Edit: Added Blitzchung's reaction.
After a long week of discussion, Blizzard changed it's decision on the Blitzchung affair. Read everything Blizzard's President, J. Allen Brack, as well as the subject of the discipline, Grandmaster Blitzchung, had to say below:
Quote from BlizzardHello Blizzard Community . . .
I want to take a few minutes to talk to all of you about the Hearthstone Grandmasters tournament this past weekend. On Monday, we made the decision to take action against a player named blitzchung and two shoutcasters after the player shared his views on what’s happening in Hong Kong on our official broadcast channel.
At Blizzard, our vision is “to bring the world together through epic entertainment.” And we have core values that apply here: Think Globally; Lead Responsibly; and importantly, Every Voice Matters, encouraging everybody to share their point of view. The actions that we took over the weekend are causing people to question if we are still committed to these values. We absolutely are and I will explain.
Our esports programs are an expression of our vision and our values. Esports exist to create opportunities for players from around the world, from different cultures, and from different backgrounds, to come together to compete and share their passion for gaming. It is extremely important to us to protect these channels and the purpose they serve: to bring the world together through epic entertainment, celebrate our players, and build diverse and inclusive communities.
As to how those values apply in this case:
First, our official esports tournament broadcast was used as a platform for a winner of this event to share his views with the world.
We interview competitors who are at the top of their craft to share how they feel. We want to experience that moment with them. Hearing their excitement is a powerful way to bring us together.
Over the weekend, blitzchung used his segment to make a statement about the situation in Hong Kong—in violation of rules he acknowledged and understood, and this is why we took action.
Every Voice Matters, and we strongly encourage everyone in our community to share their viewpoints in the many places available to express themselves. However, the official broadcast needs to be about the tournament and to be a place where all are welcome. In support of that, we want to keep the official channels focused on the game.
Second, what is the role of shoutcasters for these broadcasts?
We hire shoutcasters to amplify the excitement of the game. They elevate the watchability and help the esports viewing experience stay focused on the tournament and our amazing players.Third, were our actions based on the content of the message?
Part of Thinking Globally, Leading Responsibly, and Every Voice Matters is recognizing that we have players and fans in almost every country in the world. Our goal is to help players connect in areas of commonality, like their passion for our games, and create a sense of shared community.The specific views expressed by blitzchung were NOT a factor in the decision we made. I want to be clear: our relationships in China had no influence on our decision.
We have these rules to keep the focus on the game and on the tournament to the benefit of a global audience, and that was the only consideration in the actions we took.
If this had been the opposing viewpoint delivered in the same divisive and deliberate way, we would have felt and acted the same.
OK, what could Blizzard have done better, and where do we go from here?
Over the past few days, many players, casters, esports fans, and employees have expressed concerns about how we determined the penalties. We’ve had a chance to pause, to listen to our community, and to reflect on what we could have done better. In hindsight, our process wasn’t adequate, and we reacted too quickly.We want to ensure that we maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all our players, and that our rules and processes are clear. All of this is in service of another important Blizzard value—Play Nice; Play Fair.
In the tournament itself blitzchung *played* fair. We now believe he should receive his prizing. We understand that for some this is not about the prize, and perhaps for others it is disrespectful to even discuss it. That is not our intention.
But playing fair also includes appropriate pre-and post-match conduct, especially when a player accepts recognition for winning in a broadcast. When we think about the suspension, six months for blitzchung is more appropriate, after which time he can compete in the Hearthstone pro circuit again if he so chooses. There is a consequence for taking the conversation away from the purpose of the event and disrupting or derailing the broadcast.
With regard to the casters, remember their purpose is to keep the event focused on the tournament. That didn’t happen here, and we are setting their suspension to six months as well.
Moving forward, we will continue to apply tournament rules to ensure our official broadcasts remain focused on the game and are not a platform for divisive social or political views.
One of our goals at Blizzard is to make sure that every player, everywhere in the world, regardless of political views, religious beliefs, race, gender, or any other consideration always feels safe and welcome both competing in and playing our games.
At Blizzard, we are always listening and finding ways to improve—it is part of our culture. Thank you for your patience with us as we continue to learn.
Sincerely,
J. Allen Brack
President of Blizzard Entertainment
Blitzchung's reaction to the adjustments made to Blizzard's decision, in full, from today:
Quote from BlitzchungThank you for your attention in the past one week, this is a personal statement and my view on Blizzard's latest decision. First of all, I'm grateful for Blizzard reconsidering their position about my ban. Earlier this week, I told media that I knew I might have penalty or consequence for my act, because I understand that my act could take the conversation away from the purpose of the event. In the future, I will be more careful on that and express my opinions or show my support to Hong Kong on my personal platforms.
Many people has been asking me if I accept the latest decision of Blizzard, I will discuss that on two parts. Tournament prizing and suspension. For tournament prizing, I quoted what Blizzard said on the official website, they mention that I played fair in the tournament and they believe I should receive my prizing. This is the part I really appreciate, Blizzard also said they understand for some this is not about the prize, but perhaps for others it is disrespectful to even discuss it. People from Blizzard had explained this to me through a phone call and I really appreciate that and I accept their decision on this part.
For second part about the suspension, Blizzard had changed their suspension on me from a year to six months. Once again, I appreciate for their reconsideration on this. To be honest, I think six months is still quite a lot to me. But I also being told that I can continue to compete in the hearthstone pro circuit which they mean the grandmaster tournament. I appreciate for this decision they made because grandmaster is currently the highest level tournament in competitive hearthstone. However, I wish Blizzard can reconsider about their penalty on the two casters involved.
Lastly, many people wants to know if i would be competing in hearthstone in the future. Honestly, I have no idea on that yet. Since my next tournament is very likely to be the grandmaster tournament of next season, it's probably at least a few months from now on. I will take this time to relax myself to decide if I am staying in competitive hearthstone scene or not.
Hearthstone changed my the way I live, I really love this community. Blessing to all the players out there, and blessing to Blizzard.
I don't like the fact that Blizzard, because of few internet trolls, has decided to lower punishment. Who break rules, pay the price. Even if this was forced by China government, than it is fine. It is better than every employee from China office to lose their job, because of some teenagare shouted something. And Blizzard has nothing to do with politics. Of course if this is better for the company, it is fine, but I don't agree with such moves. #PunishTheGuiltyOne . Don't forget that Blitzchung, didn't put at stake only him, but everyone else, who could lose his job, because of him (as casters, who actually provoked him). Even if this is censorship, you have no right to put other fates at stake if you know that such kind of things can happen.
Does any one have a link for the video ? I'g=have read a ton of com / articles about that but never watched what all this was about...
I quoted the smart and smariest movie of all time.
Thanks blitzchung... completely going SJW into games.
if you wanna talk about politics.. you have your own facebook and twitter for it.. not at Hearthstone event...
Now watch this will go into other issues..
Pro democracy advocacy is not social justice. Just saying.
It is, but it's the good kind. Social Justice isn't a dirty word.
I get what you mean, but in this case Blitzchung did what he felt was right. If you care about a message that much, a ban should be the least of your worries. It is a tricky situation to touch upon tbh. On one hand, that message was really important to give out, on the other it also hurt a company who although gets into shit a lot, still supports games people play ie:Hearthstone, WoW, and Overwatch. So yeah bit mixed on it, but what's done is done. All that's left now is to figure out the response left by this aftermath.
A Not outraged
B Learn your movie quotes
C Your own response lacks argument and is as hypocritical as Blizzs PR
I didn't quote a single movie (that comes to mind) but you've just proven that all that you do is talk shit about the situation, like a true useful idiot, and when asked what would you have done in his place you're left with no answers. Good job, useful idiot, have a cookie!
You made account to shill for Blizzard, sad life you must have.
It's not ideal, but it's better than nothing - blitzchung will get his prize and suspension is reduced to half a year.
After reading this, I now suspect there are Vogons working in the Blizzard PR department.
bleh, the whole text is just word games. wasted my time, fuck you Allen
Ok, what would you have done?
If I had done a different punish and it would have been lower than the original one, wich was the case, i would have started with an apology and explained why we overreacted , and now adjusted the punishment.
But certainly not some crap like;... however now we believe... this is appropriate.
Now he believes??? And four days ago he believed something else was necessary???
Comments like that leave the impression they make decisions based on who can hurt them the most.
He explicitly admitted that their initial decision was rash:
I agree that the opening feels a bit like "Sorry, not sorry," but if you know anything about PR, you fully expected this. The first rule is never admit you were completely wrong -- unless there's a book deal in it.
Tell us the truth Blizzard, "Certain social and political statements will not be tolerated. We have the right to choose which statements will be allowed. We have the right to protect our financial interests."
Just when I thought you couldn't do anything stupider, Blizzard, you go and do something like this and totally redeem yo...
Oh wait, who am I kidding.
Ok, what would you have done?
Lol, it is easier for outrage monkeys to downvote then to come up with an actual argument
I wouldn't have done this but I understand why blizz wrote this statement. Just for all this stupid haters. Rules are rules. And political statements have nothing to do with blizz and e-sports. It' s the same as I would say "Merkel, you stupid, hate you for what you do to your own people. @ All Germans: no more Merkel!" In fact a lot of Germans think like that. But it has nothing to do with Blizzard. So it would be totally right to disquallify me and all other things they did. There's nothing more to say.