As 2023 draws to a close, a fascinating trend has emerged in the realm of online gaming searches. Google’s latest data reveals that “Hogwarts Legacy,” the action RPG set in the Harry Potter universe, has become the top trending search among games globally this year. Released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in February, the game has not only captivated players but has also dominated online search queries.
The surge in searches for “Hogwarts Legacy” likely springs from a mixture of anticipation and controversy. Players and Harry Potter fans have eagerly sought out trailers, gameplay details, and general information about the game. However, the game’s connection to J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, has also played a significant role.
Despite publisher Warner Bros. Interactive stating that Rowling was not directly involved in the game’s development by Avalanche Software, her recent inflammatory statements about the trans community and her inevitable financial benefit from the game, given its basis on her creations, have sparked considerable online discussion and searches.
Google’s Trending Search Criteria
Google’s criteria for “trending” searches in the U.S. involve a significant spike in traffic over a sustained period in 2023 compared to the previous year. This metric doesn’t just measure the most searched terms but rather those that have seen the most significant increase in interest.
In the United States, “Hogwarts Legacy” leads a diverse list of the top trending game searches, which includes titles like “Connections,” “Baldur’s Gate 3,” “Starfield,” and “Diablo IV.” Other notable entries are “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” “Atomic Heart,” “Dead Island 2,” “Sons of the Forest,” and “Mortal Kombat 1.”
The global list shares several entries with the U.S. list but also features distinct titles. “The Last of Us,” “Battlegrounds Mobile India,” and the Japanese puzzle game “Suika Game” (known as Watermelon Game) are among the top global searches, illustrating the varied interests of the worldwide gaming community.
