 Drama: February 08, 2023 Issue [#11801] |
This week: Hogwarts Legacy Edited by: NaNoKit  
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What's the best computer game you've ever played? What did you like about it?
I've played some Hogwarts Legacy on early release, and enjoyed it. But not everyone's happy with the game's existence...
This week's Drama Newsletter, then, is about art, its meaning to us as human beings, and whether or not it's okay to pressure others into avoiding something that may bring them happiness and comfort.
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I played Hogwarts Legacy last night. Just for an hour – I have an assignment deadline tomorrow – but after two years of waiting for its release, I couldn’t resist.
It’s just so beautiful. The scenery, the animals… every single detail feels like it was made with love. By the time you reach Hogwarts you feel ready to embrace the magic and wonder, safe in the knowledge that it will embrace you in turn.
The hat sorted me into Ravenclaw. No surprise there! I left my character in the common room, and when I’m done with my report we’ll go explore the castle and the wider world. I’m looking forward to it. I want to learn how to fly, and pet and play with animals, and take classes, of course. It’s going to be great! I guess I am a kid at heart, but then, aren’t we all?
Perhaps not. There’s been some controversy surrounding the game's release. Indeed, last night a guy streamed his gameplay with his girlfriend by his side, and viewers were so horrible to them that the girlfriend ended up in tears. It is argued that purchase of the game supports the author of the Wizarding World, someone whose views they do not agree with. I am not really one for social media, but even I have seen people being shamed and guilted for looking forward to playing something that for many is like a childhood dream come true.
I don’t want to go into a discussion here about what the author may or may not have said – again, I don’t follow social media. I understand why some people choose to not purchase Wizarding World products, just as I understand why people choose to avoid products from other artists/companies/brands. There are some companies and products I avoid, too. It’s a matter of individual choice.
Sometimes it’s complicated. It’s happened far too many times that I’ve enjoyed a band, a movie, a TV series and it turned out that the artists/actors/producers have morals and standards that clash with mine. If I didn’t care that much, it’s easy to avoid them in the future, but there have been occasions when music or other content is so close to my heart, so interwoven with my memories and life experiences that to let go is not simple or straightforward… you cannot ‘cancel’ the songs that automatically pop into your head as you go about your day, nor the characters and their stories that helped shape your view of the world.
This is what happens with stories – each story we read becomes a part of us in some way, the extent of which depends on its impact. Some stories happen to us at those points in our lives when we need something to draw strength from, or insight, or inspiration, or comfort, and these are stories we turn to again and again, safe in the knowledge that they’re there when we need them. Always.
Harry Potter happened to many people during their childhood, or their teenage years, which is a difficult time for most. I’ve heard account after account from people about how it’s a source of comfort; a world for them to turn to when they struggle, even as adults, and that comfort and reassurance means a lot.
This is why I do not agree with shaming and/or placing guilt on the shoulders of those who have for years wished for an owl to show up at their house to deliver their Hogwarts letter. The wish to accept that invitation does not make anyone a bad person. Life is tough. It can be extremely harsh. We need sources of comfort, and joy – it’s good for one’s mental health and well-being.
And from what I have seen of the game so far, it’s really rather inclusive. I was able to both select the ‘wizard’ and the female voice options, which suits me well, as a non-binary person. Also (brief spoiler alert) I have not yet encountered her, but from what I have read there is a transgender character in the game.
I know that some of you won’t agree with me. That’s fine. I mean, buy the game, don’t buy the game, it’s all good. Individual choice, like I said above. That’s exactly what it should be.
It’s also important to keep in mind that it’s just a game. Whether or not people choose to play it makes no difference to anything. It’s got no political influence. It’s not going to change the world. It may just make someone happy, though. That’s its only power.
I mean… you can pet cats in it!
NaNoKit
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