Blitzchung's Ban and Blizzard's Official Reaction
At the Hearthstone Grandmasters Asia-Pacific this weekend, Grandmaster Blitzchung made a comment in a post game interview about the political situation in Hong Kong. Blizzard did not take kindly to this and banned him and the 2 casters involved in the production and on top of that removed the VOD. This is their official statement on what happened:
Quote from BlizzardDuring the Asia-Pacific Grandmasters broadcast over the weekend there was a competition rule violation during a post-match interview, involving Blitzchung and two casters, which resulted in the removal of the match VOD replay.
Upon further review we have found the action has violated the 2019 Hearthstone Grandmasters Official Competition Rules section 6.1 (o) and is individual behavior which does not represent Blizzard or Hearthstone Esports. 6.1 (o) is found below.
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.
Grandmasters is the highest tier of Hearthstone Esports and we take tournament rule violations very seriously. After an investigation, we are taking the necessary actions to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Effective immediately, Blitzchung is removed from Grandmasters and will receive no prizing for Grandmasters Season 2. Additionally, Blitzchung is ineligible to participate in Hearthstone esports for 12 months beginning from Oct. 5th, 2019 and extending to Oct. 5th, 2020. We will also immediately cease working with both casters.
We’d like to re-emphasize tournament and player conduct within the Hearthstone esports community from both players and talent. While we stand by one’s right to express individual thoughts and opinions, players and other participants that elect to participate in our esports competitions must abide by the official competition rules.
Care to elaborate?
Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times
Shame one blizzard!
Gay Reindhart incoming.
Who were the two unlucky casters?
lmao the comments.. good fuck these guys i hope they lose even more $$$$$$$$$
Their reputation is more damaged by their reaction. Do they ban themselves now?
Are they out of their fucking minds?
Do they really think that a single individual expressing his opinion would damage their image? Do they really think one player represents the entire fucking company?
What a pile of steaming shit, holy fuck.
Second-hand info, so take this with a grain of salt:
apparently one of the big shareholders in Acti/Blizz is a chinese company which includes many big names in the Party, so they take these kinds of things very seriously and put on pressure for these kinds of retaliations.
Even if true, I still agree this is bull. And firing the casters as well? This is massive bull.
FUCK THE COMMUNISTS LEFTISTS, THE DISEASE OF THE WORLD!!!
You are generalizing people by their politic opinions...
thats so dumb
its up to Blizzards discretion. apparently, they would rather let the Bully win in this case.
Blizzard is dead. No wonder all these people who started up the company since the beginning have all left, its an empty shell of its former self.
Blizzard's reaction is disgusting for a company from "the land of the free"
Blizzard can suck my dick. They are money grabbing, communist supporting bitches. Fuck them.
Fuck you blizzard
Why would you treat those poor casters like this?
Hey Blizzard Delete This 凸( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)凸 Hey Blizzard Delete This 凸( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)凸 Hey Blizzard Delete This 凸( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)凸 Hey Blizzard Delete This 凸( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)凸 Hey Blizzard Delete This 凸( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)凸 Hey Blizzard Delete This 凸( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)凸 Hey Blizzard Delete This 凸( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)凸 Hey Blizzard Delete This 凸( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)凸
Buck Flizzard
“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”
congratulations, you played yourself
Fuck Blizzard