Many members of the Hearthstone community -- Players and Casters alike -- have taken to Social Media over the past few days to voice their opinions on Blizzard's decision to ban Grandmasters competitor: Blitzchung. As we all know by now, Blitzchung was banned for 1 year and stripped of his Grandmasters winnings for voicing his support for the ongoing protests in Hong Kong during his winner's interview this past weekend.
Before we continue, we at HearthPwn would like to say that we recognize that this has rightfully so become a sensitive topic for much of the Hearthstone community. The political and human rights aspects of this situation are very real life things and far outweigh what one would consider "normal" for a website built around a digital card game. While we encourage you to discuss the reactions below, we do ask that we keep this as civil as possible. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions on this matter -- whether it's the Players and Casters listed below, or members of our community. We've been fairly lenient on the discussion of this matter so far, but we will not tolerate personal attacks on any individual based on their opinions.
Casters - Admirable, Sottle, Raven, & Darroch Brown
Admirable has stepped down from his position as caster for Grandmasters, Master Tour: Bucharest, and Blizzcon. He stated that without Blizzard being able to prove to him that they stand behind their core value of "Every Voice Matters", he can no longer continue casting. You can read his full statement here.
Quote from ThatsAdmirableI will not be a part of the broadcast team for Hearthstone for the remainder of this Grandmaster season, for the Masters Tour in Bucharest, or for BlizzCon.
Blitzchung's actions to support Hong Kong speak to me far more than I could have imagined. It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in, and to make sacrifices in the process. His actions are inspiring to me, and I support him wholeheartedly.
For me, this is a large part of my livelihood. This is my passion. This pursuit has been my life, and I've been lucky that I've been able to make it a career. But I cannot compromise my conviction. Without change that would convince me that Blizzard will uphold their core value "Every Voice Matters", I cannot continue casting this game.
Sottle stated that he completely supports Blitzchung's right to protest and free speech. While he may not agree with the actions of his employer, he wishes to remain on the casting team supporting the game he's grown to love. You can read his full statement here.
Quote from coL_SottleI fully support Blitzchung's right to protest and have immense sympathy for his cause and for the plight of the Hong Kong people. What he did was incredibly brave and my heart goes out to him and everyone else fighting for Democracy.
However, in light of the recent relevations that one or more casters will be stepping away from Hearthstone, I would like to affirm that I fully intend to fulfill my contracts with Hearthstone Esports and am open to work with them in the future.
I do not have to agree with the actions or policies of any employer, partner, or service to continue to be affiliated with them. My views are my own, and remain unchanged and uninfluenced by this decision or by Blizzard or Hearthstone Esport's actions.
Raven tweeted a very similar reaction. While disagreeing with the actions of Blizzard, he also states he will honor his contracts and continue working for them. He sites the long lasting relationships between himself, colleagues, and friends. You can read his full statement here.
Quote from RavenCastsIn regards to the events of Blitzchung's interview, I support his right to protest and cannot even fathom what it is like during the events going on in Hong Kong. He, and the people of Hong Kong, have my sympathy during this time. I truly hope this situation can find a positive resolution that ensures the safety of the people.
Although I do not agree with the decisions that have been made by Blizzard, I will continue to fill my ongoing contracts with the Hearthstone team which include finishing Grandmasters this weekend. I have the utmost respect for the Hearthstone Esports team who are not only my colleagues, but my friends, and will look to continue to work with them in the future.
Darroch also stated he'd be honoring his contractual obligations and will be casting at Grandmasters. Much like the rest of the group he says he's saddened by the choices that have been made by Activision-Blizzard, but has immense admiration of the decisions made by Admirable and Brian Kibler. His full statement is here.
Quote from DarrochBrownI would like to start by saying that I have nothing but admiration for Blitzchung for his choice. It was a very brave thing to do in standing up for what he believes in. The people of Hong Kong deserve justice and I support everyone fighting for democracy and freedom anywhere.
I also have immense admiration for Kibler and Admirable for their decision. They are some of the best people I know and will continue to inspire me long into the future. I appreciate how difficult of a choice it was for them.
However, when it comes to my own position as a Hearthstone caster, I plan on fulfilling my current obligations and continuing to cast Hearthstone in the future.
I am saddened by the choices made by Activision Blizzard and do not agree with them, but hope that anyone reading can understand that I can disagree with their choices and still be affiliated with them.
American University
Soon after the punishments were handed to Blitzchung, Hearthstone Esports was back on stream with a Tespa event. During the broadcast, members of the American University team briefly held up a sign reading "Free Hong Kong. Boycott Blizz.". A decision was made not to punish the students. When they were scheduled for their next tournament matchup, they subsequently withdrew citing "hypocrisy in how Blizzard treats different regions". Their full statement can be found here.
Quote from StertstegoTESPA kept us in the tournament and gave us another match.
This shows Blizzard's hypocrisy in how it treats different regions. They are hesitant to suppress free speech when it happens in America, on an English language stream, but will throw casters' and players' livelihoods under the bus if they are from Hong Kong or Taiwan. It should also dispel the idea that Blitzchung was punished for bringing politics into Hearthstone, because our message was clearly political and we weren't touched. Blitzchung was punished because China was watching.
To clarify one point, our protest was in no way comparable to Blitzchung's. He, and all Hong Kongers, are putting so much more on the line than we did. Unlike him, we also suggested boycotting Blizzard, while his message was purely in support of human rights. Yet he is the one Blizzard targeted.
Players - Kripparrian, Amnesiac, & DisguisedToast
Kripp publicly called for Blizzard to "reconsider their position".
Quote from TSM KripparrianI want to be clear that I support those protesting in Hong Kong. With such a large part of their country pushing for change, they are, and deserve to be on the right side of history.
I haven't been involved with competitive esports Hearthstone for years now, but Hearthstone for me is much more than their esports division and their recent poor decision making. I invite Blizzard to reconsider their position. Sure, they are in the entertainment space, so they want to keep anything that isn’t about Hearthstone out of their official broadcast, but the penalty on Blitzchung and the casters seems just too over the top. All of us who have spent the best part of our lives on Battlenet expect better out of Blizzard.
Amnesiac followed suit, voicing his displeasure and calling for Blizzard to reconsider.
Quote from Amnesiac_HSAs a player in the Grandmaster League, I support democracy, free speech, and the right of people in Hong Kong and around the world to assemble in protest, and I do not support Blizzard or anyone else playing a role in silencing of these views.
I recognize that my decision to speak up may have consequences, but I believe it's important to stand for what you think is right, and stand for the rights of others when they can't necessarily do so themselves. I love Hearthstone and competing in Grandmasters, and it is a huge part of my life, but there are some principles that are worth fighting for. I hope Blizzard will reconsider their position and apply the principals reflected in their own mission statement.
DisguisedToast also asked Blizzard to reconsider -- albeit in a typical DisguisedToast fashion.
Quote from DisguisedToastHearthstone streamers are being pressured to stop streaming Hearthstone due to the Blitzchung drama, but that's financially unrealistic for them.
So I'll make this offer instead.
BLIZZARD, I will START playing Hearthstone again if you reconsider your position about his ban.
It was written by China. A user on Twitter details all the ways that a nonnative speaker uses English in slightly odd ways.
https://twitter.com/sgbluebell/status/1182817588147052544
Seriously, read this guy's analysis of it. China wrote the apology. Blizzard is ever more lost to us than we realized. Blizzcon is going to be full or Pooh protests, Chinese flags, and all the forums will be "next question."
I love how the casters think so highly of themselves that if they threaten to leave, the Blizzard community would suffer so dearly. I love the response that Blizzard did. (Breaker of Rules) Blitzchung was punished for what he did. Because the casters who are legends in their own minds don't agree with it, doesn't mean it is still not breaking the rules.
I believe Blizzard has done the right thing to keep politics away from games. Can't Blitzchung just use his Tweeter?
Personally I don't. But if casters and streamers who make a living out of this game are willing to quit their jobs because of this issue, I'm pretty sure many people are willing to 'sacrifice' their spendings on this game. And since blizzard isn't creating actual physical value, their profit basically only depends on their income.
So, community thinks that anyone can come anywhere and talk about politics and stuff.
Then, let me come to your dad's funeral and shout about freedom of speech in Uganda, okey? If you can do it anywhere - that's where I want to talk about it and, according to the community, I will be loved a lot for no reason.
I just can not stop laughing about that absurd. No brain involved by those human right protectors btw.
I think its safe to say that many people and especially these prominent figures in the media recognize that Blitzchung should be punished to some degree which you would know if you've read any of the messages (especially Brian Kibler's) posted to their social media accounts.
Of course it's not okay to go to a funeral and shout about freedom of speech in Uganda, but the punishment shouldn't be a life sentence.
Read the messages and get the details first before you call everyone stupid
I’m not really getting what your point is, when did anyone say he should be banned for life? I actually really like greengrass’ analogy. There’s a time and a place for everything. Why in the world would it ever be necessary to bring up politics at a funeral or hearthstone game? blizzard has done the right thing, they initialized a punishment that they thought was adequate, then they listened to the community and met in the middle. Like what more could you want?
Other than that a black Harvard professor conducted a study that determined there was no apparent massive racial bias in the vast majority of US police forces, but there is ample evidence of the political situation in Hong Kong actually existing as a human rights issue and therefore one protest missed the mark in both target and reason, while the other hit at least the mark in reason (target is debatable given that Hearthstone isn't likely going to make the Chinese police and military less violent).
I'm pretty convinced that there is racial bias in the vast majority of US police forces. In spite of the ONE Harvard professor who conducted a study. And since I live in the US, this is a very real concern to ME. Far more concerning than the plight of the Chinese people.
And this is the crux of the problem. I have MY own causes I fight for. They are MY choice. I don't disrespect yours, but I don't necessarily share them. But I do have contempt for those who try shove their own political beliefs down my throat.
The American University team nailed this whole thing in their statement and actions.
So... Blizzard is the NFL, and Blitzchung is Kolin Kapernick? .... got it..
So Blizzard decided to punish a player for being political by appeasing a political threat from another country in an attempt to avoid a controversy.
Nicely done.
He didnt "break the law". He disobeyed a torunament rule. Thats very different than breaking the law, which would put in a court of law before a Judge.
Kibler should be on this "list."
I think they thought that we already know. He was the first and most influential of them all.
Freedom of Speech does not imply lack of consequences. Blitzchung's actions are expressly and clearly forbidden. I have ZERO sympathy for him.
nobody care for Honk Kong as well. 80% of spamers, are just trolls, who like to hate. I would more believe that someone is paying them for this, than that they care for HK.
Where is Frodan in all of this? Did not see any statement on the matter. He's indeed a big personality in the Hearthstone community and i would like to know what he thinks.
Leave it to Toast to make everything about himself.
Dear hearthpwn. It is very disappointing, that you turned from fan site of hearthstone in political hype train. If someone from the staff read this. If you support Hon Kong protest, please write it as a news "We support riots in Hon Kong". Right now what you did is not taking any position, but just putting more oil in the fire. On one side you neither agree, nor disagree with any of this opinions (as actually Blizzard do). But at the same time, you post only the supporter of the riots, which obviously state, like you want to be Heroes... but you still didn't said what is your position. Anyway. In connection with everything what happened, do you see why Blizzard don't want to be connected with the riots at all? You think that it is a joke, to just shout on hearthstone stream about riot and than to say "but I didnt know how bad it can became". Do you think that twitch support any speech related with riots? It has nothing to do with censorship or anything else. Topics like this split people and just right now you just try to fill your community with some blizzard haters (which I don't understand how this is related with hearthstone). And I don't care about their riots, nor for China. But it is really disgusting to watch this in forum about Hearthstone. And actually it doesn't matter who is right or wrong, but I strongly believe this wasn't place to discuss such matters.