Following the release of the highly anticipated Hogwarts Legacy, a website is being used to search streamers on Twitch who have streamed the game. While the game is scheduled for release on February 10, many are accessing Hogwarts Legacy through an early access release and streaming their playthrough to large audiences.Unfortunately, the game and those who play it have both come under fire due to the transphobic comments made by Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling. In response to Rowling's comments, some people have begun to boycott Hogwarts Legacy, claiming those who choose to indulge in the game are transphobic.Twitter user Sam Gibbs shared the website known as HaveTheyStreamedThatWizardGame.com to the social media platform a day before the early release of Hogwarts Legacy. In 24 hours, the post reached over 8 million views and forced the creator to close the comments due to a large backlash of comments from both sides of the argument. The debate became highly heated after one Twitch streamer was reduced to tears after being harassed by Twitch chat for streaming the game, forcing the streamer to take a break before returning to announce that a ban would follow any further verbal attacks.
The website in question works as a search function where users can type in the name of a Twitch streamer. Upon submitting the name, the streamer's icon will appear with the result declaring that the person is either playing or not playing "THAT game." It has become so controversial that even the Hogwarts Legacy subreddit has taken action by banning any mention of J.K. Rowling, preventing any derailing of discussions with arguments over the creator of the franchise.
Despite the backlash Hogwarts Legacy has received, initial reception by critics is generally favorable, with the game receiving high marks and praise for its stunning graphics and fluid gameplay. Some fans of the Harry Potter franchise applauded the introduction of a transgender character in Hogwarts Legacy, while others have labeled it as a poor attempt at damage control. It's unclear when or if the website targeting streamers will be taken offline, but for now its availability serves as a risk and a warning to those who wish to stream Hogwarts Legacy.
Hogwarts Legacy launches February 10 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, April 4 for PS4 and Xbox One, and July 25 for Nintendo Switch.
