It's very likely they aren't sure how to approach this yet. This is far from a simple issue from their standpoint as they are heavily invested in China and likely afraid of China blowing up their decade plus efforts to break into that market.I really thought they would have addressed this internally by now, wtf.
I really thought they would have addressed this internally by now, wtf.
What an absolute failure of leadership. I can't believe they managed to outdo THQ this year
Yeah, some quotes from the end of that article sum it up the whole situation pretty well:It's very likely they aren't sure how to approach this yet. This is far from a simple issue from their standpoint as they are heavily invested in China and likely afraid of China blowing up their decade plus efforts to break into that market.
Everyone loses either way, Blizzard got the unenviable position of having the spotlight thrust on them for something that's affecting the whole market. There's no way they can spin this positively, and there's no way the higher ups and legal team will let anyone walk it back at the risk of irritating China and losing cash flow."We're damned if we don't take a stand—we'll have lost a lot of support from fans outside of China. We're damned if we do—you can't keep the lights on when we lose income from China and others more hungry swoop in to take our place," the employee said. "Even if I did leave, where would I go that's not beholden to access or income from China today or tomorrow?"
The whole Vice interview is very informative I recommend reading it all.
I particularly found the fact that prospective employees with offers are pulling out of working for them to be a good sign that pressure is hitting them from even less publicly visible directions.
"We're damned if we don't take a stand—we'll have lost a lot of support from fans outside of China. We're damned if we do—you can't keep the lights on when we lose income from China and others more hungry swoop in to take our place," the employee said. "Even if I did leave, where would I go that's not beholden to access or income from China today or tomorrow?"
There is no good answer to give. Even lots of fans understand that by now. If they can somehow have the situation under control in Blizcon, this may just be it. Damages are done, to every party involved.
"Oh, new shinnies", players, probably, in three weeks, Blizzard hopes.
If "Out of season April Fools joke" was them being nice... whew I'm excitedImagine Blizzard staff going to BlizzCon with zero direction from leadership on how to address any and all questions and protests.
At this rate, they're marching into a slaughterhouse.
They can't "keep the light on" regardless of whether they get money from China because blizzard is likely to lay off tons of employees even after record profits.I concur (from extensive personal experience in entertainment communications/PR) that this is a wildly sensitive and complicated subject to address with all audiences. But one of the number one roles in comms (internal/employee-focused, or external/PR) is that you try and get ahead of the story before it's written for you.
That they haven't said anything is really troubling...
From the Vice interview:
Brutal to read. I sympathize a ton with all the employees there whose work I've loved for decades.
If the bootlickers at Blizzard make a statment, it will be similar to the statement just made by fellow bootlickers at lolesports/riot:
https://twitter.com/lolesports/status/1182711322791698432/photo/1
I don't think anyone's saying Blizzard is in a tight spot morally, there's an obvious correct answer for what to do.They can't "keep the light on" regardless of whether they get money from China because blizzard is likely to lay off tons of employees even after record profits.
Why are we painting this like Blizzard is actually in a tough spot? Don't fucking take money from oppressive regimes. Jesus Christ.
They can't "keep the light on" regardless of whether they get money from China because blizzard is likely to lay off tons of employees even after record profits.
Why are we painting this like Blizzard is actually in a tough spot? Don't fucking take money from oppressive regimes. Jesus Christ.
Such defeatist attitudes.These kinds of takes really make me convinced nothing is going to happen, no change is going to be made and Blizzard will keep doing business as usual when they decide to drop all kinds of nice blingies as a distraction during Blizzcon. Though I don't know what I was hoping for to begin with.
Worst part is that most if not all the comments agree that Tali did a "reasonable and not driven by emotion" response and that he did the proper research before ranting.Sigh. That was a mixed bag. Most of it is justifications for the ban and whataboutism. He says he disagrees and supports Hong Kong but that is the smallest part of the video.
Worst part is that most if not all the comments agree that Tali did a "reasonable and not driven by emotion" response and that he did the proper research before ranting.
It's depressing seeing the people who should be doing something wave it away.
Yeah, some quotes from the end of that article sum it up the whole situation pretty well:
Everyone loses either way, Blizzard got the unenviable position of having the spotlight thrust on them for something that's affecting the whole market. There's no way they can spin this positively, and there's no way the higher ups and legal team will let anyone walk it back at the risk of irritating China and losing cash flow.
I concur (from extensive personal experience in entertainment communications/PR) that this is a wildly sensitive and complicated subject to address with all audiences. But one of the number one roles in comms (internal/employee-focused, or external/PR) is that you try and get ahead of the story before it's written for you.
That they haven't said anything is really troubling...
From the Vice interview:
Brutal to read. I sympathize a ton with all the employees there whose work I've loved for decades.
Also, the Vice article indicates a video was coming from Brack for employees, although it's been delayed. And they posted *something* for employees, at least, even if it was a low-effort "I'm listening" notice. It's kind of terrible, but better than outright silence.
Apparently they don't need to, they've got youtubers doing it for free!
Apparently they don't need to, they've got youtubers doing it for free!
"Keep the lights on?"
What are they some shoe-string budget mom and pop store? Last I checked Activision-Blizzard was a BILLION dollar company. What the entire company is going to go under without access to the Chinese market? A move that would also hurt Chinese business/companies invested in the industry?
GTFO with that "poor ol' us" logic. Not being able to make even more billions due to restricted access to China is not a justification for supporting an oppressive regime and doing their work for them.
I think what they meant is if they were to say piss off China as a response and be barred from doing business in China as a result, it would cause a significant impact to their business which would in turn likely lead to a significant restructuring/layoffs among other things. It just is what it is. There's no option to be in for them that doesn't have a significant effect on their business. So, we'll see how they go about it. It being a successful company overall doesn't mean they can willingly just cut off an arm on a whim. Likely why they haven't said a thing yet."Keep the lights on?"
What are they some shoe-string budget mom and pop store? Last I checked Activision-Blizzard was a BILLION dollar company. What the entire company is going to go under without access to the Chinese market? A move that would also hurt Chinese business/companies invested in the industry?
GTFO with that "poor ol' us" logic. Not being able to make even more billions due to restricted access to China is not a justification for supporting an oppressive regime and doing their work for them.
Reading all the subreddits for Blizzard games gives me hope that there is a lot of people who won't let it die down. Shills like Taliesin seem to be the minority here.
Going by the comments on that post, the Blizzard situation seems to escalate to other, similar companies. Which is very good.If the bootlickers at Blizzard make a statment, it will be similar to the statement just made by fellow bootlickers at lolesports/riot:
https://twitter.com/lolesports/status/1182711322791698432/photo/1
To be clear, I'm not defending anything about this. They've got the money to survive, they easily could. I already said there's a clear, morally unambiguous choice here. But they're a public company and those investors demand growth, so if they're not going to suckle at the teat of China, the executives would sooner gut more of the operation than face a loss. The company wouldn't go under, but they absolutely would start hacking away at it just to keep the bottom line steady."Keep the lights on?"
What are they some shoe-string budget mom and pop store? Last I checked Activision-Blizzard was a BILLION dollar company. What the entire company is going to go under without access to the Chinese market? A move that would also hurt Chinese business/companies invested in the industry?
GTFO with that "poor ol' us" logic. Not being able to make even more billions due to restricted access to China is not a justification for supporting an oppressive regime and doing their work for them.
I'm hoping people keep it alive just to troll and shit on blizzard if nothing else.Reading all the subreddits for Blizzard games gives me hope that there is a lot of people who won't let it die down. Shills like Taliesin seem to be the minority here.
Yeah, some quotes from the end of that article sum it up the whole situation pretty well:
Everyone loses either way, Blizzard got the unenviable position of having the spotlight thrust on them for something that's affecting the whole market. There's no way they can spin this positively, and there's no way the higher ups and legal team will let anyone walk it back at the risk of irritating China and losing cash flow.
There's not much to talk about until they say something.Given that the last post here was 37 minutes ago, I wonder now if not saying anything was actually the correct move.
And I am now even sadder.
Because theyre just not going to take questions and or ensure the mic gets cut off anytime someone starts a question about this. I fully believe that no protest is going to be visible at blizcon this year so they can stay quiet and hope it blows over with diablo 4 and OW2 announcements.Imagine Blizzard staff going to BlizzCon with zero direction from leadership on how to address any and all questions and protests.
At this rate, they're marching into a slaughterhouse.
True.
Its crazy to me that despite last year being a circus this year is somehow gonna be worse.
yes, i didn't think THQ could be overtaken.........but blizzard did it in one day and has only made worse with each passing.
All i can hope is that people keep posting support and more on the reddits and this shit if nothing is done............hits blizzcon full force. I really hope people don't just forgive them for showing some D4 shit and hope those trailers get the most downvotes in history along with nothing but #FreeHongKong in the comments.
For once this is a community united against the bullshit
Even if Blizzard cuts the mic or delays camera feeds, there will undoubtedly be people recording any protests that occur regardless of Blizzard's actions.Because theyre just not going to take questions and or ensure the mic gets cut off anytime someone starts a question about this. I fully believe that no protest is going to be visible at blizcon this year so they can stay quiet and hope it blows over with diablo 4 and OW2 announcements.
Entire gaming and tech world is now waiting for Blizzard's response. This or another thread will pick up again once we have something new to discuss. I can't imagine Blizzard not saying anything with just 19 days left to Blizzcon. It would be the biggest elephant in the room of any gaming event I can ever think of.Given that the last post here was 37 minutes ago, I wonder now if not saying anything was actually the correct move.
And I am now even sadder.