What Game Critic Stacey Henley Said About J.K. Rowling That Led to Apology
BBC has apologized after a game critic called for a boycott of the upcoming Harry Potter game Hogwarts Legacy.During a BBC Radio 4 PM program, gamers were invited to review and discuss the upcoming game with host Evan Davis.
However, one of the guests is refusing to review the game over the its links to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Rowling has become a controversial figure in recent years after being accused of multiple instances of transphobia.The links between Rowling and Hogwarts Legacy have sparked a call for a boycott of the game to stop her profiting from sales.
Despite the negative reactions from some, the boycott appears to have failed as the game remains a popular purchase.Game reviewer and editor-in-chief of the website The Gamer, Stacey Henley, is the guest who prompted the BBC to apologize.
Responding to Newsweek's request for a comment, she said she's "disappointed" in the BBC and host Davis that they told her "the interview would be on boycotting the game itself, not a debate about Rowling's beliefs." However, she was later accused of not expanding on her points about Rowling, after attempting to limit her comments.Speaking to host Davis on the February 2 show, Henley explained that her website wouldn't be covering the game because of its ties to Rowling. "She has a platform that she uses to push transphobia, uses it to build up what I would call a campaign against trans people, especially in Britain."She continued, "I think moving forward you're not being asked to give up all those childhood memories.
