A TikTok user has uploaded a video of themselves playing Hogwarts Legacy, in which they share the location of a poignant easter egg.
It turns out, the game’s developers have added a heartwarming tribute to the late actor Robbie Coltrane.
Prior to its release, many social media users threatened to boycott Hogwarts Legacy over J.K. Rowling’s previous controversial comments about trans people, despite this, it looks like the game has gained a lot of fans.
Let’s go back to where it all began. What started out as a mere musing while stuck on a delayed train in London, 1990, led to a young Joanne Rowling conjuring up the magical story of Harry Potter.
Thirty years since it’s creation, over 500 million copies of the book franchise have been sold worldwide in eighty different languages, making it one of the best-selling book series of all time.
The adventures of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger were quick to capture a vast and loyal fanbase, with children and adults alike being instantly captivated by the novel.
So, of course, it didn’t take long for the movie adaptations to come along, bringing Rowling’s words and imagination to life by transforming them into a series of blockbuster movies.
The wizardry and witchcraft mania that was induced by the books was only exaggerated after the release of the on-screen adaptations which, collectively, grossed around $6.5 billion in total.
Despite her popularity, in recent years, many have deemed Rowling to be extremely problematic.
Although it has been a few years since then, many fans have spoken out against Rowling. And with the release of Harry Potter video game, Hogwarts Legacy, some have threatened to boycott the game.
In response to the release, trans activists have swamped Twitter.
One wrote: “Talking about the Hogwarts Legacy boycott – are there more important things in life? yes. Should you boycott it because it’s a very easy – literally bare minimum – way to show solidarity with trans people? also yes.”
“Not getting Hogwarts Legacy cause JK Rowling is a terf (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) is a very valid reason,” another said.
Since then, the game has come out, and players were shocked to find out that developers have introduced their first trans character, Sirona Ryan.
Although this is a huge step, under the circumstances, players aren’t entirely happy with J.K. Rowling profiting off the game.
Despite the lack of pre-release marketing, Sirona Ryan is part of the main storyline and runs the Three Broomsticks tavern in the game.
Speaking out about the move, a representative of Portkey Games revealed: “It has been a high priority throughout the development of Hogwarts Legacy to create a game that is representative and diverse, aligning with our wonderful fan community.”
They continued, “The team felt that it was very important to create a game that is representative of the rich and diverse world of Harry Potter as well as the groups of people who play games, which includes the LGBTQIA+ community. We have a diverse cast of characters that players will encounter throughout the game.”
But there’s also another huge surprise…
The game’s creators included a modest nod to the late Hagrid actor, Robbie Coltrane who sadly passed away last year.
The tribute was found by TikTok user WhySoSirius, who shares that it can be found close to the groundskeeper’s cabin.
In the TikTok, they explain that you need to start in the Clock Tower Courtyard and go southward towards the dark lake if you’re on a broom. You’ll arrive to the hut on the coast after a short walk. Once you’ve landed, you’ll see a tombstone with a lake view.
Hagrid’s dependable Hippogriff buddy Buckbeak is inscribed on the gravestone. As Hagrid and Buckbeak haven’t appeared in the chronology yet, the stone remains blank; nonetheless, the etching pays a wonderful tribute to the actor.
