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.
Blizzard doesn't have to stand for anything. They make games. Some people like them and play them. That is all.
What happened recently is some dumb kid who was a GM threw it all away to make a splash. Now he has to pay the consequences. That is all.
Blizzard USED to stand for something, something that was real, something people could rally around... but nope, money is more important....
Blizzard is a for profit C-corporation. They have a responsibility to make money for their shareholders. PERIOD.
AND?
If you rallied around Blizzard then you fell into their retail for profit consumer trap and they happily took lots of money from you.
All Blizzard has ever been about is making money. Their intent has always been the same and will stay the same. Stop thinking these gaming companies, indie or mainstream are anything but just another company like all other companies looking to fish out as much as they can from you. They just chose to sell games to make billions in revenue.
Everyone who has left Blizzard in the past few years walked as multi millionaires and their goal was reached.
lol stood for something real .. People are so delusional. Sorry for laughing at you.
And not only him, but the casters as well. Maybe live interviews are not the best thing to do. And actually they are with 2-3 minutes delay for sure, so I don't know why they didn't cut it earlier.
You would probably read something complete opposite on chinese forum. It's all relative man, What is a shit move for you is a great move for other. 1.5 billion of other.
Don't know what planet you are from. Companies are supposed to make money. When they make money, they are doing their jobs. Making money is not a sin. Stop acting like it is.
BTW https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/605411-blizzard-reddit-private-subreddit-hong-kong-ban
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Fuck Blizzard and fuck this fucking game, properly. They're way beyond dead to me. Gutless, dipshit cowards. They'll happily lick Pooh Bear's testicle hairs for a dime.
FYI, sincere apologies to the staff of Hearthpwn for calling you all cowards for not covering this before. I officially de-fuck you all. :)
Yeah so violating tournament rules should left unpunished, really seems a better way. And the way you're writing things here, I don't think the community looses much with your leaving so go ahead.
Wow they are going to lose you 150 dollars per year.
If I was Blizzard CEO I would call the Stakeholders and say, "Gentlemen... Whisky George is quitting the game, let's screw the whole China market and have all our games banned in China, in order to keep him with us."
"yeah, let's do it"
"yeah!!!!!!!"
"whi-sky-geor-ge! whi-sky geor-ge! whi-sky-geor-ge! whi-sky geor-ge!"
So that Blizzard rule basically says you can't say anything and if you do, you're disqualified and get no prize money. Taking oppression to a whole new level, huh? Disgusting!
No, no. You can say whatever you want to! Just as long as it's not against their Chinese overlords.
Or, you know, they're trying to keep a gaming event politically neutral
By banning him their are actually taking a side, it is, maybe involuntary, but a political move nonetheless.
They should not take any stance on his word since is an individual and not representative of the company, banning him for his ideology is akin to say that they are against to what he said. The best policy they could have taken would have been to do nothing officially, and at most contacting him in private and ask him to avoid making any future political statement while streaming one of their game or during the tournament.
I have never been so dissapointed by Blizzard, in fact by any gaming company. Very very shabby by Blizzard.
Making revolution playing video games LUL
Fuck Blizzard man. Im glad i aint paying no more $$$ for hearthstone
Am I reading the rule wrong or is BLIZZARD the one who broke the rule cited?!