Banned a pro player and 2 casters for saying something in support of Hong Kong (or something along those lines)
Edit: they also withheld the player's prize money, which is about $10k
No matter how a person feels about what is going on in HK right now, there is so much more to this than just “free speech.” The player in question literally called for revolution- now, there are two larger points to examine from Blizzards side besides the idea that they are “pandering” to Chinese money. 1. Revolutions tend to be bloody. Every indication is that a revolution against China certain would be. There is a strong difference between stating ones politics beliefs and calling for an uprising against a recognized government. Politics is relative- if you’re going to allow cries of indirection against China then you must allow them against the US, EU, UN, etc. plenty of people around the world have legitimate complaints against western governments, so while personally I might or might not agree- basing such things on how popular an idea is is dangerous. So let’s be clear: he didn’t voice politics only. He called for revolution.
Secondly- there’s a philosophical question here. Many people felt upset over the “Gillette ad” or similar ads- stating that corporations have no place setting politics or influencing social values. The thing is- Blizzard isn’t a political platform. They aren’t even a content platform like YouTube or Facebook etc. They make games. They provide a platform to play games. It hardly seems fair that we would expect a content platform provider not to have ANY opinions or limits on what users would do with it- ask “backpage” how that turns out. The platform provider can be legally liable, and individuals may feel morally liable in the effects their hosted or featured content has in the real world. Blizzard may not want to be a part of a revolution in HK no matter how they personally feel about it. Like many reading this they may feel strongly but choose not to get involved in a messy and potentially deadly situation where they might feel responsible for stirring the flames.
What’s more- blizzard isn’t a content provider. They provide games and platforms to play said games. They were running a competition. If Miss USA stood up and said the US should nuke Mexico- there’s be controversy. She’d likely lose her crown. A football player kneels at the national anthem and America loses its shit, he loses his job- many say football isn’t the place for that or this or that. Ok- but what if he’d stood up and said the US citizens need to break the laws of the land and revolt, rise up, and overthrow the current leadership? How well do you think that would go over?
But yes- Blizzard is a brand. A company. They may very well not want to be associated with the idea of revolution against sovereign powers. The player used their forum and the attention it provided to speak their views, and in so doing pulled Blizzard into their conflict. How does Blizzard avoid having drama when it hands prize money and a podium as a champion to speak from to someone who called for revolution against the government? Why does Blizzard need to be involved in the HK political situation?
Tl:dr- there are more sides to this than are being shown. But in short- ever tried to be the person in a group with drama who doesn’t have drama? Two people mad at each other, and you can say they both have points but you don’t want to be involved? Ever then have one of them throw you in the middle so that whatever you do- you’ll come out looking like you picked a side? From that perspective the “bad guy” is the one forcing you to get involved when you just want to play video games and make money. Even in America freedom of speech doesn’t cover statements that call to start riots. Believing China is mishandling HK or human rights and calling for revolution aren’t the same thing, and no one should be able to force you to even tacitly seem to support that.
So the player in question is Chung Ng Wai aka Blitz Chung and, iirc, is a resident of Hong Kong.
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He said, in "Chinese" (i assume Mandarin), in a blizzard-sponsored post-match interview: "liberate hong Kong, Revolution of our age."
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The game in question was hearthstone.
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They rescinded at least $10,000 worth of prize money, citing some general comment in their contract about behavior that makes Blizzard look bad (idr the exact wording).
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Chung has stated he fully expected fall out from his statement
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"On Tuesday, American video game company Blizzard suspended professional Hearthstone player Chung “Blitzchung” Ng Wai from competitive play for one year following pro-Hong Kong statements he made during a live stream over the weekend. The suspension also includes forfeiture of his prize earnings to date and the two interviewers to which Chung made the comments have been fired. The video has since been removed."
Sorry. Separate note: I’m sure SOME of those boycotting or speaking out have- but how many of these people up until now have actually done anything truly productive about the situation? Even written letters to officials, protested, donated money etc? It seems like when big companies support politics we don’t agree with we get upset they are involved. When big companies allow platforms for people to speak out against groups we like we get upset. It seems like we want big companies to support the things we support, to allow the things we want to hear, but just censor the ones we deem offensive or dangerous wether it’s “right” or “left” pro or against any given government or politician including our own. So when a company says they don’t want to get involved or be seen as involved and won’t allow their sport to be made political... where do we stand? Is it only ok when it’s politics we support?
If we let players thank a god, speak in support of an administration, speak in support of our government: does that mean we should let players “take a knee,” burn the flag? Speak against our government or administration? What happens to free speech then? Or should we say that what they do and say on their time is their business, but when representing a team or franchise that NO ONE gets to do either? And what of advertising though?
You’ve got people who refuse to buy anything from a company that pays Kaepernick. Then you’ve got those who refuse to buy from anyone who refuses to use Or dropped Kaepernick. Do we take CK’s free speech to express his political beliefs? Do we tell companies that they don’t have a right to choose faces for their brands based on things a person has said or done? Or do we tell consumers that it is illegal for them to choose a brand based on its politics or who it chooses as a mascot? It ties back to things like “Me too” and Bill Cosby. At what point do we draw a line between personal and professional? Cosby raped women, many comedians have made or make rape jokes but haven’t raped anyone. Cosby was clean on film and dirty irl.
Some guys are dirty on film but relatively clean in life. Who do you get to be your brand spokesman- The guy who writes rape jokes and other dark humor for family guy but wasn’t convicted of multiple rapes- or the guy who is “mr wholesome” even STILL to much of America but was raping women the whole time?
It’s all very complex and it’s normal to feel strong emotions in such cases- but somewhere there is a separation between professional behavior and a personal life. The simple question is: Does Blizzard have the right to ask its representatives and champions to not call for revolutions against legally recognized governments? Does Blizzard have the right to tell those who are paid by the company that if they wish to continue that relationship they cannot say or do certain things when being interviewed or otherwise operating as a brand representative in a capacity related to official business? Should the President or Speaker or whoever be allowed to say whatever they want when acting on business for the US government? Or should that station require they operate as an ambassador and protect the interests of the entity they represent from reprisal?
Edit: they also withheld the player's prize money, which is about $10k
.
He said, in "Chinese" (i assume Mandarin), in a blizzard-sponsored post-match interview: "liberate hong Kong, Revolution of our age."
.
The game in question was hearthstone.
.
They rescinded at least $10,000 worth of prize money, citing some general comment in their contract about behavior that makes Blizzard look bad (idr the exact wording).
.
Chung has stated he fully expected fall out from his statement
.
"On Tuesday, American video game company Blizzard suspended professional Hearthstone player Chung “Blitzchung” Ng Wai from competitive play for one year following pro-Hong Kong statements he made during a live stream over the weekend. The suspension also includes forfeiture of his prize earnings to date and the two interviewers to which Chung made the comments have been fired. The video has since been removed."