Blizzard, speech, and Capitalism

[Neutraligon]

So for those who do not know, recently a pro-gamer Hong Kong native named blitzchung won a Grandmaster tournament for Hearthstone (this tournament is the highest level tournament), a Blizzard game. During a interview that was being live streamed, blitzchung announced "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our age." For this act, blitzchung was suspended from playing tournaments for 1 year (remember this is his profession so this is similar to not being able to play a sport for a year and not getting paid during that time) and would lose his winnings for the tournament.

The explanation given in the US version was very legalistic and basically stated that he had broken a tournament rule, namely

2019 HEARTHSTONE® GRANDMASTERS OFFICIAL COMPETITION RULES v1.4 p.12, Section 6.1 (o)
Engaging in any act that, in Blizzard’s sole discretion, brings you into public disrepute, offends a portion or group of the public, or otherwise damages Blizzard image will result in removal from Grandmasters and reduction of the player’s prize total to $0 USD, in addition to other remedies which may be provided for under the Handbook and Blizzard’s Website Terms.

https://playhearthstone.com/en-us/blog/23179289/

The explanation released in China however had very different and stated

We are very angered and disappointed at what happened at the event and do not condone it in any way. We also highly object the spreading of personal political beliefs in this manner...We will always respect and defend the pride of our country.

translated here https://twitter.com/Slasher/status/1181 ... in-chinese

Two interesting things to note, first China has one of the biggest markets for gaming in the world, if not the biggest (if it is not the biggest it will soon become so), meaning that gaming companies have very large interest not only in catering to Chinese citizens, but also to the Chinese government who controls whether a game can be released in their country. In addition, Blizzard is a US based publicly traded company, with about 5% of its shares being controlled by Tencent, a massive Chinese company.

The suspension of blitzchung has resulted in a massive backlash against Blizzard. Among this backlash was an American team in a separate tournament coming up with a similar protest (they held up a sign during the tournament saying support Hong Kong). This team was not suspended, and was even given their next tournament game after this incident.

This situation brings up some interesting questions of censorship, capitalism, and international trade. How do we respond to an American company censoring political commentary in interviews with players? How do we deal with companies that censor speech in order to grow into authoritarian areas? How do we deal with a censor happy place like China having such a large share of the market that it is effecting Western countries, where Western countries have to decide between not having access to a massive market, or censoring stuff happening in the US?

I honestly have no answer to these things, but I thought it would be interesting to discuss, so thoughts?

[Rojava Free State]

America needs to stop bending over for china, but then again we also let ourselves be abused by israel, Saudi Arabia and now Turkey as well. America is like mid 1800s china. A once powerful country now having its strings pulled by foreign interlopers vying for influence within our economy and politics. I know that only southpark will have the guts to give a middle finger to the Chinese Corporatist Party

[Aureumterra]

America needs to stop bending over for china, but then again we also let ourselves be abused by israel, Saudi Arabia and now Turkey as well. America is like mid 1800s china. A once powerful country now having its strings pulled by foreign interlopers vying for influence within our economy and politics. I know that only southpark will have the guts to give a middle finger to the Chinese Corporatist Party

I question your judgment when you include Israel with Saudi Arabia and Turkey

[Pacomia]

America needs to stop bending over for china, but then again we also let ourselves be abused by israel, Saudi Arabia and now Turkey as well. America is like mid 1800s china. A once powerful country now having its strings pulled by foreign interlopers vying for influence within our economy and politics. I know that only southpark will have the guts to give a middle finger to the Chinese Corporatist Party

This doesn’t necessarily mean the US needs to not have allies, though, they just need better ones. Steering clear of the Middle East could be good. I see a promising ally in Pakistan.

[Aureumterra]

America needs to stop bending over for china, but then again we also let ourselves be abused by israel, Saudi Arabia and now Turkey as well. America is like mid 1800s china. A once powerful country now having its strings pulled by foreign interlopers vying for influence within our economy and politics. I know that only southpark will have the guts to give a middle finger to the Chinese Corporatist Party

This doesn’t necessarily mean the US needs to not have allies, though, they just need better ones. Steering clear of the Middle East could be good. I see a promising ally in Pakistan.

…
Let’s stick with India

[Pacomia]

America needs to stop bending over for china, but then again we also let ourselves be abused by israel, Saudi Arabia and now Turkey as well. America is like mid 1800s china. A once powerful country now having its strings pulled by foreign interlopers vying for influence within our economy and politics. I know that only southpark will have the guts to give a middle finger to the Chinese Corporatist Party

I question your judgment when you include Israel with Saudi Arabia and Turkey

Israel is absolutely in the same category as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, just using the US to help them further their goals. The difference between Israel and Saudi Arabia and Turkey, though, is that at least Saudi Arabia gives the US oil in return, and Turkey is in NATO. Israel, however, gives us nothing in return. They’re just using us against Palestine.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the US needs to not have allies, though, they just need better ones. Steering clear of the Middle East could be good. I see a promising ally in Pakistan.

…
Let’s stick with India

Last I remember, the US has better relations currently with Pakistan than with India.

[Tornado Queendom]

I feel that Blizzard is a company that should be boycotted, and they're owned by Activision (you know, the ones behind putting out CoD EVERY YEAR with NO changes whatsoever.). We should boycott Activision Blizzard, and instead support companies like CD Projekt Red and THQNordic.

It's only a matter of time before EA bends over for China's [CENSORED]ing of them, and they'll likely be even WORSE.

[Israeli Empiratic Commonwealth]

ugh China is at it again.

[Shamhnan Insir]

America needs to stop bending over for china, but then again we also let ourselves be abused by israel, Saudi Arabia and now Turkey as well. America is like mid 1800s china. A once powerful country now having its strings pulled by foreign interlopers vying for influence within our economy and politics. I know that only southpark will have the guts to give a middle finger to the Chinese Corporatist Party

This doesn’t necessarily mean the US needs to not have allies, though, they just need better ones. Steering clear of the Middle East could be good. I see a promising ally in Pakistan.

What do you see in Pakistan? They are becoming cosy with China as they both seek to piss off India in whatever ways they can. The China/India scuffle could still happen.

[Pacomia]

This doesn’t necessarily mean the US needs to not have allies, though, they just need better ones. Steering clear of the Middle East could be good. I see a promising ally in Pakistan.

What do you see in Pakistan? They are becoming cosy with China as they both seek to piss off India in whatever ways they can. The China/India scuffle could still happen.

I’m not saying Pakistan is the perfect ally, but they’re a strategic one. Pakistan has historically been a friend of the US, since its independence in 1947. Plus, the relationship between the two nations has been mutually beneficial, the US giving Pakistan foreign aid and Pakistan letting the US put military bases in their territory. And it doesn’t like to do major human rights violations and monarchical theocracies like the Saudis. At this point, Iran actually has the moral high ground over Saudi Arabia.

[Neutraligon]

ugh China is at it again.

Except this is not just about China, this is about a large company giving up it morals in order to have access to a large market.

Also, to the others, please stay on topic.

[Pacomia]

ugh China is at it again.

Except this is not just about China, this is about a large company giving up it morals in order to have access to a large market.

Also, to the others, please stay on topic.

They want profit, and they’re willing to sacrifice their morals to get it.

[Vassenor]

Looks like Riot Games is on it too, banning official streamers from discussing "sensitive topics" while on air.

[Aureumterra]

…
Let’s stick with India

Last I remember, the US has better relations currently with Pakistan than with India.

US really shouldn’t, remind me which country sheltered Bin Laden again? Allying with Pakistan is as bad as being allies with KSA

[Neutraligon]

Looks like Riot Games is on it too, banning official streamers from discussing "sensitive topics" while on air.

Not a surprise.

Also damn, I knew Tencent was big... I did not know just how big they where. They are truly massive.

[Pacomia]

They want profit, and they’re willing to sacrifice their morals to get it.

Yeah not gonna play WOW now.

That’s probably not the way to deal with it. Boycotts rarely work, especially when only 1 or 2 percent of people do it- which will probably be the case here. Instead, try to just spread the word. Maybe try to contact higher management at Blizzard. Make as many people as possible know about this.

[Aureumterra]

I feel that Blizzard is a company that should be boycotted, and they're owned by Activision (you know, the ones behind putting out CoD EVERY YEAR with NO changes whatsoever.). We should boycott Activision Blizzard, and instead support companies like CD Projekt Red and THQNordic.

It's only a matter of time before EA bends over for China's [CENSORED]ing of them, and they'll likely be even WORSE.

Good thing the trade deal was terminated

[Neutraligon]

Yeah not gonna play WOW now.

That’s probably not the way to deal with it. Boycotts rarely work, especially when only 1 or 2 percent of people do it- which will probably be the case here. Instead, try to just spread the word. Maybe try to contact higher management at Blizzard. Make as many people as possible know about this.

People are very aware of this. When I say there is a massive backlash, I mean massive to the point where it showed up in mainstream media (I am talking the Washington post having an article on it). I think the reason for the backlash is partially the questions I am asking, how should people respond to US companies censoring political speech.

[Pacomia]

That’s probably not the way to deal with it. Boycotts rarely work, especially when only 1 or 2 percent of people do it- which will probably be the case here. Instead, try to just spread the word. Maybe try to contact higher management at Blizzard. Make as many people as possible know about this.

People are very aware of this. When I say there is a massive backlash, I mean massive to the point where it showed up in mainstream media (I am talking the Washington post having an article on it). I think the reason for the backlash is partially the questions I am asking, how should people respond to US companies censoring political speech.

That’s tougher. My initial reaction would be to make censoring political speech illegal- one could argue it’s against the 1st amendment- but how would that be implemented? There probably wouldn’t be a positive reaction to just outright banning it. Then what? Try boycotts? Will those work? And eventually you just don’t know anymore.

[Vassenor]

I feel that Blizzard is a company that should be boycotted, and they're owned by Activision (you know, the ones behind putting out CoD EVERY YEAR with NO changes whatsoever.). We should boycott Activision Blizzard, and instead support companies like CD Projekt Red and THQNordic.

It's only a matter of time before EA bends over for China's [CENSORED]ing of them, and they'll likely be even WORSE.

CDPR's still run by morons. So no.

[Israeli Empiratic Commonwealth]

Looks like Riot Games is on it too, banning official streamers from discussing "sensitive topics" while on air.

Eee okay. This is my opinion.
Free speech should be kept free.
Stupid offended Chinese government.

[Repubblica Fascista Sociale Italiana]

America needs to stop bending over for china, but then again we also let ourselves be abused by israel, Saudi Arabia and now Turkey as well. America is like mid 1800s china. A once powerful country now having its strings pulled by foreign interlopers vying for influence within our economy and politics. I know that only southpark will have the guts to give a middle finger to the Chinese Corporatist Party

“Chinese Corporatist Party”

Funny how almost every attempt at communism has devolved into the very thing it swore to destroy

[Blanjiland]

Frankly, I'm not surprised a corporation like Blizzard pulled a stunt like this. We're all going to forget about this in a few weeks, meanwhile, Blizzard will benefit massively from sucking up to the larger market. There's no way Blizzard would have done this if they weren't absolutely sure it would help them in the long run.

[Aureumterra]

America needs to stop bending over for china, but then again we also let ourselves be abused by israel, Saudi Arabia and now Turkey as well. America is like mid 1800s china. A once powerful country now having its strings pulled by foreign interlopers vying for influence within our economy and politics. I know that only southpark will have the guts to give a middle finger to the Chinese Corporatist Party

“Chinese Corporatist Party”

Funny how almost every attempt at communism has devolved into the very thing it swore to destroy

It’ll definitely work the next time

[Andsed]

While business wise it is smart not to anger China I am not exactly fond of money being valued more than free speech.