The moment they banned Blitzchung was the moment they made a political decision. Maybe you should ask this to actblizz, not us.What would you like blizzard to do? Condemn China and support Hong Kong? You realize the US administration has not even done this. Why would it be the responsibility of a private company to get involved in politics. Lots of game companies have done shitty things in the past. Don't like it? Don't buy their game. I personally don't feel they did something horrible enough to not buy their games for the rest of my life. But hey, if you want to vote with your wallet go ahead. However, if you really want to make a difference. Contact your senator and congressman and tel them you want them to support Hong Kong. Probably a better use of your time and energy.
The casters were Taiwanese so it wouldn't surprise me if the Chinese government wanted to stick it to them.After all these apologies though, it seems absolutely absurd for them to still have a ban in place against the two people who were interviewing Blitzchung and had no idea what he was going to say. I have no idea what their justification for that would be -- I doubt even the Chinese government would really care if they continued to do their job.
This just reminds me the next time Blizzard does something for a marginalized group, it will ring hollow, as it's clear they don't give a damn about human rights.
What would you like blizzard to do? Condemn China and support Hong Kong?
Why would it be the responsibility of a private company to get involved in politics.
Lots of game companies have done shitty things in the past. Don't like it? Don't buy their game. I personally don't feel they did something horrible enough to not buy their games for the rest of my life. But hey, if you want to vote with your wallet go ahead. However, if you really want to make a difference. Contact your senator and congressman and tel them you want them to support Hong Kong. Probably a better use of your time and energy.
Then they should say Fuck the Chinese government.Why do people always defend China by calling out the people?
When people say fuck China they mean the government that is committing genocide and ethnic cleansing, and their supporters/defenders.
China deserves to be called out for all the evil they commit.
Except people do say fuck the US or Russia all the time?Then they should say Fuck the Chinese government.
If people say Fuck America you don't think people are going to be defensive thinking people have something against the country and not just the government?
I think there has to be some kind of disincentive for people not to co-opt a postgame interview with their own personal message, so I am not entirely against the idea of some kind of punitive action against Blitzchung (preferably something less harsh than a complete ban though).
After all these apologies though, it seems absolutely absurd for them to still have a ban in place against the two people who were interviewing Blitzchung and had no idea what he was going to say. I have no idea what their justification for that would be -- I doubt even the Chinese government would really care if they continued to do their job.
People say Fuck America all the time.Then they should say Fuck the Chinese government.
If people say Fuck America you don't think people are going to be defensive thinking people have something against the country and not just the government?
Except people do say fuck the US or Russia all the time?
I don't see why China should get better treatment.
If I want to criticize the people, I will say Fuck Americans. The country is directed toward the government (which in some cases implies the people if it was rightfully elected)Then they should say Fuck the Chinese government.
If people say Fuck America you don't think people are going to be defensive thinking people have something against the country and not just the government?
Do better how? Do better about what? Show me what they say they're sorry about. Are they sorry about banning? Because they never apologized for that - Blitzchung is still banned, and that suggests he still did "something wrong" according to them.nothing will ever be good enough for you people. He said he was sorry and that they would learn from this and do better. Thats decent in my book.
nothing will ever be good enough for you people. He said he was sorry and that they would learn from this and do better. Thats decent in my book.
While it is fair to have fear that this will affect asians in the west and different places in the world, I don't think we should forget about China with all the atrocities their are doing as of this minute. They have a lot of defenders and now we even have western companies defending them even though they shouldn't be defended.Might have something to do with the history of racism experienced by Chinese and other Asians from the west.
Some kind of fear perhaps
Do better how? Do better about what? Show me what they say they're sorry about. Are they sorry about banning? Because they never apologized for that - Blitzchung is still banned, and that suggests he still did "something wrong" according to them.
Not in mah vidya games!First intelligent post I see in this thread honestly. While I do not condone what is going on wit Hong Kong as it is a really shitty situation, games and gaming convention / esports are not the place to talk about it. There are several other more meaningful channels to use to protest the situation and make yourself heard. If people want to manifest fine, make your voices heard. Keep videogames conventions where people are trying to have a fun time out of it honestly. I'd say the same thing about standard sports events, and it's the same reason why people felt uncomfortable when I'd go to U2 shows and Bono had to make a scene about trying to save the world.
There are times and places to talk about this kind of stuff, but Blizzcon isn't one of those places.
Then they should say Fuck the Chinese government.
If people say Fuck America you don't think people are going to be defensive thinking people have something against the country and not just the government?
As far as I know, this is the rule Blizzard sighted when they banned blitzchung:honestly if the rules were to keep the conversation on gaming and the tournament than he broke the rules. plain and simple. Now, if there were no rules specifying this then you may have something.
I was angry at first, I really was. But then I realized that there are rules for a reason.
2019 HEARTHSTONE® GRANDMASTERS OFFICIAL COMPETITION RULES v1.4 p.12, Section 6.1 (o)
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.
Just rescind Blitzchung's ban. It's that simple.What would you like blizzard to do? Condemn China and support Hong Kong? You realize the US administration has not even done this. Why would it be the responsibility of a private company to get involved in politics. Lots of game companies have done shitty things in the past. Don't like it? Don't buy their game. I personally don't feel they did something horrible enough to not buy their games for the rest of my life. But hey, if you want to vote with your wallet go ahead. However, if you really want to make a difference. Contact your senator and congressman and tel them you want them to support Hong Kong. Probably a better use of your time and energy.
What about the two casters that also got banned ?honestly if the rules were to keep the conversation on gaming and the tournament than he broke the rules. plain and simple. Now, if there were no rules specifying this then you may have something.
I was angry at first, I really was. But then I realized that there are rules for a reason.
They did go too far however, and they apologized for that and said they would strive to do better.
As far as I know, this is the rule Blizzard sighted when they banned blitzchung:
It doesn't say anything about "keeping the conversation on gaming and the tournament", it's just an intentionally vague rule that exists so they can arbitrarily ban people who say or do things Blizzard doesn't approve of.
The Chinese government are villains.You guys reallyyyyy want to see Chinese people portrayed as villians huh?
There's something deeply depressing of a person with a B.J avatar saying punitie action against someone voicing support for human rights is okay cause"the rules are the rules".
I am Chinese, and I have not once confused myself and got offended when people say "Fuck China", I understand fully that they are talking about the abhorrent(understatement, but I don't know a better word) things my government has done and is doing. Don't confuse the rest of us with the pathetic crybabies defending Eternal Emperor Xi's honour at every turn, not all of us are fragile morons confusing our own identity with the party's.Then they should say Fuck the Chinese government.
If people say Fuck America you don't think people are going to be defensive thinking people have something against the country and not just the government?
That just shows that their rules were vaguely defined and interpreted however they wanted. How is that fair for anyone but Blizzard?That I have no idea about. They have yet to explain that. However they were reinstated.
Still banned for 6 months, but nice try.That I have no idea about. They have yet to explain that. However they were reinstated.
Lol. So essentially you are saying "The law might be unjust, but its the law so no use criticizing it."Then those are the rules. Honestly that's what it comes down too. You may not like it but those were the rules.
You're little too preoccupied with rules, lol. You were defending a non-existent rule about keeping the conversation about the game, and then once I posted the actual (completely different) rule you immediately seized onto that one as completely justified. Rules =/= morality, they're just words, and you don't gain anything by evangelizing the concept of rules - especially when it's a rule that basically just says "We can ban you whenever we feel like it for no reason".Then those are the rules. Honestly that's what it comes down too. You may not like it but those were the rules.
How about when the American University team did the same thing and didn't get banned until nine days later, after everyone pointed out Blizzard's hypocrisy and American University themselves already dropped out of the Collegiate Championship in protest?if someone else does something not related to hong kong and blizz responds the same way then thats just the way it is. HOWEVER. if they dont respond the same way then yeah it was all about china to begin with.
if someone else does something not related to hong kong and blizz responds the same way then thats just the way it is. HOWEVER. if they dont respond the same way then yeah it was all about china to begin with.
Are you saying they've exhausted their goodwill "positive chits" the ESA was talking about?The casters were Taiwanese so it wouldn't surprise me if the Chinese government wanted to stick it to them.
This just reminds me the next time Blizzard does something for a marginalized group, it will ring hollow, as it's clear they don't give a damn about human rights.
They were not. They're still banned. Even if you want to weirdly justify Blitzchung's ban (and you really shouldn't), there is absolutely 0 justification for their bans. Minimum Blizzard could do is reverse that action. But they didn't do that. They can't even bring themselves to mention Hong Kong or the incident in any way in their "apology" -- that is why it's completely empty and meaningless.That I have no idea about. They have yet to explain that. However they were reinstated.
To the people who say the employees are working their to feed their family:
That's fucking bullshit. If you work at Blizzard, you can get an equally paying (or better) job in the tech industry without trying. The fact that people are using this as an excuse is absolute nonsense. Once you get big company clout, you will be pinged by every other big company who will offer you what you desire. You CAN pick which companies you chose to work for. You are already the 1%. You get no pity. Do better.