift. I can't now and I'm just trying to see what silver linings I can.
She made a rape crisis centre that doesnt accept trans women AFTER getting the previous rape crisis centre, run by a trans woman, shut down.
All of these examples you listed can get worse if you dig deeper. She is a legitimate monster.
Don't use Twitter. It's not worth it.
I bought the game, but I didn't know she was actively funding legislation or banning people from her rape crisis center until very recently myself....
@Hawl and Sera The Shapeshifting Cyber Spider Tigress if you didn't know you can't beat yourself up about it. You have the game, enjoy it for the upsides while recognizing and being willing to critique the problematic sides. And know better for the future.
I had to consider this too. I have always been the huge HP fan in my family for 20+ years now and I know its a possibility someone in my family could end up gifting this game to me in the future (they're right-wing conservatives, who I'm not willing to get into deep discussions about the problems with JKR's transphobic values). If that happens I'll probably sell the game to my locally owned small gaming store and donate whatever I get out of it to a trans-allied charity. (But I might play it before I do that, idk)
It's a made up controversy to attack people who are on the same side. Plenty of Trans people are still buying the game.
Doesn't downplay the harm it does to the trans community as a whole
@@OdinsSage, and what harm is that? I'm none the wiser after watching this video. The one example POG used to evidence Rowling's alleged transphobia was a tweet that was directly referencing an actual rapist, and not "equating trans people with predators" as POG claimed.
czcams.com/video/_GBUArD51KY/video.htmlfeature=shared
Since this problem clearly doesn't seem to be manufactured. Let's assume that this discussion can be taken seriously for a minute..(or an hour). Just know that this is not the full gambit of the HW Legacies discussion.
The main problems facing the Potter Fandom now, is that JK Rowling intense transphobia has more than alienated the trans fans and also attracted transphobs. The transphobs who are more than eager to harass anyone who is supportive of transpeople. These actions have led to the fandom shrinking in size and making trans people feel unsafe around Potterheads. It also make the reference or reminders of the fandom a very difficult and complex one for Trans people. So the question shouldn't end with is it okay for me to buy the game. The point should be to listen to trans people about this topic, how uneasy and just terrible they feel shouldn't be incidental. These are very valid feeling in my opinion, considering the torrent of harassment and calls for genocide.
As an aspiring artist all of these factors make it so that i don't make any fan art based on the Potter verse. This is the effect of Joanne's choices. If that's incidentally to you that is fine. You just won't be a decent person in the eyes of many, or you may make them uncomfortable. That is not a decree just my warning. I don't begrudge you. This is the thing that is significant.
My one would recommendation would be to listen to trans people. Regardless. If you think that her actions are meaningless in that she is no threat to trans people, do not @ me i will not reply.
Instead:
czcams.com/video/Ou_xvXJJk7k/video.htmlfeature=shared czcams.com/video/JBy93QX7ysE/video.htmlfeature=shared
@@matttrevers2552
The specific tweet doesn't matter the context must be made clear.
czcams.com/video/Ou_xvXJJk7k/video.htmlfeature=shared