Hogwarts Legacy Tops Steam Wishlist Charts Despite Controversy
By Sophia Al-Mansoor
Despite controversies around the title, Hogwarts Legacy is currently sitting at the top of Steam's wishlist chart. While the numbers for consoles haven't been released, there have been rumblings on Twitter that those numbers are looking just as good.
Hogwarts Legacy takes place in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The game is set during the 1800s, in an story in which the player controls a brand-new student at Hogwarts who must investigate and stop a conspiracy. The player customizes their wizard and gets put into a house of their choosing. From there, they explore the open world, go to class, and cast spells in combat. Developer Avalanche has put a painstaking level of detail into making Hogwarts as accurate as possible.
This week's Steam Charts via SteamDB show that Hogwarts Legacy is currently sitting at number one on the wishlist charts. The game currently 252,527 followers on Steam's wishlist with The Day Before following in a close second. The game's preorders also rank it as the fifth most purchased title on Steam. These numbers show strong interest from a community of fans who are eager to purchase the upcoming title. But these raw numbers also neglect outside factors that have plagued the games since its announcement.
It's no secret that Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling has made controversial and offensive statements, which makes the idea of purchasing this product uncomfortable for some. But Warner Brothers and Avalanche have both made clarifying statements that Rowling had practically no input other than the basis of the IP. They also iterated that they disagree with her views, even if she has the right to express them. For a few this isn't enough, as the author will still receive royalties from the sales of the game, leading to a small but vocal boycott.
Another small controversy occurred with the case of Troy Leavitt, who was in a senior position on the game's production. Leavitt was called out for his allegedly offensive views on his YouTube channel, where he routinely criticized "third-wave" feminism and other hot-button social justice issues. The backlash was intense, and Leavitt ultimately left Avalanche studios but has clarified that the controversy had nothing to do with his resignation.
It seems for many in the gaming community however, these stumbles aren't enough to kill the hype for a new game in the Wizarding World, which is reflected by the current sales and wishlist numbers. Ultimately, it is up to your personal choice if you wish to purchase Hogwarts Legacy. While the IP is attached to an author with offensive beliefs, the game is being worked on by a talented team of artists who are hoping to make the best product they can. Separating art from the artist may be necessary to enjoy the work, but it is up to gamers to decide what title is right for them.
Sophia analyzes international trade, startup ecosystems, retail transformation, and supply chain logistics for modern digital publications.
