Blizzard community,
Our world has a long history of racism. Humans create groups, and then create divisions between groups unlike themselves. Ironic how we need each other as social creatures, yet we developed the practice to ‘other’ humans who at first glance don’t look like what we see in the mirror.
I have made it a personal obligation to educate myself about trauma others endure, and to work to change those experiences for them. Many within Blizzard come from a place of strong purpose, with a will to do in order to help society.
Last year at BlizzCon, I made a commitment for Blizzard to do better. We pride ourselves on learning and growing, and doing something now that reflects our company and community values. I also said that our actions would matter more than our words—we have been publicly silent until now because action is the important part.
Let me be clear: Blizzard stands in solidarity with those fighting against racism, because racism is as dangerous as any pandemic for those affected. We stand with those fighting against social and institutional structures that promote inequality among people of color.
Last week, AB announced donations to the Equal Justice Initiative, the United Negro College Fund, and the Management Leaders of Tomorrow (MLT) to fight systemic racial inequality. At Blizzard, we are working on initiatives for our community and our workplace.
In our games: For many years, we’ve had teams working with A.I. and machine learning to reduce toxicity and hate speech, as well as to help improve the overall gaming experience. Since January 1 this year, we’ve banned over 30,000 accounts for these reasons, as well as issued more than three million total hours of player suspensions. These penalties have notably improved our game environments: over the last two years, we’ve seen a 43% reduction in poor behavior reports, and a 59% reduction in the re-offense rate. And while this is progress, we’ve identified other places where we can use this technology and have more work to continue to do toward this effort.
In our relationships: We are also reviewing our partnerships to identify opportunities to support Black-owned and diverse businesses, and to amplify the voices of Black content creators and influencers.
Juneteenth: Today at Blizzard, we are observing Juneteenth with the goal of encouraging employees to take the time to be educated. We hosted a virtual session with a leader in our home city of Irvine, California, so employees can learn more about implicit bias, implications for law and policy, and how they can get involved in local efforts to drive change. We have also provided a list of resources to help coworkers self-educate, and shared ways to get involved in advocacy.
Ongoing: We are stronger with more diverse views and experiences. We are committed to being a more equitable workplace, including how and where we recruit, our HR practices, and employee support. We will also put an ongoing employee education program into place. This program will include more training and education (with the materials purchased from Black and minority-owned businesses), and Blizzard-wide town halls with experts on allyship, advocacy, and racism.
All of this work will continue to make Blizzard better, and play some small part in a larger, positive shift.
To our Black community, colleagues, and partners, Blizzard stands with you.
Black lives matter, today and always.
- J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard Entertainment
Did you really make an account just to comment this? That's pathetic
#RedLivesMatter
#BlueLivesMatter
#YellowLivesMatter
again try learning something, you don't want to that's the problem. get over yourself kiddo
You are just talking about crimes here but the discussions and protests are not just about crimes.
I myself am white and never discriminated for scin color but I did when just starting driving my car.
My first car was a Volkswagon Polo and I was held by the police for alcohol tests at least once a month.
Three years later I switched cars and never had to do a alcohol test again in my life, despite not changing the way I drive.
I'm 14 years further now.
That's probably what happens to black people too.
I honestly also think people get more aggressive over time when being discriminated often.
So what is first. The chicken or the egg?
They only speak out against oppressive American infrastructure because it won't cost them billions to do so. They are still silent about the issues in Hong Kong, which are far worse and have lasted far longer than in America.
Solid. Too bad the China thing happened...
I'm fine with the message that black lives matter, its whatever. What I find ironic though Is how you have all these companies coming out in support of this movement even though they are all big fat hypocrites that bow down to China at the same time. They only care about this movement so they can virtue signal and tell us all how righteous they are when in reality, they are worse than anyone. Blm is doing nothing but creating more racial divide by telling us how bad white people are. And they get away with it too because anyone who criticizes it is shot down as a racist immediately. What other movement has the same immunities as blm? This is a circus
It's simple, really. If it hurts the business - don't do it, if you can virtue signal without any monitary repucation - why not.
So you're saying: Don't hate the player, hate the game.
I couldn't have put it better. Well said, sir!!!
The fact you think BLM somehow says other lives don't or "telling us how bad white people are" shows quite clearly you know nothing about what this protest is about.
It's not just about virtue signalling. It is also the rather immediate threat that the BLM movement is literally burning businesses to the ground right now. If you don't want your offices broken into, looted and set on fire you had better bend the knee.
Do Hong Kong Lives Matter Blizzard?
Dude, I'm black and it's really nice to see your guys supporting this cause.
But please, PLEASE. If you want respect, nerf Demon Hunter's weapon, Metamorphosis and the 3 mana 4/2 right away!!!
I'd thank you SO MUCH if you stop killing the game.
This has nothing to do with you if you're a law abiding citizen. BLM was literally started by convicted cop killers.
All Lives Matter.
blizzard should free BLM
Don't want politics in game or twitch, so fuk of