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BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers

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Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers

#11

Post by CreepGin »

prepend wrote: post #2

Blizzard president Brack’s statement that their policy limiting player speech is to “ keep the focus on the game and on the tournament." This is curious in such an ad supported game and tournament coverage. Do twitch ads take focus away from the tournament? A five second statement by a player is nothing compared to all the non-game material within and around broadcasts. This seems to me to be some damage reduction st…

It's a statement written for Chinese Authorities. This twitter thread analyzes it pretty well.

https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/1183215204525412352

Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers

#12

Post by tyri_kai_psomi »

prepend wrote: post #2

Blizzard president Brack’s statement that their policy limiting player speech is to “ keep the focus on the game and on the tournament." This is curious in such an ad supported game and tournament coverage. Do twitch ads take focus away from the tournament? A five second statement by a player is nothing compared to all the non-game material within and around broadcasts. This seems to me to be some damage reduction st…

> “ keep the focus on the game and on the tournament."

I just can't help myself but draw the parallels to the NBA and their current situation as well with China and the utter hypocrisy shown by everyone from GMs to Coaches all the way down to players and media staff. When it came to social issues and black incarceration and inequality in America they spoke up bravely, and stated they wouldn't just "shut up and dribble" as LeBron famously stated.

Steve Kerr, a long outspoken critic of Donald Trump famously stated in 2017, "If you look at the history of the world, the biggest problems come when people don't speak."

Now this is Steve Kerr in 2019 after the China controversy, specifically on whether Morey shouldn't be fired: "I would hope that you appreciate my right to not answer that question because all it does is create a headline"

Sure sounds like the players and coaches are now saying "let us shut up and dribble" and "let us focus on the game"

Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers

#13

Post by asia92 »

bovermyer wrote: post #6

As long as the protesters don't disrupt the experience that I paid for too much, they can do whatever they want. After weighing the facts carefully, I've decided that Blizzard was justified in penalizing the Hearthstone player, justified in penalizing the two casters, and truly abysmal at managing public relations. My position on Hong Kong is unchanged. I'm still firmly of the belief that China needs to grant Hong Ko…

I agree with this mostly. I think penalizing the casters were a bit too much though.

Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers

#14

Post by burger_moon »

I haven't been following this Blizzard situation (debacle maybe?) too closely but does anyone know which has had a greater affect on American's humanitarian interests in Hong Kong, was it Blizzard or the NBA?

It's hard to tell if I'm seeing Blizzard and gaming show up more because of tech overlap but both seemed to have a huge impact on increased discussion among people around me. It really brought a lot of exposure to people who don't follow the news that closely, ime anyways.

Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers

#15

Post by chii »

burger_moon wrote: post #14

I haven't been following this Blizzard situation (debacle maybe?) too closely but does anyone know which has had a greater affect on American's humanitarian interests in Hong Kong, was it Blizzard or the NBA? It's hard to tell if I'm seeing Blizzard and gaming show up more because of tech overlap but both seemed to have a huge impact on increased discussion among people around me. It really brought a lot of exposure…

blizzard, by drawing attention and banning the HS player, has inadvertently caused their own PR nightmare. If they just left it alone, there would've been less issues, and the media wouldn't be discussing it at all.

Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers

#16

Post by jressey »

bovermyer wrote: post #6

As long as the protesters don't disrupt the experience that I paid for too much, they can do whatever they want. After weighing the facts carefully, I've decided that Blizzard was justified in penalizing the Hearthstone player, justified in penalizing the two casters, and truly abysmal at managing public relations. My position on Hong Kong is unchanged. I'm still firmly of the belief that China needs to grant Hong Ko…

Let me summarize: 'Thoughts and prayers to the people of Hong Kong.'

Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers

#17

Post by raxxorrax »

bovermyer wrote: post #6

As long as the protesters don't disrupt the experience that I paid for too much, they can do whatever they want. After weighing the facts carefully, I've decided that Blizzard was justified in penalizing the Hearthstone player, justified in penalizing the two casters, and truly abysmal at managing public relations. My position on Hong Kong is unchanged. I'm still firmly of the belief that China needs to grant Hong Ko…

> the experience that I paid for

I would feel sorry for you, but you would have to pay me for that too.

I ask myself what facts are there to be weighted. I doubt playing along and suddenly China liberalizes is a realistic outlook.

But since China wasn't content with keeping their content rules within their own borders, that option quickly became less interesting. And I do believe that warrants a very strong answer. One which could even deescalate and drawing a clear border for China to respect if it wants to be treated in kind.

Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers

#18

Post by sodosopa »

chii wrote: post #10
me_me_me wrote: post #3

This will be truly interesting to see. I wonder what can Blizzard possibly do for this not to spiral out of control and please West and China at the same time. I do not envy their PR department right now. But then again its all their own doing, so ready up the popcorn...

they cannot please both. They will have to ride out the bad PR in the west, because they cannot afford to ride out the chinese market's dominance and profits.

the Chinese are 14% of their business. They could cut in other areas to make up for that loss.

Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers

#19

Post by [deleted] »

chii wrote: post #10
me_me_me wrote: post #3

This will be truly interesting to see. I wonder what can Blizzard possibly do for this not to spiral out of control and please West and China at the same time. I do not envy their PR department right now. But then again its all their own doing, so ready up the popcorn...

they cannot please both. They will have to ride out the bad PR in the west, because they cannot afford to ride out the chinese market's dominance and profits.

[deleted]

Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers

#20

Post by romanovcode »

chii wrote: post #15
burger_moon wrote: post #14

I haven't been following this Blizzard situation (debacle maybe?) too closely but does anyone know which has had a greater affect on American's humanitarian interests in Hong Kong, was it Blizzard or the NBA? It's hard to tell if I'm seeing Blizzard and gaming show up more because of tech overlap but both seemed to have a huge impact on increased discussion among people around me. It really brought a lot of exposure…

blizzard, by drawing attention and banning the HS player, has inadvertently caused their own PR nightmare. If they just left it alone, there would've been less issues, and the media wouldn't be discussing it at all.

> and the media wouldn't be discussing it at all.

But the Chinese government might. And that might be much worse for them.

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