Can’t they just admit they like money more than free speech or democracy?
Regarding Last Weekend’s Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament
21–30 of 179 posts
Re: Regarding Last Weekend’s Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament
#22Ah, yes. Mealy-mouthed corporate nonsense. That'll shut the rabble up!
Re: Regarding Last Weekend’s Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament
#23> 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 [..] playing our games
This HN comment from 6 years ago comes to mind: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6154475
Re: Regarding Last Weekend’s Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament
#24"We don't want to lose money from the Chinese market, but we also don't want to lose money from the American market, we're not really sure what to do and have no moral guidance on the situation, will you accept this double-talk and continue paying us?"
Re: Regarding Last Weekend’s Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament
#25> 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. Needless to say, this line has generated a very large amount of snark on social media.
I don't see any way they could have addressed that without the hysteria still spinning it negatively.
Because it's not like they mention that out of nowhere: They are directly referring to accusations that they were pressured into shutting that particular player down by the Chinese government.
There's a whole lot of people out there who will not be satisfied with any answer contradicting that narrative.
Heck, even if Blizzard went out there and would fully admit "The Chinese government pressured us to shut this particular player down", then people would complain how Blizzard could ever buckle to those demands in the first place.
The reality is that nobody needed to pressure Blizzard because its competitive scene has already seen quite a number of bans, some controversial, many not, over players using the spotlight to share their particular political messages.
It's nothing new and just like they explain in the statement: They do this regardless of the political views being aired, they just consider it not a platform for that.
Very comparable to how the Olympics are supposed to be an "unpolitical event", at least in theory.
Re: Regarding Last Weekend’s Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament
#26This part descends to absurdity:
> 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.
One of their core values is "every voice matters" and with this paragraph they are trying to twist it from what it actually means, to supporting their decision to suppress dissent
Re: Regarding Last Weekend’s Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
The word “nation” as you quoted above isn’t present in the post by Blizzard linked here. Is your quote from another Blizzard statement somewhere?
It was posted by Blizzard's partner in China, NetEase, on an official Blizzard account on weibo.
Re: Regarding Last Weekend’s Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament
#28Question for all of y'all: what would happen if an Olympic athlete expressed or signalled a strong political view (beyond just "my country good, your country bad") during an official Olympic ceremony?
Re: Regarding Last Weekend’s Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament
#29Wish bigwigs would keep it brief and to the point. This was all I need to
hear:
> official broadcasts [should] remain focused on the game and are not a > platform for divisive social or political views.
Same goes with NFL and the kneeling. Just say "hey, we're a business" and leave it at that. Hate all the moralizing.
Re: Regarding Last Weekend’s Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament
#30Reads like a typical corporate response. Sanitized by lawyers, PR, and executives. It says nothing substantial. It's trying to ride the middle ground but it's just flat out contradictory in the face of their actions these past few days.
Very sad. Whatever piece of the original Blizzard may have been left in Irvine is surely on life support from the beating that Activision has been giving it for the last decade(s).