Hogwarts Legacy, the upcoming Harry Potter RPG, may not launch until 2023, according to a journalist.
Speaking on his Sacred Symbols+ podcast (paywalled on Patreon, transcribed by VGC), Colin Moriarty when his co-host brought the game up in discussion said, “I’m hearing behind the scenes that game is not coming out this year, and that it’s in some sort of trouble.”
While Moriarty didn’t elaborate, the game hasn’t been publicly shown in some time, and currently has no release date beyond 2022.
UPDATE 19/01/22: Following claims that Hogwarts Legacy’s release could be delayed to next year, an official update has stated that the game is on track to arrive in 2022.
ORIGINAL STORY CONTINUES: Late last year, Rachel Wakely, Warner Bros. general manager spoke to Toy World magazine about the Wizarding World IP, in which she referred to “two major releases in 2022”. The first was the upcoming Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbeldore, she said, which releases in the UK on April 8. The second was Hogwarts Legacy.
“From what we’ve seen, the launch will be well worth the wait and deliver a unique way for fans to interact with the franchise”.
This could suggest that the game isn’t set to release until after Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbeldore.
Hogwarts Legacy will also reportedly add the ability for players to create transgender heroes, following controversy stemming from comments made by series creator J.K. Rowling.
In the 18 months, Rowling has been criticised for making several comments perceived to be transphobic on her Twitter account, which caused many Harry Potter movie actors, including leads Emma Watson and Eddie Redmayne, to publicly voice their support for the transgender community.
According to a Bloomberg report citing anonymous sources at Warner Bros.’ Avalanche studio, some members of the game’s development have since fought to make the game as inclusive as possible, in response to the author’s comments.