Publisher Czech Games Edition (CGE) is facing a significant industry backlash, including boycotts from major reviewers, following the announcement of a new Harry Potter-themed game, Codenames: Back to Hogwarts. The criticism centres on licensing a property from author J.K. Rowling, whose public statements and funding of anti-trans causes have generated widespread controversy.
The Tabletop Game Designers Association (TTGDA), a professional body established by prominent designers such as Elizabeth Hargrave (Wingspan) and Sen-Foong Lim (Mind MGMT), was swift to condemn the move. In a public statement, the organisation expressed its disappointment.
The TTGDA leadership noted:
Author J.K. Rowling’s extreme anti-trans rhetoric has caused physical and emotional harm to a particularly vulnerable group, and the licensing fees she receives from the game will be used to support these attacks… TTGDA is dedicated to fostering diversity in designers and diversity in viewpoints. However we do not accept intolerance and demonization of a specific group as an acceptable viewpoint.”
The association urged CGE to either reconsider the game’s release or to “dedicate a portion of the proceeds to organisations such as The Trevor Project to offset licensing fees that flow back to Rowling.”
CGE, the publisher behind hits like Galaxy Trucker and the original Codenames, released its own statement. The company, founded in 2007, spoke of the inspirational nature of the magical world without directly mentioning Harry Potter or its author.
CGE stated:
We know many people around the world share the same sentiment about this universe, even among those who have been hurt by the public views and actions of its creator. Deciding whether those feelings should also transfer to the once-beloved world is up to everyone, and we fully respect and understand those who do not wish to engage with this game.”
The response was widely criticised online for not addressing the core issue of financially supporting Rowling. In the wake of the announcement, CGE locked comments on its social media posts about the game and, according to a report by BoardGameWire, blocked hundreds of accounts, including those of reviewers and trans advocates.
Reviewers Boycott
The fallout has been most pronounced among tabletop game reviewers, with several influential channels announcing a boycott of CGE products.
Tom Brewster, editor-in-chief of the popular review site Shut Up & Sit Down, told BoardGameWire that the site would not cover CGE games for the foreseeable future.
Brewster said:
I fail to see Harry Potter: Codenames as anything but a soulless cash grab that’s tremendously insulting to the trans folks JK Rowling has been trying her best to oust from public life… To tie your well respected brand to such a visibly horrible individual is a just a shockingly poor decision on all fronts.”
No Pun Included, another major YouTube channel, joined the boycott. Co-creator Efka Bladukas explained their position.
Bladukas noted:
Boycotting someone sounds like a big thing, but we want to make it clear, from our side it isn’t. We’re simply choosing to no longer cover an established publisher who made business decisions that are resulting in harm to a marginalized community… In an environment where more board games are being made than can ever be played, eliminating a publisher’s catalogue from the roster allows for space for other voices to be showcased.”
Other creators have echoed this sentiment. Jarrod Carmichael of 3 Minute Board Games confirmed they have had a policy against promoting Rowling’s work since 2019 and will not support a company that endorses her. Ilya Ushakov of Kovray called it an “easy decision” to stop covering CGE, stating that CGE’s decision “directly funds JK Rowling, who continues to use her influence AND MONEY to harm the most vulnerable people in our communities.”
Wider Industry Reaction
The criticism extends beyond reviewers. Veteran game designer Eric Lang (Blood Rage) said on social media,
Making a Harry Potter game in 2025 without acknowledging the harm of transphobia at a bare minimum is a political statement. Intent doesn’t matter.”
Wingspan artist Beth Sobel also commented, highlighting the direct financial link. She stated,
[JK Rowling] is funding life-destroying legislation. When you license [Harry Potter] and put it on your product, the money you pay to do that is literally ruining lives.”
The timing of the announcement, just before the major US convention Gen Con, has led to calls for protest. Board game designer Marceline Leiman, a winner of this year’s Diana Jones Award, has suggested a “sit in” at CGE’s booth to “make their space uncomfortable and inconvenient.”
CGE, which has expanded into digital games with Codenames Online and even published a novel, has not yet issued a further response to the growing boycott.
