After banning and confiscating Hearthstone player Blitzchung’s competitive prize earnings following his statement of “Liberate Hong Kong”, Blizzard’s certainly in some hot water with fans.
It was the ban hammer that was heard across the world. Blizzard announced yesterday in an official statement that they would remove professional Hearthstone player Chung “Blitzchung” Ng Wai from the Grand Masters League, rescinding all his prize money from won tournaments and banning in from competitive play following an interview in which the Hong Kong local stated, “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our age!”. The video of the interview has been removed by Blizzard from their official Twitch channel and following on from their final decision the community surrounding Blizzard’s games, both including and excluding Hearthstone players, have had a lot to say about it.
What was perhaps most telling was the locking of Blizzard’s official subreddit. The forum, which was being swamped with posts attacking and challenging Blizzard on their controversial decision, was reportedly set to private by a mod who subsequently left from their position altogether. The subreddit has been reopened with the remaining mods claiming they’re unsure as to why the subreddit was set to private, although just a quick scroll through the assortment of posts adorning the forum leave little question as to why it was closed.
The backlash is being felt on a number of other subreddits associated with Blizzard, with r/hearthstone currently experiencing a mass exodus of sorts as most recent posts discuss how they’re giving up the game for good. A post about the banning of Blitzchung also made its way to the top of r/worldnews and subsequently the top of r/all, a forum dedicated to gathering the most popular and viewed posts from around Reddit. The post was reportedly removed off of r/worldnews due to a “misleading title/wrong subreddit” issue. Critical posts have also flooded r/overwatch, r/diablo and r/starcraft to name a few.
Away from Internet forums, protests have been held in far more public spaces. During the Collegiate Hearthstone championship held yesterday, competing students for American Universities held up a sign saying, “Free Hong Kong, Boycott Blizzard” during the stream. It didn’t stay on air for too long as the stream cut away from them after a few seconds of the sign being displayed. Over at Blizzard’s head offices in Irvine, California, many developers and company members have engaged in silent acts of protests, including covering up plaques that are meant to symbolise Blizzard’s values. A Twitter post by Kevin Hovdestad, a previous employee of Blizzard shows the “Think Globally” and “Every Voice Matters” plaques being covered up with paper.
The situation is honestly a mess as many fans are coming to terms with being disappointed by a company that produced so many beloved products. I have a feeling this whole thing is just getting started with Blizzard not having made any official statements as yet. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as the story unfolds.
Last Updated: October 9, 2019
Pennywise The Dancing Clown
October 9, 2019 at 11:25
I am as pro democracy as the Revenant on my desk.
But here is the question:
Blizzard wants to make money. Getting banned from China would put a bit of a dent in their Income Statement for the year.
So what do they do? Ban the one guy that could cause them some serious ramifications if they don’t?
Of course.
And let’s be honest. How will a gamer boycott affect their bottom line?
I do not see the true WoW addicts get home and plomp in front of the TV and go “Fuck Blizzard. I am watching Madame Secretary for the rest of my life.”
Guz
October 9, 2019 at 11:34
The money they stand to lose from people boycotting their game/s pales in comparison to the Chinese market share they could lose if they get banned….so you can bet your last buck that they don’t give a continental F*&k about banning this guy and/or any protesters from their games.
They will just hide behind their EULA’s and say there is nothing they can do while continuing to suckle on the teat of the Chinese Communist parties infinitely deep pockets
Hammersteyn
October 9, 2019 at 11:41
Money > Human Rights
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 9, 2019 at 11:51
I’m surprised that people are still surprised by that.
Hammersteyn
October 9, 2019 at 11:41
Also, NetEase from China is helping with developing Diablo on mobile for Blizzard LOL.
D4m@E
October 9, 2019 at 11:41
So here’s the problem with something like this. The people who shout “boycott” for NOT letting him air his views are the same people who will shout “boycott” if someone from the opposite side of the coin airs their views. If you let one side speak, then you should let all sides speak. So what exactly would be the right course of action in a situation like this?
Hammersteyn
October 9, 2019 at 12:49
China did nothing wrong?
Pariah
October 9, 2019 at 12:59
That’s a separate thing. The main issue at hand is that people are confusing the two issues. The one issue is a political statement was made on Blizz’s platform, and was against the rules. Blizzard acted accordingly. The other issue is that China is screwing people over (and has been for many decades), and someone used a platform available to them without permission to make a statement on that. Blizzard cannot be held responsible for China’s actions, nor for Blizchung’s actions.
HairyEwok
October 9, 2019 at 13:08
Yup, my guess is, if it was on a different platform, said platform would’ve probably done the same thing, anything said against a government, especially a government as big and powerful as China will be silenced…. Well except CH, the bunch of rebels.
Pariah
October 9, 2019 at 13:08
Yeah that was a Tents situation for the CH (formerly Lagz) crew.
HairyEwok
October 9, 2019 at 12:59
Total anarchy seems like a valid action in this situation, because if china can throw propaganda around the people will keep fighting it.
G8crasha
October 9, 2019 at 11:51
Ya’ll better start learning Mandarin!
HairyEwok
October 9, 2019 at 12:49
Nani? Watashi wa nihongo shika hanasemasen :/
For the Emperor!
October 9, 2019 at 12:09
Perhaps using the word “revolution” could be seen as troublesome or inciting? Still a super dick move to confiscate, ney, STEAL his bloody money! I could possibly buy PR speak around “revolution” for his banning, but nothing justifies this theft!
Pariah
October 9, 2019 at 12:17
He broke the rules, and the rules very clearly state what the repercussions of doing so are – he forfeited the money the minute he made the statement. Not because Blizzard are assholes, but because it’s literally in the rules.
Hammersteyn
October 9, 2019 at 12:49
The rules are vague at best so it can be applied to any situation for Blizzard’s benefit.
Pariah
October 9, 2019 at 12:59
Yeah but the consequences are not vague. No, it’s very explicit. You break the rules, you forfeit your earnings.
Blizzard really have to cover their asses. All companies do. Especially in a world where litigation seems to be the get-rich-quick-scheme of the times. So the more specific their rules are, the more those rules can be exploited for the other party’s benefit.
For the Emperor!
October 10, 2019 at 15:41
I did not take into account the rules would have said “piss us off, lose the moneys”, and he signed up for that willingly. Well then, legal theft then? ?
Magoo マグ
October 9, 2019 at 13:18
It was a consequence, not a reaction.
Jacques Van Zyl
October 9, 2019 at 12:33
I’d like to reiterate my point from yesterday : Both Chung and Blizzard deserve respect for sticking to their beliefs. Chung for his act of protest and Blizzard for following their rules.
If Blizzard did not ban Chung, the next high level player can easily come on stream in support of Trump, or Putin, or the great king of Oranje or what the hell ever. Blizzard should not, and honestly cannot, allow themselves to appear to pick a side in any of this.
It’s purely business, and though I personally don’t agree with their choices, I want Blizzard and the employees there to continue to have jobs making games we as gamers can continue to enjoy.
WhiteRock
October 9, 2019 at 12:33
So this is interesting: “Tencent is the largest video game company. The Chinese media conglomerate owns 5% of Activision Blizzard, Blizzard’s corporate parent.” But also: “Owner: Naspers (31.2%)”
WhiteRock
October 9, 2019 at 12:33
Also: 31% of Hearthstone’s mobile spending came from China in 2018. That accounts for about $51 million, higher than the $31.3 million that Hearthstone made in the U.S. on mobile in 2018
HairyEwok
October 9, 2019 at 12:49
So basically, this has been through and through a financial decision by Blizzard.
WhiteRock
October 9, 2019 at 13:47
Yup – and I can understand why – because the Chinese market is growing faster than the US market with so much more to come…
HairyEwok
October 10, 2019 at 09:13
Yeah, i mean the stats show the US has something like 160 million gamers and China over 650 million gamers.
HvR
October 9, 2019 at 13:18
So in short if you agree with a Blizzard boycott you should also cancel DSTV, burn your decoder and buy a Steve Hoffmeyer CD.
WhiteRock
October 9, 2019 at 13:47
Pretty much!
HairyEwok
October 9, 2019 at 12:49
This will blow over in the end, just like many other corporate bullshit has been silenced and quietly swept under the rug of shame.
Hammersteyn
October 9, 2019 at 15:12
True
RinceThis
October 9, 2019 at 12:59
Good. Keep it up peeps!
HvR
October 9, 2019 at 13:08
So these “incensed employees” I wonder how many of them would stick to their opinion and willingly sacrifice their job and income if Blizzard would take a stand…..
HairyEwok
October 9, 2019 at 13:08
Having “worked at Blizzard” in your resume is a sure way to get another job at most other gaming dev companies. So i would say some will take the chance, but only if they know another job can be acquired after the swift termination.
Pariah
October 9, 2019 at 13:08
That last part is usually the problem tbh. Some people will find a job instantly, others won’t. And often taking a new job in the gaming industry means moving to a new state, or even country. It’s a lot to risk, uprooting your whole life.
HvR
October 9, 2019 at 13:08
Not most, certainly not the big ones since they are all eyeing the Chinese market and quite a lot of them have Epic sized investment or partnership from/with Tencent or other Chinese companies.
At the very least they will have to take massive paycut and massive loss in job security.
Pariah
October 9, 2019 at 13:18
I hadn’t considered that either. Good point.
Pariah
October 9, 2019 at 11:34
I still feel like people are overreacting to this whole thing. Blizzard really is stuck between a rock and a hard place. But if they take a side here (and by allowing these political statements to be made on their platforms/tournaments, that’ll be seen as taking a side), they risk losing ALL of China as customers. Because that’s what China will do – just cut them off. No question, no hesitation. And it’s not that they’re pro-China, it’s just that they’re pro-staying-in-business. And here’s another thing – if they take a side here, or are seen to be taking one, against a major government – they risk being seen as a company that can do that to ANY government around the world. They risk future business. They risk a lot by doing nothing. And let’s be honest here, any company from any industry who takes a side in a political matter risks losing business.
I wish this attention was focused on WHY blizchung and thousands of others are protesting in the first place. Focus on the actual issue – the actual transgressions against democracy, not on a company whose hands are tied. They’re in the same fucking boat as you are.
Original Heretic
October 9, 2019 at 11:51
The biggest problem in the world today (one of them, at least) is that people are very quick to react without thinking anything through, or asking those extremely important and relevant questions.
People are condemned just because one person says they did a bad thing.
Companies are vilified for following the rules that they put in place.
While I am not at all a fan of what Blizzard has done, one cannot just outright say that they were wrong.
Pariah
October 9, 2019 at 12:17
Yeah 100%. Blizzard would be seen as wrong no matter what they did here. Either by people or by governments. And China is not known for letting things slide. If anything, Blizchung is to blame for putting them in this position. Yet while it’s his fault, you can’t condemn him either for standing for something he believes in. He deserves that credit whole-heartedly. He accepted the consequences without issue or malice as well.
xTenDer
October 10, 2019 at 14:55
bliazzard is 100% in the wrong here. the “punishment” was way over the top just to please the hurt chinese feelings… the should have asked the gamer to remove the statement and end it there. no, they went way and beyond what the had to do to kick his a$$ for really no reason.
idk abt you, but blizzard will never see my money again.
Original Heretic
October 10, 2019 at 15:53
After the recent reports on them blocking account cancellations, I’m inclined to also boycott them.
Sageville
October 9, 2019 at 11:59
Cause and effect.
HvR
October 9, 2019 at 14:09
For everybody here that is taking the moral high ground here is small challenge. You make a stand on the moral stand you are preaching. Stop buying and playing games from companies owned or that is in partnership with Tencent. Here is partial list:
All EA games
PUBG
Anything using the Unreal engine
All games from Epic Games and that only be bought on Epic Games
Anything from Blizzard
LOL and everything else from Riot Games
Anything from Ubisoft
All Paradox games
BradeLunner
October 9, 2019 at 14:38
You either die a hero..
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 9, 2019 at 15:13
Or you unlock a new one for only $5.
Gustav Willem Diedericks
October 9, 2019 at 15:13
XD