Hogwarts Legacy, the new Harry Potter-themed PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 game from Warner Bros, was one of the standout announcements this week – but what kind of game is it? A press release confirms that it is an “an open-world, single player, action role-playing game” which will allow you to create your own personal witch or wizard, and spec them exactly as you want them to be.
“Players will experience life as a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry like never before, as they live the unwritten and embark on a dangerous journey to uncover a hidden truth of the wizarding world,” the blurb explains. “They will grow their character’s abilities as they master powerful spells, hone combat skills, and select companions to help them face off against deadly enemies. Players will also encounter missions and scenarios that will pose difficult choices and determine what they stand for.”
The title’s set during the 1800s, and thus precedes many of the events of JK Rowling’s novels. However, the lore is consistent with the books, so you’ll still stumble upon the Forbidden Forest and the nearby village of Hogsmeade. “This is a labour of love, and the real magic comes from the dedication and imagination of a team who wants nothing less than to make this an authentic and compelling Wizarding World game,” Head of Story Adrian Ropp explained on the PlayStation Blog.
He continued: “With innovative high definition graphics, a player can practically feel the terror of Inferi bearing down upon them, sense the ground rumbling beneath them as a herd of angry centaurs surrounds them. Even dueling against a deadly dark witch takes on a new level of realism thanks to the controller’s ability to imbue sound and touch into every moment.”
It all sounds utterly superb, doesn’t it? Are you still a big fan of the Harry Potter universe? Are you looking forward to learning more about Hogwarts Legacy? Wave your wand in the comments section below.
[source blog.playstation.com]
Comments 62
For me, the main question is: Does JK Rowling get royalties from this game? 😬
My most anticipated game.
Character creation sells it for me. It can be a merely decent game but if I can make my own character and explore Hogwarts, I'm sold. If it's any better than decent, that's even better, of course.
Harry Potter is being given the respect he deserves in game adaptations that don't involve LEGO bricks
And J.K. Rowling is getting shade thrown at her for her new book being littered with transphobia
It's a good ass day to be a Wizarding World fan
@Brydontk this and, do I have to be a girl or a boy? I'll live with her royal terfness getting royalties of it comes with a big fat middle finger attached
The last book in the main series was published in 2007. Not sure why it took so long to get a proper game centered on this franchise. But better late than never... well, hopefully.
@Brydontk WB Games thankfully confirmed that Rowling is not at all directly involved with this game's development.
Looks good I think. Definitely curious!
I'm a bit out of touch with Harry potter these days. I've read the books and seen the films but don't really follow whatevers going on in the universe that keeps potter fans excited to this day.
Also I don't think I'll be waving my wand somewhere so public as this comment section!
Special shout-out to that article tagline. Brilliant.
@TheFrenchiestFry @Brydontk But is she making money from this somehow? Probably. Which seems only fair considering it's, y'know, her creation.
It would be sweet sweet justice if the devs really do allow you to be whoever you want to be, not defined by TERF-who-must-not-be-named’s standards.
I was a couple of years too old to enjoy the books when they came out and the films have only a passing interest to me, but this looks ace
@zupertramp Some of the Harry Potter games, particularly on PSone, were pretty good. But yeah, it's crazy it's taken this long.
One question though... is this PS5 only or will it straddle the gens like some of the other releases?
I'm very excited for this. Could be an excellent game if they do it right.
@zupertramp Bad people can make good media, the problem is that I just don’t know if I could financially support them. If the devs make a proper stand, and they have shown signs that they will, I’ll absolutely check it out.
I hate WB with a passion, but even I have to admit I'm really looking forward to this. A big Harry Potter RPG like this is something I've wanted since I was a kid.
Release date: Now please?
@zupertramp It's a cross-gen title.
@nessisonett Yeah no doubt and, as suggested, I'd welcome a non-binary character selection feature or something else to signal that they aren't tone-deaf but, idk, I guess because I've had it out with members of my family over Rowling so many times I've grown really tired of the controversy. As anachronistic as I find her views, at the end of the day, HP doesn't exist without her. And that's okay.
My expectations for a HP are simply too high. This game won't live up to it I'm certain.
This was the best announcement yesterday, absolutely cannot wait to play this game.
@Zuljaras If an entire group of people being targeted by JK Rowling’s hateful garbage is a ‘progressive slap in the face’ to you, you should perhaps get out more. Media doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it’s the absolute opposite.
@Matroska I really hate character creators with a passion. The character always turns out to be some bland monstrosity, with the emotional affection of a brick tile. Can't express too much, because we have to represent everyone. And none of them are memorable as a result.
Give me a good solid main character any day over silly Mr. Dinkleface I have create myself! Quite lazy on the devs part as well IMO.
This was one of the highlights of the show. It looks absolutely supurb and i for one cant wait to jump in.
And yes, JK will absolutely get royalties from this. Warner Bros will be licensing the IP. Anything based in the world of Harry Potter will see royalties filling her vaults at gringotts.
Wonder how many people will just create Harry Potter in the character creator
@get2sammyb Looking through some of the early titles on YouTube I'm actually kinda surprised. Not too bad. I didn't have a PSone so that explains some of it but really even later releases don't look too shabby either. Guess somewhere along the way Lego took over and everyone else just quit and it's that period of time that's stuck in my memory.
@Rob_230
lol good call, the ones who don't create Ron or Hermione is your answer. I wonder if that's why they went that route, like NCAA Football, they knew people would want to at least name their characters after their movie favorites.
@zupertramp The EA games just fell off with the later movies, unfortunately. They went with a darker more adult tone to reflect the films and the games just weren't as fun.
Order of Phoenix was pretty good on PS3, as it had a fully explorable Hogwarts. But the PS1 games are my faves.
Buy it second hand 🤙🏼
@Zuljaras "Even if Hitler comes and makes a good game I will play it."
That is a booooooooold statement...
@Zuljaras So you’d openly pay money that a portion of went to the literal Nazis if they had made a good game? If you can’t see the problem with that then I genuinely don’t know what to say.
@nessisonett @Zuljaras "Media doesn't exist in a vacuum" Exactly. Purchasing the game more or less means putting money in her pocket. And that's not always the worst thing in the world in some cases because you'd be hard-pressed to find a celebrity who wasn't terrible or had dirty laundry of some sort, but when the issue comes from the fact that the person has a TON of influence and how they're using that influence, then comes the question of if you continue supporting that influence.
Here's the thing, that game looks amazing; I honestly can't blame people who want to buy it because it looks like a TON of hard work went into it and it sucks for the developers that this controversy hit the fan shortly before they were ready to announce it. But for me, out of principle, I've just stopped consuming anything related to Rowling. Not to mention, I have a couple of trans friends who come over relatively often. If the developers do give a middle finger in the game somehow like some commenters have suggested. I'll consider getting it because then there's a reason why I'd make the purchase when it conflicts with my values. But what am I supposed to do if I try to ignore the fact that I have trans people I care about? Hide the game like it's a dirty secret? I'd rather just not do it... Shoot, even if I didn't have people I cared about it wouldnt sit well with me.
@nessisonett All I am saying is that the product is what matters to me. Not who makes it.
If you do not want to pay for it just because the creator is against trans people fine. But do not judge people who do not care about progressive stuff and only want to enjoy the game.
I know you and how you care about trans and other minority stuff. I am sorry but I don't. I do not have trans friends or relatives and I probably never will. I am here and in NintendoLife for the games not the politics, agendas and lifestyles.
EDIT: So people are upset because some Man who dresses as a woman is a serial killer in her latest book? This is hilarious! This was done in Silence of the Lambs as well. So should I be outraged if some evil characters are white males? Ofc not.
@Brydontk honestly i plan on buying it second hand unless the devs come out and can honestly say not a penny goes to her... Obviously if it turns out to be a dumpster fire in reviews I won't even bother at second handedness.
Looking forward to this. Hopefully get to find out a release date soon and fingers crossed it doesn't get delayed, this feels like one of those games that may well do.
It's been a long time since I've played a Harry Potter game. The 4th game to be exact.
Feel this should have been made at the peak of Potter Fever in the early 2010s but better late than never.
I hope i get sorted into Ravenclaw!
My most anticipated game by far.
@Zuljaras You act as if it’s an optional thing to care about basic human rights. You could have gone your whole life in the 1700s without meeting a slave. Inaction and disinterest as others are mistreated systematically around the world is just not on. This is why these problems are unchecked for so long. Games, music, movies, books, art, these things are all created by a person who holds views that inherently find their way into the media. Shakespeare plays contain political satire of the time, Renaissance artists painted art that reflected their homosexuality, Lovecraft’s stories are filled with racist metaphors, Bob Dylan has been singing about injustices for as long as he’s been active. Media is political. Art is political. If you don’t engage then you’re completely missing the point.
Haven’t seen any of the films nor read the books but this game looks exciting.
@nessisonett I do not care about what your or his ideals are.
Keep the political discussion ideally away from an article that discusses a game that looks quite fantastic.
No, I really don't care if he is hurting your feelings. I can say that he has freedom to keep his company limited to whom ever he choses, and you have yours. Don't impose your ideals on him while expecting him not to want to maintain his.
Between you 2, it is apparent that No one has issues with trans people. However he has his preferences and you have yours.
Respect his preferences and views while asking him to respect yours.
He is not going out of his way to defend Rowling. You are going out of your way to go against her.
Please be respectful to each others preferences and choices. You are suggesting outrageous things to him that he has not suggested in any shape or form.
My wife is a huge HP fan and I'm excited to play this with her.
Purely cannot say. On one hand it is "open world"(those words always strings nerves because almost all "open worlds" have short weak story), on the other hand WBs' Shadow of Mordor is surprise of fun, even if simple, it is fun. Must wait...
Best announcement of the entire show
@Brydontk She deserved them. It's her universe. She created it. She said nothing wrong.
@JRRR92 Sex and gender are different. That’s biology. Facts. Ask literally any doctor.
@nessisonett I have, 3 family members actually, all agree. People's opinion/gender don't matter. Biology does, DNA, chromosomes, that's how people know if it's a man or a woman, those are the only 2. Facts. People that don't like what they were given and call themselves otherwise are delusional.
@JRRR92 I’m not going to get into genuine gender theory because that’s an actual scientific topic that people like you pretend doesn’t exist. Let’s be frank, people said this exact same sorta stuff about gay people until very recently, about black people, about anyone that doesn’t fit a specific norm. Would you also say this stuff about gay people or are trans people just an easy target for you?
@nessisonett Gender is just what people think of themselves, and this is what you don't get or you do, but are too dumb to get. Opinions don't matter. Physical nature, biology does. A person is born a man or a woman, that's how they're determined and how they will be for the rest of their lives. People don't get to choose that. Deny facts all you want, say lies like scientists back you up all you want, the reality is you're wrong. That's the beauty of reality.
Being gay is a preference. Being a man or a woman is not.
@JRRR92 ....being gay is a choice? I’d love to believe that you’re just a troll but if you truly believe this garbage then I fear for humanity.
@nessisonett The same with you. If you truly believe how a person identifies is more important than science, biology, evolution, then with people like you, this society is doomed.
@Brydontk It's possible. But even if not, it does keep the HP franchise in a high profile which will make it that she benefits of it either way.
@nessisonett Sure some things are political as you described some people in the past influenced their works with politics but not everything should be.
Also why every time you try to make a point you end with "if you really think thay I fear for humanity" or some other variation of the phrase? That does not make your point more valid than others.
There are some things that I would never agree on just like you about your ideology and values and that is ok as long as we do not try to go at each others throats.
I for example would never support people who win medals in womens sports that are biologically males. My opinion might hurt people but that is ok as long as it is only and opinion and not act of violence.
Take care and happy gaming!
@Zuljaras you are not incorrect. You have a valid point.
@nessisonett yes it is a choice. No one is forcing any one to mate with any one. It is purely a choice. The world is about choices, freedom of speech and all that other stuff.
It is "always a choice".
Damns, I should've made some popcorn before reading the comments.
@JRRR92 "Gender is an amalgamation of several elements: chromosomes (those X’s and Y’s), anatomy (internal sex organs and external genitals), hormones (relative levels of testosterone and estrogen), psychology (self-defined gender identity), and culture (socially defined gender behaviors)".
Even with chromosomes, did you know that the masculine traits come from a gene on the Y chromosome and NOT the Y chromosome itself, and sometimes the gene isn't present so even a person with a Y Chromosome STILL has female phenotypes. Which is primarily why in some cultures/countries there's a third gender where a child is born without female phenotypes but develops male looking traits as a preteen that doesn't actually produce anything. People like you who claim "science is science" cracks me up because you all CLEARLY got your basic information from high school biology and run with it for the rest of your lives without ever trying to understand the nuance. Science is messy, nothing in life is never clearly delineated as, "Things are this, and that's that". We're taught that as a foundation but you need to build on that foundation.
@GumbaMasta Meh good point. Ethical consumption is tough sometimes...
@Brydontk Men and women are not defined popular opinion, but by their DNA. This is a fact. Biology dictates what we are. Always have, always will. Science is more important than peoples feelings.
@JRRR92 My definition is literally what's provided by academia and scientific consensus, not popular opinion. I just did a WHOLE thing describing the science of it and you're rejecting it as "science is more important than people's feelings". Ha, ok dude <-<
@JRRR92 What, your uncle that works at biology told you that?
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