Following a week of mass outcries from fans and employees alike, Blizzard is reducing Blitzchung’s ban to six months and giving him back his prize money.
In what continues to be the most surprising (yet at the same time unsurprising story) of the month so far, Blizzard has broken its silence on the controversial banning of professional Hearthstone player Chung “Blitzchung” Ng Wai. After days of heated protests and feedback on their decision to ban Blitzchung and strip him of his prize money following his declaration of “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our age” during a post-match interview, Blizzard has reduced most of Blitzchung’s punishments.
In an official statement posted on Friday the 11th of October, Blizzard president J. Allen Brack announced that Blizzard would be giving Blitzchung his prize money and reducing his ban from a year to six months. The two casters involved in the interview, who actively attempted to cover their faces during Blitzchung’s declaration, have also been banned for sixth months instead of being fired outright.
Many have cited that Blizzard’s harsh punishment for both Blitzchung and the casters involved was a way of appeasing the Chinese government who hold a great deal of influence over a very large market for Blizzard. Brack addresses this in the official statement, saying:
“Part of Thinking Globally, Leading Responsibly, and Every Voice Matters is recognizing that we have players and fans in almost every country in the world. Our goal is to help players connect in areas of commonality, like their passion for our games, and create a sense of shared community.
The specific views expressed by blitzchung were NOT a factor in the decision we made. I want to be clear: our relationships in China had no influence on our decision.
We have these rules to keep the focus on the game and on the tournament to the benefit of a global audience, and that was the only consideration in the actions we took.
If this had been the opposing viewpoint delivered in the same divisive and deliberate way, we would have felt and acted the same.”
Despite this statement, many have already cited the official message posted by Blizzard’s official Hearthstone page over on Weibo, which is essentially a Chinese-exclusive equivalent to Twitter with elements of Facebook stirred in. Following the events that transpired, the official Hearthstone Weibo page posted a statement which, when translated into English, read:
“We express our strong indignation [or resentment] and condemnation of the events that occurred in the Hearthstone Asia Pacific competition last weekend and absolutely oppose the dissemination of personal political ideas during any events [or games]. The players involved will be banned, and the commentators involved will be immediately terminated from any official business. Also, we will protect [or safeguard] our national dignity [or honour]”.”
The existence of said a post has caused a lot of uncertainty regarding Blizzard’s official statement, as many have called it shallow and weak. The rescinding of the original punishment’s severity comes a little too late however, as many professional Hearthstone streamers, casters and players have resigned from future commitments with Blizzard, including notable card gaming expert Brian Kibler stepping away from his position as a caster for Hearthstone’s Grand Master finals at Blizzcon, which starts on November 1st. Reports around this incident indicate that protests are being organised to take place around Blizzcon, with non-profit organisation Fight For The Future leading the charge on the campaign which is being called “Gamers For Freedom”.
Despite Blizzard going back on their punishments, it seems the company is still well in the thick of it. Whether the “umbrella protests” around Blizzcon come to fruition has yet to be determined, but I do feel comfortable saying that this year’s Blizzcon is going to a real weird one. The full statement released by Blizzard can be read here.
Last Updated: October 14, 2019
SagatatiaRZA
October 14, 2019 at 11:29
Fuck the Chinese government and communist Pooh.
konfab
October 14, 2019 at 11:36
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/32e9ee581d3123ec394ea9a325ac2329774f0c94063255c39107c708e77d00d8.jpg
Dresden
October 14, 2019 at 21:11
“China will grow larger.”
HvR
October 14, 2019 at 16:37
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35427926
Pennywise The Dancing Clown
October 14, 2019 at 11:44
So in short: What Blizzard is saying: Keep politics out of our games?
HvR
October 14, 2019 at 16:37
Well depends, whether you in China or not.
For the Emperor!
October 14, 2019 at 11:52
I saw that some collegiate team also showed a poster about Hong Kong, but were not banned. Is this true? Why were they not banned then? Because they are American?
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 14, 2019 at 12:18
None of that explains why you initially banned him (and the two casters) for a year and withheld his prize money for what you’re saying is simply a minor verbal infraction. Seems rather heavy-handed, no?
Darren Peach
October 14, 2019 at 12:19
Those two kids who held up that free Hong Kong Banner in the College league went unpunished. Why, That was inside the US borders. They were even offered another match. One could only image the sh*storm had Blizzard done this to one of it’s own citizens. Blizzard are treating people differently based on their geographic region. Very telling.
Having said all that, All this push back from people saying the moral outrage is pathetic is rather distasteful. That translated statement from Blizzard was actually insane, they were towing the party line. Acting like a card carrying member of the Chinese communist party.
Yeah, the only reason Blizzard changed their mind was because of the outrage. I will never forget this. Never. It will cloud my every thought on Blizzard from here on forward.
Pariah
October 14, 2019 at 11:29
Heh I read this on Discord this morning:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2d4ddd9d6e82661778328409f211d780fd863480e01ca9d468def6f28ccc3e2f.jpg
Admiral Chief
October 14, 2019 at 12:02
BWAHAHAHA
Hammersteyn
October 14, 2019 at 11:44
https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/w830/public/field/image/2019/10/blizzard-china.jpg?itok=GHWyZLaD
Original Heretic
October 14, 2019 at 11:52
I, for one, doubt that I’ll be supportive of any future Blizzard endeavours.
Unless they release a Blackthorne sequel.
Craig "Crios" Boonzaier
October 14, 2019 at 12:26
Well shit, you just had to say something to peak my interest
Admiral Chief
October 14, 2019 at 12:26
NOW THIS ISN’T FAIR
YOU WANT ME TO MEASURE MY MORALS AGAINST MY NOSTALGIA????
HairyEwok
October 14, 2019 at 11:52
People going on saying they’ve disabled their accounts and won’t support Blizzard anymore… They’ve received your money already, you closing your account isn’t hurting them, it’s helping them. Now their servers are under less load so in turn makes it easier to maintain. Wan’t to hurt them, keep your account but leave it inactive. Log in and out numerous times.
Also, still nothing of an official statement on the commentators?
Kromas
October 14, 2019 at 12:01
Canceling subs does hurt them though. But yeah don’t delete your account.
HairyEwok
October 14, 2019 at 12:02
Yeah, cancelling your sub definitely will hurt them, but i think the WoW people won’t really be bothered by this because it isn’t touching their platform, people tend to go – not my platform, not my problem. It’s sad though, the majority of humans never act on something until it actually affects them at some level.
Speaking of which, how many Chinese folk play WoW, that would be a nice number to look at.
Edit: I’ve checked, just over half of their total subscription base.
For the Emperor!
October 14, 2019 at 12:01
Yeah, disabling after the fact does nothing. Except those on WoW – but that also does little. And how many “outraged” people will be the first to grab the Warcraft Remake?
Pariah
October 14, 2019 at 12:02
PEOPLE ARE FICKLE. I BET MANY OF THOSE WHO’RE MAKING SUCH A FUSS WILL FORGET ABOUT THIS WHOLE BRU-HA WHEN THE DUST HAS SETTLED AND THERE’S SOMETHING NEW TO BE OUTRAGED ABOUT.
WHAT A WEIRD WORLD WE LIVE IN.
For the Emperor!
October 14, 2019 at 12:18
I almost forgot until I saw a video by Laymen about it. And then this again.
Admiral Chief
October 14, 2019 at 12:10
INDEED
For the Emperor!
October 14, 2019 at 12:18
I always read that in a Teal’C voice…
Pariah
October 14, 2019 at 12:18
THAT’S ACTUALLY KINDA EPIC. XD
For the Emperor!
October 14, 2019 at 12:18
Caps Lock stuck? Been watching some “nature” movies again? ?
Admiral Chief
October 14, 2019 at 12:18
YOU DIDN’T GET THE MEMO?
For the Emperor!
October 14, 2019 at 12:19
no. i am not on the “needs to compensate for something” chat groups ?
Pariah
October 14, 2019 at 12:19
WE SPOKE ABOUT IT HERE. IN THE COMMENTS. SO YEAH, YOU ACTUALLY ARE. 😛
For the Emperor!
October 14, 2019 at 12:19
clearly i did not read those comments. ch is blocked at the office so i need to use my phone!
Admiral Chief
October 14, 2019 at 12:26
DEDICATION!
Admiral Chief
October 14, 2019 at 12:19
SHIT, THAT SOUNDS EPIC, HOW CAN I JOIN THAT CHAT GROUP?
Pariah
October 14, 2019 at 14:32
JUST OWN A FERRARI. OR BMW. OR DRIVE LIKE YOU DO.
Admiral Chief
October 14, 2019 at 14:32
I DON’T OWN THOSE, BUT I DRIVE LIKE A MANIAC ON MY BIKE. DOES THAT COUNT?
Pariah
October 14, 2019 at 14:33
I’LL ALLOW IT.
Pariah
October 14, 2019 at 12:18
IT’S CAPSLOCK DAY.
Admiral Chief
October 14, 2019 at 12:18
ACM
ALL CAPS MONDAY
Pariah
October 14, 2019 at 12:19
SHIT NOW YOU WANT THIS TO BE A REGULAR THING? YOU THINK THESE PLEBS CAN HANDLE IT?
Admiral Chief
October 14, 2019 at 12:18
AS YOU SHOULD, BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT IS INTENDED DANIEL JACKSON
For the Emperor!
October 14, 2019 at 12:18
How the F do you know my first name is Daniel? https://media1.giphy.com/media/zGocAShHAOB7G/giphy.gif
Admiral Chief
October 14, 2019 at 12:19
AS PER MY BIO, I HAVE APPROXIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF MANY THINGS