Journalists from the left-wing gaming outlet Kotaku have attacked the developer of the upcoming game Hogwarts Legacy for expressing views opposing critical social justice online.
at the very least, this functions as a look at the inner machinations of big companies when it comes to far-right extremism, gamergate, etc. they try to feign ignorance when they really step in it (see THQ going on 8chan), but the truth is that they know. they just don't care pic.twitter.com/pVpyqN5OWU
— Nathan Grayson (@Vahn16) February 21, 2021
Troy Leavitt, the lead developer of the upcoming game by Warner Bros, "ran a reactionary YouTube channel focused on attacking feminism and social justice for over a year," Kotaku wrote in an article.
To justify their characterization of Leavitt as "reactionary," the article cites videos he published criticizing the social justice movement, defending "cultural appropriation," which is when members of one culture borrow practices from others, and comparing the current social climate to 1984.
Leavitt was also criticized for supporting the Gamergate movement. Gamergate began as a movement raising concern over a lack of ethics in video game journalism, but morphed into a broader movement pushing back against the encroachment of critical social justice ideology in the gaming sphere.
"This functions as a look at the inner machinations of big companies when it comes to far-right extremism, gamergate, etc.," wrote Kotaku journalist Nathan Grayson, whose relationship with game developer Zoe Quinn began the Gamergate controversy in the first place after he had given her game Depression Quest positive reviews.
Brianna Wu, who also became a controversial figure during the Gamergate controversy, told her supporters not to purchase the game, arguing that she has been "targeted" by Leavitt's channel.
As someone targeted by this channel, you should not buy this game. Period. https://t.co/R9iHUHbINe
— Brianna Wu (@BriannaWu) February 21, 2021
Leavitt pre-empted directed towards him when he was hired in February 2018.
"Some of you have expressed that, due to my commentary on some game industry controversies and my sympathies for the Gamergate movement, that I might have a difficult time should I ever want to return to professional game development," Leavitt said. "I'm happy to say that, even though I disclosed my YouTube channel to WB Games, it didn’t appear to be an issue for them."
"Not that they endorse anything that I’ve said, of course, but at least they seem more concerned with making good games than with pushing some kind of a social justice agenda, so there is hope."
Others have expressed outrage at the development of the game for being about Harry Potter, as a number of left-wing social justice activists have criticized Harry Potter's creator, JK Rowling, as being "transphobic."
"[The] British author has waged a tireless campaign against transgender rights," the Kotaku article reads. Rowling has repeatedly expressed concern over what she views as the excesses of transgender activists, arguing that they threaten the safety of women's spaces and create an opportunity for men to take advantage of women. Warner Bros ultimately defended their development of a Harry Potter game, stating that Rowling is "entitled to express her personal opinion on social media."
Warner Bros has not yet commented on the controversy surrounding Leavitt.
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