FORUM

The Deus Ex series are action RPGs that first launched back in 2000. On a visual level, it was heavily inspired by the Blade Runner movie. However, its narrative is driven by a similar kind of conspiracy and intrigue that tapped into the popularity of the X-Files TV show. It is a series that fans of the cyberpunk genre should look into, and it certainly deserves to make a comeba

Well - that’s the perspective I often glean from social media, which is a breeding ground for aggressive transphobia and discussion around issues that seem more enamoured with parroting the views of bigots instead of placing an importance on the minority at the centre of it all. It’s difficult to be heard, especially when the government and so many prominent figures in the media seem happy to label trans people as predators, snowflakes, or a weird trend that can be phased out with enough opposition.

Shrek is one of the most popular animated franchises of all time, with the series subverting the expectations of the fairy tale genre and introducing elements that appealed to both adults and children al

So instead of moaning about Rowling on social media the next time she makes a stink - which she will, trust me - try and champion the trans people in your life, or creators who identify as such who are responsible for games, films, shows, books, comics, or anything else that means something to you. Highlight those voices, since the passion found within their stories and personal journeys means so much more than a rich author who wrote a load of shit novels about wizards. To be an ally you need to recognise how your own actions and those of others can positively and negatively influence LGBTQ+ people, and this will involve screaming from the rooftops to show your support and committing to silence when those above us are determined to beat us down. It’s complicated, and I don’t blame you for feeling disheartened by it all, but we’re in this together and can help make the world a better place.

A game has been made by Ghibli before, but it would be incredible for an open world game that allows players to jump between some of the most iconic Ghibli worlds and meet some of the most iconic and legendary Ghibli characters of all t

Slytherins are also known to go overboard with their intentions. Al-G’s motives of being appreciated ultimately went off the rails and he ended up wanting to delete everyone without considering their li

The characters players will encounter at Hogwarts won't be limited to other students, however. The school headmaster and different teachers will likely have important roles, and one of the characters that is likely to appear is Phineas Nigellus Black. In the Harry Potter series, the portrait of Phineas Black actually plays an important role, so it would be nice to see that referenced in some way in Hogwarts Legacy Tips Legacy. Phineas could be included in the game as both a teacher or in his later role as Headmaster of Hogwarts, both positions which he loathed. Later in the series, fans see another portrait of him at Grimmauld Place. During Harry, Ron, and Hermione's quest to find the Horcruxes, Hermione keeps his portrait in her beaded bag to avoid him telling Snape of their whereabouts. Phineas went down in history as the most hated Hogwarts headmaster, and players could experience a very different character from the gentle and wise Dumbledore they might remember from the books and films. Phineas as a character would likely be more similar to experiencing caretaker Argus Filch as a headmas

There was perhaps a time when JK Rowling could have been reached. There was a more reasonable way out of this for all of us. Now? Probably not. But we don’t need to act like everything she says is the end of the world. She wasn’t included in the Harry Potter special - aside from archive footage - because of how controversial she is. How you feel about her views on trans people is irrelevant; she is controversial. In some ways, she has deliberately made herself controversial, leaning into what is now her brand.

We’ve seen transphobic institutions make progress in the wake of Rowling’s support, and this being brought into the timelines of even well-meaning individuals only serve to spread them further and wider. I understand the noble intention, and figures like this should be demonised and called out where appropriate, but I fear we’re forgetting about the echochamber we exist within and how substantial Rowling and Harry Potter are in the cultural zeitgeist. Fantastic Beasts is still getting a third film, The Cursed Child is still killing it on the West End, and I bet the films will be all over television during the Christmas period. Harry Potter isn’t going anywhere, it’s eternally relevant and will be read to generations of children to come. For the absolute worst, it’s here to stay, and Rowling’s pockets will be continually lined with profit regardless of how loud we manage to get.