This article originally ran under a different banner/website in October of 2019 and is now being here re-uploaded for purposes of convenience and consolidation. Please enjoy.
HEAR YE!!! HEAR YE!!! COME FORTH, MY FOLLOWERS!!! COME FORTH NON-VIDEO GAME FANS!!! FOR MY WARNING TODAY DOES NOT MERELY JUST EXTEND TO VIDEO GAMES!!! I will admit when I, the Video Game Doomsayer, sat down to prepare this ranting, I was unsure how to start. While I know it is common for me to be frothing with fury, I have been frustratingly lost for words over the events of the last week. My heart mirrors Obi-Wan Kenobi as he discovers the dark truth of his student and friend … pained and embittered. I have been playing Blizzard’s games on and off for ten years. Drawn to their characters and their heroics, their games have always been beacons of hope. However, now that light has been snuffed out by Blizzard’s own hands. I do what I must. Today, I will tell you the story of one Hearthstone player and the company that tried to silence him.
Blizzard was certainly caught unaware on October 6, during the Asia-Pacific Hearthstone Grandmasters competition. Blissfully oblivious, they happily congratulated the winner, Chung Ng Wai or Blitzchung as he is known in Hearthstone. The casters of the Hearthstone tournament gave Blitzchung the signal before hiding under their desks. Blitzchung dawned his gasmask before yelling in Mandarin: “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our age.” The stream was quickly cut to a commercial break.
The statement was in regard to the Hong Kong protests that have been raging on since April of 2019. The protest began when the Chinese government attempted to pass a bill that would allow suspected criminals to be extradited to mainland China. Many felt it was signing a death sentence for anyone the Chinese government despised including activists and journalists. Hong Kongers took to the streets and were met by violent backlash from the police. Blitzchung’s use of a gas mask was referencing China’s ban on gas masks after protestors used them to conceal their identity and protect them from the police’s tear gas. The bill has been suspended, but protesters are still fighting to make sure it never returns. In an interview with InvenGlobal, Blitzchung said he was trying to spread awareness for the horrors plaguing Hong Kong:
“As you know there are serious protests in my country now. My call on stream was just another form of participation of the protest that I wish to grab more attention. I put so much effort in that social movement in the past few months, that I sometimes couldn’t focus on preparing my Grandmaster match. I know what my action on stream means. It could cause me a lot of trouble, even my personal safety in real life. But I think it’s my duty to say something about the issue.”
Considering the strife taking place in Hong Kong, Blitzchung should at least be noted for his bravery and courage.
Unlike Blitzchung, Blizzard’s response was cowardly. The following Wednesday, Blizzard announced their swift punishment for Blitzchung. They took away the prize money he had earned, stripped him of his title, and banned him from Hearthstone esports for a full year. The two casters who attempted to distance themselves from the scenario felt Blizzard’s wrath as well. Blizzard backed up their actions by stating the casters and Blitzchung broke the following rule:
“Engaging in any act that, in Blizzard’s sole discretion, brings you into public disrepute, offends a portion or group of the public, or otherwise damages Blizzard image will result in removal from Grandmasters and reduction of the player’s prize total to $0 USD, in addition to other remedies which may be provided for under the Handbook and Blizzard’s Website Terms.”
The flames of the internet began to consume Blizzard. People began canceling their World of Warcraft subscriptions in droves. Many uninstalled the Blizzard launcher. I myself have stopped playing Blizzard’s card game Hearthstone following the Blitzchung ban. Collegiate Hearthstone players from American University held up a sign reading “Free Hong Kong, Boycott Blizzard” during a tournament. They expected to receive a similar punishment as Blitzchung, but none came. They dropped out of the tournament criticizing Blizzard’s hypocritical actions:
“We feel it’s hypocritical for Blizzard to punish Blitzchung but not us. The response from Blizzard shows that as soon as the messaging is out of the view of China they don’t care about ‘political’ messaging.”
Employees within Blizzard have also expressed outrage at the Blitzchung banning. Some employees organized a walkout. They were seen gathered around the massive Orc statue, the iconic symbol of the Irvine, California Blizzard campus. They dawned umbrellas referencing the 2014 pro-democracy Hong Kong movement known as the Umbrella Movement. The same Orc Statue has the company’s core values around the circular base. Two of those core values are “Think Globally” and “Every Voice Matters”. Some staff members covered up these two plaques believing the company no longer represented these two values. An action that I not only agree with but actively applaud.
Hoping to stem the tides of outrage, Blizzard’s president J. Allen Brack, release a statement that Blizzard and parent company Activision has been scrubbing with the PR brush. While punishment for Blitzchung and the casters were cut in half, Brack gave the most disingenuous response I have ever seen:
“Every Voice Matters, and we strongly encourage everyone in our community to share their viewpoints in the many places available to express themselves. However, the official broadcast needs to be about the tournament and to be a place where all are welcome. In support of that, we want to keep the official channels focused on the game […] 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.”
LIES, I SAY!!! LIES AND FABRICATIONS!!! BEGONE WITH THAT DECEITFUL RHETORIC!!! I WILL NOT BE SWAYED SO EASILY BRACK!!! How can you claim your relationship with China has no impact when China owns five percent of your stock. How can you say China has no impact when you are partnered with Chinese gaming company Netease to create Diablo Immortals, the Diablo title specifically designed to target the Chinese mobile market. IS BOBBY KOTICK, ACTIVISION CEO, GOING TO LOOK ME IN THE EYE AND SAY THE DECISION WASN’T IMPACTED BY CHINA WHEN YOU ARE SEEKING CHINESE APPROVAL OF CALL OF DUTY MOBILE? NAY, I SAY, NAY!!! China has and continues to be, a driving force in all of Activision-Blizzard’s decision-making. I will not swallow this lie, Brack.
Activision-Blizzard isn’t the only one bending at the knee to trade morals for money. Riot Games, which is owned by the Chinese company Tencent, has forbidden its esports players, casters, and commentators from discussing the Blitzchung event. Developers Red Candle Games had their game Devotion pulled from digital distribution after it was discovered the game subtly reference the Winnie the Pooh and Chinese president Xi Jinping’s likeness. This issue isn’t solely exclusive to video games tho, China using its wealth to manipulate American companies in the past few months. China has looked to cut ties with Tiffany & Co. after some thought their advertising was referencing the Hong Kong protest. China stopped airing Houston Rocket’s games after Rocket’s general manager tweeted support for the Hong Kong protest. Naturally, South Park can no longer be aired in China after their episode “Band in China” which openly mocked American companies bending the knee to obtain Chinese money.
While disappointing seeing companies take blood-soaked money from China, it is disheartening to see Blizzard cave to China’s pressures. Blizzard has always had well-written and dynamic characters. I remember witnessing the world premiere of the first Overwatch trailer. Along with the sleek character design, what always stuck with me was how the heroes undoubtedly moved to do what they always believed was right. While not exclusive to Overwatch characters, it always seemed to be a hallmark of some of the most popular Blizzard characters. I still remember Tracer telling those kids the world could always use more heroes. Hong Kong needed a hero and Blitzchung took up the mantle. He heroically used his platform to signal to boost a movement I was blissfully unaware of, and what did Blizzard do: struck him down in the name of the almighty dollar. Attempted to bury and silence him. Unfortunately for Blizzard, we live in an age where everyone is watching. Blizzard themselves fanned their own flames.
What’s worse is this move ultimately undermines all their characters who stood for what they believed was right. Would Blizzard rejoin Overwatch after the world outlawed the group? Would Blizzard stand with Tryeal when he defied the outer angels to defend humanity? Would Blizzard join Jim Raynor on his rescue mission to save Sarah Kerrigan while disobeying General Mengsk? Would Blizzard stand with Vol’jin as he stood defiant to Warchief Garrosh Hellscream’s actions? After the events of the past week, I can’t see it happening. Blizzard has traded morals and money, rendering any stand their characters would take moot.
There is a ray of hope in this story. Blitzchung has succeeded in his goals. More people have their eyes on China and their inhumane authoritarian ways. The limelight has made them incredibly uncomfortable and whistleblowers have revealed they are planning on backpedaling on their punishment of the NBA. Like the fight against excessive monetization, we must stay ever vigilant. We must continue making companies that will take Chinese money incredibly uncomfortable. We must continue to shout the injustice of the Chinese government and their corporate dogs from the rooftops. We must continue to remind the soulless dragons at Activision-Blizzard that their end is nigh.
Sources:
Allen, Eric Van. “Collegiate Hearthstone Players Hold Up ‘Free Hong Kong Boycott Blizzard’ Sign During Match [Update].” USgamer.net, USG, 12 Oct. 2019, https://www.usgamer.net/articles/collegiate-hearthstone-players-hold-up-free-hong-kong-boycott-blizzard-sign-during-match.
Bradsher, Keith, and Javier C. Hernández. “China Blows Whistle on Nationalistic Protests Against the N.B.A.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Oct. 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/10/business/china-blows-whistle-on-nationalist-protests-against-the-nba.html.
Dealessandri Thursday, Marie. “Blizzard Employees Organise Walkout Following Hong Kong Controversy.” GamesIndustry.biz, https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-10-blizzard-employees-organise-walkout-following-hong-kong-controversy.
Entertainment, Blizzard. “Regarding Last Weekend’s Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament.” – All News – Blizzard News, https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/blizzard/23185888/regarding-last-weekend-s-hearthstone-grandmasters-tournament.
Feis, Aaron. “NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Backs Daryl Morey’s Right to Free Expression.” New York Post, New York Post, 7 Oct. 2019, https://nypost.com/2019/10/07/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-backs-daryl-moreys-right-to-free-expression/.
“The Hong Kong Protests Explained in 100 and 500 Words.” BBC News, BBC, 19 Sept. 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-49317695.
Jeanne Whalen, Ben Golliver. “China Lashes out at Western Businesses as It Tries to Cut Support for Hong Kong Protests.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 10 Oct. 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/10/08/china-lashes-out-western-businesses-it-tries-cut-support-hong-kong-protests/.
Kelly, Makena. “Riot Warns League of Legends Casters Away from ‘Sensitive Topics’ after Blizzard Hong Kong Controversy.” The Verge, The Verge, 11 Oct. 2019, https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/11/20908325/league-of-legends-riot-games-epic-games-blizzard-hearthstone-hong-kong-protests.
Matthiesen, Tom. “Hearthstone: Hong Kong Player Blitzchung Calls for Liberation of His Country in Post-Game Interview.” Inven Global English, InvenGlobal, 9 Oct. 2019, https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/9242/hong-kong-player-blitzchung-calls-for-liberation-of-his-country-in-post-game-interview.
Tassi, Paul. “Activision Blizzard Seeks Chinese Approval For ‘Call Of Duty Mobile’ As It Breaks Download Records.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 9 Oct. 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2019/10/09/activision-blizzard-seeks-chinese-approval-for-call-of-duty-mobile-as-it-breaks-download-records/#7a6bf6c330b4.