The Harry Potter franchise shows no signs of slowing down, more than 25 years after JK Rowling’s first book was published.
Hogwarts Legacy, a new video game set in the Wizarding World, is the latest addition to the growing Potter universe.
The game has already attracted huge hype as well as controversy, with some fans calling for a boycott in protest at Rowling’s views on trans rights.
Here’s everything you need to know about Hogwarts Legacy.
What is the legacy of Hogwarts?
Hogwarts Legacy is an open world game set in the magical school in the 1800s, about 100 years before the events of the Harry Potter books.
Players take control of a fifth-year Hogwarts student who goes on a “dangerous journey” to “discover the hidden truth of the Wizarding World”.
The game features well-known locations including the Forbidden Land, Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, as well as Hogwarts Castle itself.
Voice actors include Hot Fuzz star Simon Pegg, Downton Abbey’s Lesley Nicol and Luke Youngblood, who played Lee Jordan in the Potter films.
Read more: What is the future of the Wizarding World movies?
When will Hogwarts Legacy be released?
The immersive role-playing game will be released on February 10 on PS5, Xbox Series X and PC.
The PS4 and Xbox One versions will land on April 4th, followed by the Nintendo Switch edition on July 25th.
This is the first major Harry Potter video game since 2011’s Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
Why is the game controversial?
Some fans have encouraged gamers to boycott Hogwarts Legacy in protest against Harry Potter author JK Rowling.
Several groups have criticized Rowling for her views on gender identity and trans rights. She has strongly denied allegations of transphobia.
In December, she spoke out against the Scottish government’s plans to make it easier for people to legally change their gender in Scotland.
She called the proposal “the single biggest attack on the rights of Scottish women and girls in my lifetime”.
Warner Bros said that Rowling was not directly involved in the creation of the game, although they “collaborated closely” with her team.
Sebastian Croft, who speaks a character in the game, has distanced himself from Rowling’s comments and apologized to fans “hurt” by his involvement.
He tweeted: “I wholeheartedly believe that trans women are women and trans men are men… There is no LGB without the T.”
Many of the stars of the film franchise, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, have spoken out in support of trans rights.
The series also overshadowed last year’s special reunion release, Return to Hogwarts, and the latest spin-off, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
Hogwarts Legacy: Why are people boycotting one of the biggest games of the year?