Earlier quoted context omitted.
Honestly, I think this is going to be the end of Brack’s short tenure as top executive at Blizzard. I am reminded of the parable of the three letters. I think the company has backed itself into a corner, and the only way out is to let leadership fall on the sword.
Can you link to said parable? I have not heard it and Google doesn't turn up useful results for "parable of the three letters".
BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers
71–80 of 194 posts
Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers
#72This 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.
I suspect this may be short sighted on Blizzards part in the long term, if they don't capture the Chinese market and wind up losing western marketshare.
Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
Honestly, I think this is going to be the end of Brack’s short tenure as top executive at Blizzard. I am reminded of the parable of the three letters. I think the company has backed itself into a corner, and the only way out is to let leadership fall on the sword.
Can you link to said parable? I have not heard it and Google doesn't turn up useful results for "parable of the three letters".
Not the GP, but perhaps the 'Prepare three envelopes' story [0], which seems relevant...
> The story of three envelopes is a business classic for dysfunctional organizations. It starts with an incoming manager replacing a recently fired outgoing manager. On his way out, the outgoing manager hands the new manager three envelopes and remarks, "when things get tough, open these one at a time."
> About three months goes by and things start to get rough. The manager opens his drawer where he keeps the three envelopes and opens #1. It reads: "Blame your predecessor." So he does and it works like a charm.
> Another three months passes and things are growing difficult again so the manger figures to try #2. It reads, "reorganize." Again, his predecessor's advice works like magic.
> Finally, about nine months into the new job, things are getting really sticky. The manager figures it worked before, why not try again. So he opens the envelope drawer one last time and opens #3. It reads..."prepare three envelopes."
Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers
#74IMO, Blizzards actions have been borderline incompetent. I completely understand them not wanting their platform to be used to make political statements. This isn't like the NBA situation where Morey used a private social media account to show support for his private political opiniona. This was a platform owned by Blizzard with a very specific content focus. But banning Blitzchung for any amount of time was just dum…
I think it still would have been met with backlash because Blizzard previously hopped on the sociopolitical issue bandwagon when they thought it would win them public points [1]. A lot of people see the current situation as transparent bullshit because Blizzard obviously wants to have its cake and eat it, too. [1] https://www.gameskinny.com/as926/blizzard-entertainment-says...
Perhaps people will now realize corporations only act woke to the extent it is to their benefit, and not a millimeter further. Profit consumes all. Corporations will never choose morality.
Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers
#75Earlier quoted context omitted.
> "We encourage players and community members to express themselves. However, our tournament coverage is a platform for Blizzard e-sports content only. Any future use of the platform to express personal political opinions on sensitive subject matter without Blizzard's express conscent will be met with punative action." How about let people say what they want and let the public judge by themselves? Is that so hard to…
So turn all platforms into 4chan, is that what you're suggesting?
Yeah just like 4chan. Except instead of anonymous it's public and instead of a message board it's real life. But other than that exactly like 4chan.
Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers
#76IMO, Blizzards actions have been borderline incompetent. I completely understand them not wanting their platform to be used to make political statements. This isn't like the NBA situation where Morey used a private social media account to show support for his private political opiniona. This was a platform owned by Blizzard with a very specific content focus. But banning Blitzchung for any amount of time was just dum…
I understand your point; but I don't think Blizzard actions would had been this strong on any other similar situation (Say, Blitzchung supporting the Catalonian separatists).
All evidence seems to indicate Blizzard acted this way because China.
Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers
#77Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think it still would have been met with backlash because Blizzard previously hopped on the sociopolitical issue bandwagon when they thought it would win them public points [1]. A lot of people see the current situation as transparent bullshit because Blizzard obviously wants to have its cake and eat it, too. [1] https://www.gameskinny.com/as926/blizzard-entertainment-says...
Perhaps people will now realize corporations only act woke to the extent it is to their benefit, and not a millimeter further. Profit consumes all. Corporations will never choose morality.
There's a large contingent of people who don't want corporations at Pride. But there's also the reasonable view that 'woke for the money' corporations are still better than not woke corporations. It's challenging to work through what's best, especially when the employees of a business might hold stronger views than their employer.
Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers
#78The fact that Blizzard is in a position to throw a 'Con' each year shows that their games and lore are way more highly valued then most games companies. Could you imagine fans paying $230 to visit to an EA exclusive convention each year? Not gonna happen with their reputation. Blizzard is at real risk of losing this community they've fostered for the last 20+ years
I for one stopped playing any Blizzard games long ago and had not even heard about Blizzard for years expect during the "Do you guys not have phones?" fiasco and now this.
Memes about their incompetence seem to be the only way they get any publicity anymore.
Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers
#79Earlier quoted context omitted.
>See the date. As others have noted, even thought this post was on Friday, which was the 11th, the date on the post is the 12th, indicating that it was posted from overseas, possibly China. That's not a big deal in and of itself, but let's me talk about how these things are done. Ah yes, UTC == China. Very reasonable logic here! This post was almost certainly made on Fri Oct 11 2019 17:18:58 PDT from Irvine, CA. Ever…
> Either Mark Kern is misleading on purpose or he's a complete moron. Out of 33 tweets he makes a single mistake/overreach and you want to brand the whole thing as a "ridiculous conspiracy theory"? That seems to be a rather hasty generalization based on the 2nd of 33 tweets...
Mark Kern is a gamergater primarily known for his really bad takes, this is not a hasty generalization.
>brand the whole thing as a "ridiculous conspiracy theory"?
Oh no, I just stopped reading after I reached the ridiculous conspiracy theory. My comment is regarding the part I quoted.
Re: BlizzCon 2019 Protest “Full-Steam Ahead,” Say Organizers
#80The fact that Blizzard is in a position to throw a 'Con' each year shows that their games and lore are way more highly valued then most games companies. Could you imagine fans paying $230 to visit to an EA exclusive convention each year? Not gonna happen with their reputation. Blizzard is at real risk of losing this community they've fostered for the last 20+ years
I agree that Blizzard is risking their community with their moves, but I don't think the financials of their games/IP are that important. Lots of cons get thrown each year, with games / lore / ip that aren't particularly highly valued. All you really need is a strong community, and the con works. That's it. Great IP helps, but isn't necessary. I follow Warframe, for example, which is just one game from one studio and…
See also stuff like Paradox's con and MechCon.