Elizabeth Yu recently shared thoughts about herself and Netflix’s adaptation of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ in an interview with The Cut magazine.
Asked about her favorite video game during the chat, she mentioned playing ‘Hogwarts Legacy,’ a game based on the ‘Harry Potter’ universe, and expressed a strong dislike for the original author J.K. Rowling:
“I just recently started getting into video games. This is a new development from the strike, just being home not doing anything. I started playing ‘Hogwarts Legacy.’ F**k J.K. Rowling, but I loved it.”
Mentioning other games, Yu added:
“I started playing ‘Baldur’s Gate,’ the ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ game. I spent months and months finishing that game. I’m on the final boss now but I don’t want to finish it, it’s so good.”
J.K. Rowling’s Part In The Video Game
The ‘Harry Potter’ writer has faced backlash in recent years for her controversial comments on transgender issues. Developed by Avalanche Software and published by Warner Bros. under the Portkey Games label, ‘Hogwarts Legacy’s connection to Rowling has sparked debates, as well.
There’s been concern over the potential financial benefits Rowling could gain from the game, given its setting in the ‘Harry Potter’ world she created. Some fans and members of the LGBTQ+ community have been worried about her profits potentially supporting anti-trans causes, especially since the video game’s official website read:
“This is not a new story from J.K. Rowling, however we have collaborated closely with her team on all aspects of the game to ensure it remains in line with the magical experiences fans expect.”
The Writer’s Comments And The Criticism She Faced
Rowling’s controversy began with her anti-trans posts on social media in 2018. The writer liked some transphobic tweets, including a now-deleted one quoted by the Pink News as follows:
“I’ve been told to be louder, stronger, independent. I’ve often not felt supported. Men in dresses get brocialist solidarity I never had. that’s misogyny!”
As Rowling’s stance on the LGBTQ+ movement remained unchanged, the backlash directed at her continued through the years.
Despite the controversy and some fans calling for a boycott of ‘Harry Potter’ related products, ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ has been a commercial success. The game, set a century before the ‘Harry Potter’ books, has sold millions of copies, bringing significant revenue for Warner Bros.
