Sure, by a german magazine, who mentioned the name ‘Diablo 4’ in a an article about a Blizzard artbook. Oh wow, what a leak! So much reveal! Much information! Wow!
Good point! Is “Protecting the pride of China” a political statement/policy over a statement of “Free Hong Kong”? I would like Blizzard to clarify the difference.
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The closer you get to blizzcon the more leaks become present and show up, whether or not there’s any pr issues present or not at that moment. But I mean, every annoucement made is “a desperate attempt by blizzard” from store mounts, to new features, to any kind of sale at any point in the year. It’s all “desperate moves” from as far back as Warcraft 3, honestly. (Oh man, a battle chest, blizzard is desperate because no one likes how the heroes are imbalanced.)
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To err is human, to forgive divine. Honestly if Blizz reverse the suspension entirely and apologized along with a promise not to censor this sort of speech in the future, that would be good enough for me and I’d resub. As it stands, everybody knows the suspension was politically motivated regardless of what Blizzard says. Blizz has NOT stated the Blizzard Endorsed Weibo post is false, so that’s what.
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No, they don’t.
Outside that, I disagree. If punishments based on China’s pressure are bad, then removal of punishments based on social pressure are equally bad. I want the rules enforced because they should be enforced, not because they are scared of what may happen if they do/don’t.
I think it’s pretty clear, since Blizz won’t retract the “pride of China” but banned Blitz that they are pro-china and political speech that is pro-china is juuuuust fine. Chinese propaganda = GOOD. Democracy = BAN.
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If theres no political pressure then why wont Blizzard simply openly admit it?
I mean were not asking them to admit they broke the law simply just that will they publically support the fundamental rights of people for voicing an opinion
It’s one of those things where people have been like “the rules weren’t clear at all and it’s not fair” but the guy said himself he knew he was going to get in trouble for it. And I think the two casters diving under the desk in lieu of cutting the broadcast spoke pretty loudly for itself as well.
However, you’ll notice that even though he was wearing the attire that showed sentiment about the situation in Hong Kong, that wasn’t the issue, it was hi jacking the platform against the rules that were set that caused the issue.
If people wanted to stream in their pro HK protest stuff, there wouldn’t be an issue, just like where gay pride pins, or other things doesn’t really cause trouble.
My biggest issue with this blow up is that it focuses on all the wrong things anyways. We have this huge opportunity for a call for action to make for a better situation and even congress isn’t focused correctly. We honestly should be thankful that blizzard goofed and laid such a heavy ban hammer on this issue because there were so many people who didn’t even know this was going on in HK.
Boycotting blizzard, protesting blizzard and attacking streamers or people who work there 99.9% of whom, had nothing to do with the punishment incurred, doesn’t help HK. This momentum could be used to help fund people who aren’t going to their jobs to protest, or talking to our own governments about intervening and trying to help out a fellow country in need and instead it’s focused on the people who made a sacrifice of their professional careers to bring light to a terrible situation. The sentence was already lightened, and the money given back (which was my biggest grievance about it, because they did the work and won the competition fair and square), which was a good step. If they totally remove any punishment, it’s an open invitation to use all their platforms for political speech with no ramifications, and if they do after repealing this one, they’ll go “OH, well this matter doesn’t matter as much as THAT matter, huh?”
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I agree completely. I mean I have said numerous times, but I will say it again, I 100000% support what he did. It was worth the punishment and I am absolutely certain he agrees. The only thing in these threads that bother me is the “BAD BLIZZARD RABBLE RABBLE” rather than addressing the real issues by contacting our congressional representatives/donating to charities to help the people of HK/etc.
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Angry? No. Not at all. A little astonished? A bit surprised? A tad dumbfounded? Yes.
Settle down. Relax. Calm down.
They literally already did that. You and others are just refusing to acknowledge that because you’re convinced that they’re ‘lying’ even though you can’t present any evidence supporting the accusation.
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True, but checking out and following through on the link I’ve linked in this thread multiple times WILL help the people in HK.
And if Blizz wants a “no political speech” thing going on, then they need to NOT DO IT THEMSELVES. But nooope, they won’t retract that pro-china tweet so that says everything that needs to be said about Blizz’s priorities. Chinese propaganda = Good, Anti-Chinese propaganda = BAN BAN BAN NO POLITICAL SPEECH By the way did you know how awesome China is guys?!?!
Freaking Blizz and their double standards.
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The “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019” recently passed the house, so there is already something happening government-wise.
Exactly Blizzard should lead by example instead of trying to allow the politics to dictate their decision
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I just read the bill and it does not seem to have much to do with helping Hong Kong at all…at least in regards to China.
"This bill addresses Hong Kong’s status under U.S. law and imposes sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong. (Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system.)
The Department of State shall certify annually to Congress as to whether Hong Kong warrants its unique treatment under various treaties, agreements, and U.S. law. The analysis shall evaluate whether Hong Kong is upholding the rule of law and protecting rights enumerated in various documents, including (1) the agreement between the United Kingdom and China regarding Hong Kong’s return to China, and (2) the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The bill extends existing annual reporting requirements on matters of U.S. interest in Hong Kong through 2027 and expands such reports to include assessments of (1) limits to Hong Kong’s autonomy, either self-imposed or due to China’s actions; and (2) whether rescission of Hong Kong’s special treatment would further erode Hong Kong’s autonomy.
The President shall annually report to Congress on Hong Kong’s enforcement of U.S. export controls, including whether items of U.S. origin have been used for mass surveillance in China and whether Hong Kong has been used to evade sanctions on North Korea or Iran.
The State Department shall notify Congress if any proposed or enacted law in Hong Kong negatively impacts U.S. interests, including by putting U.S. citizens at risk of rendition to China.
The President shall impose property and visa-blocking sanctions on foreign persons responsible for gross human rights violations in Hong Kong."
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It is unusual. Sorry for the direct response.
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For me, it was the punishment did not fit the crime. Blizz has punished players in the past for doing similar things, but those players got a slap on the wrist compared to this. One got banned for 4 games, not even a full day. Then the PR statement about defending China’s honor above all else. Yeah… not so good there.
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Yeah its not about the fact they enforced the rules its the manner in how they went about it and the less than obvious attempt to remain objectively neutral regarding this one issue
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Blizzard: NO POLITICAL STUFF!
Also Blizzard: https://twitter.com/blizzard_ent/status/1134509599208484864?lang=en
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Blizzard exercising their free speech rights while banning people for using theirs… I felt inspired and made this.
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