The group of disgruntled employees held their protest in the centre of Blizzard’s main campus plaza, clearly visible by the company’s executive officers.
I doubt anyone woke up at the beginning of this week expecting Hearthstone to be at the centre of an international incident, but I guess that reality is oftentimes stranger than we want to think it is. Following on from the events of the past two days that saw Blizzard banning professional Hearthstone player Chung “Blitzchung” Ng Wai, as well as rescinding his prize money and removing him from the Grand Master’s League, due to his declaration of “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our age” during a post-match interview. The actions taken by Blizzard have resulted in a massive backlash from fans as players have begun boycotting Blizzard’s products and speaking out against the company’s appeasement of the Chinese government.
We reported yesterday that Blizzard employees were beginning to implement silent forms of protest across Blizzard’s Irvine, California campus with works covering up plaques that represented Blizzard’s values as a company; the plaques in question read “Every Voice Matters” and “Think Globally”. What started out as silent, anonymous acts of protest have now graduated into more visible and active action against Blizzard and those in charge. A report by the Daily Beast has indicated that a group of Blizzard employees have held a walkout to protest the banning of Blitzchung.
The group of about 30 workers, with protests filtering in and out all day, stood around the main statue of an Orc warrior that decorates Blizzard’s main plaza. Protesters held up umbrellas, which have been adopted as a symbol for “Free Hong Kong” protests that are currently ongoing. A petition regarding Blizzard’s decision has reportedly also been making the rounds at the company’s HQ; the petition will be presented to the company’s executives although there’s been no mention what the petition specifically contained.
(Image credit: Standingwhk (Reddit)
“The action Blizzard took against the player was pretty appalling but not surprising,” a long-time Blizzard employee told The Daily Beast during an interview. “Blizzard makes a lot of money in China, but now the company is in this awkward position where we can’t abide by our values.” Another employee echoed those sentiments, stating, “We want people all over the world to play our games, but no action like this can be made with political neutrality.” Another stated, “Doing business in China, it’s been easier to ignore the authoritarianism of the government because they were asking us to do things like remove a skeleton [from a game]. The stakes are so much higher now. What was previously an obvious decision is much less obvious now.”
Outrage can still be felt across a range of forums dedicated to Blizzard’s products. Disgruntled fans have taken to adopting the image of Mei, a character of Chinese nationality in Overwatch, as a mascot for the “Free Hong Kong” protests, with the intention of having the game banned in China. Whether they succeed on this front is yet to be determined, but it’s a bold attempt nonetheless.
Last Updated: October 10, 2019
HairyEwok
October 10, 2019 at 12:03
Honest opinion, I get why the pro player was banned, but why were the commentators fired. Did they choose to air his post match interview, did they have the power to shut down the stream immediately when they saw what was going on, were they in on it from the start?
Admiral Chief
October 10, 2019 at 12:03
Good question
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 10, 2019 at 12:12
That’s what says to me there’s a bit more to it than it simply being a case of someone breaking the rules.
HairyEwok
October 10, 2019 at 12:12
No seriously, everybody is up in arms with the pro’s ban, he will be able to compete again in a years time, but his actions costed 2 individuals their jobs (Doubt they will get jobs again in the specific field due to supreme China). How about we make some noise for those 2 commentators.
HairyEwok
October 10, 2019 at 12:12
No seriously, everybody is up in arms with the pro’s ban, he will be able to compete again in a years time, but his actions costed 2 individuals their jobs (Doubt they will get jobs again in the specific field due to supreme China). How about we make some noise for those 2 commentators.
Dresden
October 10, 2019 at 12:20
People are making noise for them as far as I know, just not as much.
Yozzie
October 10, 2019 at 12:20
They applauded him after he made the statement.
HairyEwok
October 10, 2019 at 12:29
They applauded to commemorate the end of the tournament and stream, one of the commentators, Virtual didn’t even know what was going on, he was told they were going to interview the winner quickly with his quick message and thats it, streams done.
Hammersteyn
October 10, 2019 at 12:36
Because China told them to.
HairyEwok
October 10, 2019 at 12:36
This is why Blizzard has given an official statement to why the pro was banned but not why the commentators were fired.
Marek Nourse
October 10, 2019 at 12:12
2018: Do you guys not have phones?
2019: Do you guys not have human rights?
Admiral Chief
October 10, 2019 at 12:20
HAH
Son of Banana Jim
October 10, 2019 at 14:03
100%
G8crasha
October 10, 2019 at 12:29
I’m sorry to say this, but generally, Money holds more power than Ethics/Morals/Human Decency/Freedom/etc. People will make a noise, Blizzard will react, they will make a plan, but that plan may not be what everyone wants. They can replace those employees, but they will battle to replace the potential loss of income and funding should they piss off their Chinese Overlords! I personally can’t even see the possibility of the more western playerbase reacting decisively. The pessimist in me is telling me moral/ethics/a belief in what is right does not carry any weight in the world anymore. Western players might speak out, but they will still play their favourite Blizzard game, and by extension, support the same company they are supposedly opposing publicly.
Hammersteyn
October 10, 2019 at 12:29
Also why the environment, animals, climate and even humans are suffering. Money.
G8crasha
October 10, 2019 at 12:29
Quite true!
Admiral Chief
October 10, 2019 at 12:36
Wise words
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 10, 2019 at 12:55
Thanos and Joker were right.
HairyEwok
October 10, 2019 at 12:37
As they say, were expendable no matter how good you are in your job. There will always be somebody in the grinding line to take your position over in an instant. Money talks, morals walk.
Dresden
October 10, 2019 at 12:55
So what you’re saying is that talking the talk is actually more important than walking the walk?
HairyEwok
October 10, 2019 at 13:06
https://media.tenor.com/images/7bf4ab46200142b0a61a767f517b7156/tenor.gif
Yozzie
October 10, 2019 at 11:53
With Diablo Immortal being made by a Chinese team and the roaring success of COD mobile from Tencent Games. You can clearly see money > democracy.
Admiral Chief
October 10, 2019 at 11:53
https://media1.giphy.com/media/vwtOueYhVgkjC/giphy-downsized-medium.gif
HairyEwok
October 10, 2019 at 12:03
Whoopsie daisy.
Admiral Chief
October 10, 2019 at 12:03
In mother Blyatsia, vodka swings with you
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 10, 2019 at 12:12
But money isn’t one of their corporate values, I checked.
Blizzard Entertainment lists its eight core values on their mission statement page: Gameplay first. Commit to quality. Play nice; play fair. Embrace your inner geek. Every voice matters. Think globally. Lead responsibly. Learn and grow.
This is all so confusing.
Admiral Chief
October 10, 2019 at 12:12
Wait, you mean, they are lying to us?
https://media3.giphy.com/media/3orieYAAMfuYY1aEFO/giphy.gif
HairyEwok
October 10, 2019 at 12:12
Well hopefully Blizzard will definitely adhere to one of their core values… Learn and grow.
Dresden
October 10, 2019 at 12:55
Don’t support communism!
Cyberpunk 2077 is coming.
Tbone187
October 11, 2019 at 11:42
It’s the one thing I agree with Trump on. China needs to be brought down back to earth a bit. The world needs to stop the pandering and grow a pair.