Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy’s lead designer, Troy Leavitt, has departed from Avalanche Software and from the project in general after receiving backlash over his YouTube channel, which contained hateful videos and a lot of anti-social justice messages. Harry Potter: Hogwart’s Legacy was first announced back in 2020 and was supposed to launch some time this year, although it unfortunately got pushed back to 2022.
It offers an open-world gameplay for interested fans, where they will be transported to the magical Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, attending classes, performing spells, and brewing potions, among other things.
Just like Leavitt, series creator and author J. K. Rowling underwent heavy criticism in recent years due to her transphobic opinions. As such, many gamers and even some Harry Potter fans themselves were hesitant to celebrate the announcement of Hogwart’s Legacy, even though it’s the kind of Harry Potter RPG they’ve been dreaming of their whole life.
This time around, it was discovered that the upcoming game’s lead designer had a problematic mindset as well. Specifically, it was revealed last month that Troy Leavitt owned a YouTube channel where he posted anti-feminist, pro-Gamergate, and other hateful thoughts and perspectives.
I know this is just shocking but the lead designer of Hogwarts Legacy is Troy Leavitt, a far right YouTuber who used to make anti-fem and pro GG vids: https://t.co/kDNm9ri9zH pic.twitter.com/w3dDy0YXe4
— Liam Robertson (@Doctor_Cupcakes) February 20, 2021
There’s a wide range of videos posted on Leavitt’s YouTube channel, some of which are just utterly nasty and hateful. For instance, there are videos wherein he supports situating National Guard soldiers—armed, at that—in school premises, and promotes awful ideas such as disregarding sexual assault accusations.
It comes as no surprise that this highly alarmed the fans, especially since Hogwarts Legacy was already struggling to get accepted by everyone as it is. A few days ago, Leavitt took to Twitter to announce that he will no longer be working in Avalanche Software and will depart from his role in developing the game.
According to his tweets, he says that it was his decision to depart from the studio. Avalanche Software, on the other hand, had yet to commend on this issue or the events that have unfolded. He then goes on to say that he “will be releasing a YouTube video about this soon” to clarify what has happened.
He then proceeded to say that his relationship with Warner Bros. Interactive and Avalanche Software is in good standing, and that he’s “in excellent spirits and very pleased.”
1. I have made the decision to part ways with Avalanche Software. I have nothing but good things to say about the game, the dev team, and WB Games.
2. I will be releasing a YouTube Video about this soon on my channel.
— Troy Leavitt (@Troylus_true) March 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/Troylus_true/status/1367656637662715909?s=20
Despite the recent controversies with Rowling and now Leavitt, it’s clear to see that Avalanche Software is trying to distance itself from regressive thinking and hateful political stances. In fact, Hogwarts Legacy’s FAQ page clearly states that J. K. Rowling is not directly involved with the game and it gets developed.
Not only that, it was also recently revealed that the upcoming open-world game will allow players to create trans witches and wizards. This is definitely a great turn of events, and is a direct opposite to Rowling’s problematic thoughts regarding the existence of trans men and women.
Regardless of whether or not Leavitt really left the company on his own terms, it was beneficial of Avalanche to cut ties with Leavitt.
