The highly anticipated upcoming Harry Potter-inspired open world role-playing game, Hogwarts Legacy, is receiving major backlash after the news that developer Portkey Games has suspended voice actor Jamie Clay. Clay is best known for voicing Arresto Momentum, a controversial minor character in the game.
Hogwarts Legacy is an action-adventure RPG set in the wizarding world of the Harry Potter universe. Players explore the massive game world and attend classes to hone their skills, while embarking on a journey into their own journey of self-discovery. The game, which was originally planned to be released in 2021, is being developed by the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment-owned studio Portkey Games.
One of the most controversial characters in the game is Arresto Momentum, a professor at Hogwarts. In the game, players must complete a quest for Arresto, and this has stirred up accusations of transphobia. Critics claim that Arresto’s quest lines, as well as his dialogue, contain transphobic undertones.
In response to the backlash, Portkey Games has suspended Jamie Clay, the actor who voices Arresto. Clay has since addressed the controversy in a statement, expressing remorse and apologizing for any offense. He also noted that the “complex conversation about inclusivity and representation” that is happening in the gaming industry is important.
The decision to suspend Clay has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised the studio for taking a stance against transphobia and bigotry, while others have expressed concern over the decision’s implications for freedom of expression in the gaming industry.
Regardless, Hogwarts Legacy is sure to be one of the most highly anticipated games of 2021. It remains to be seen how the suspension of Clay will affect the release of the game and its potential success.