Blizzard says its ‘relationships in China had no influence on our decision’ to punish an esports athlete who voiced his support for Hong Kong protestors

Blizzard Entertainment

Blizzard CEO J. Allen Brack has issued the company’s first public statement since its decision to ban an esports challenger and withhold his prize money for stirring statements is in favour of demonstrations in Hong Kong at a Blizzard-sponsored event. The company has been accused of prioritizing its relationships with China rather than protecting the right to free speech, which Brack denied: “I want to be clear: our relations in China had no influence on our decision.” Brack said the company’s relations in China were not a factor in the decision to punish Blitzchung, but the initial penalty may have been too harsh. Brack abbreviated Blitzchung’s one-year suspension down to six months, and said it would be giving a suspension of the same length for the two commentators who conducted the interview. Brack also said Blitzchung “should receive his prizing” from the tournament, which “couldve been” several thousand dollars. However, it said Blitzchung and the two broadcasters should have kept the objectives set out in the interview on the event, and that it stood by the decision to take action. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Blizzard Entertainment President J.Allen Brack has issued the company’s first public proclamation since attaining the decision to punish Chung Ng Wai , better known as Blitzchung — a “Hearthstone” esports competitor who spoke out in favour of the objections in Hong Kong.

Brack’s statement pushed back against the accusation that Blizzard stirred the decision to punish Blitzchung in order to protect its business interests in China.See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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See Also 😛 TAGEND A coach in Blizzard’s Overwatch League was told to delete a tweet condemning the company for censoring an esports competitor from Hong KongSome Blizzard employees reportedly walked out to protest the punishment of a ‘Hearthstone’ competitor who spoke up in support of the Hong kong residents protestsBlizzard is under scrutiny from lawmakers, gamers, and maybe even its own employees after penalizing a ‘Hearthstone’ competitor who voiced his support for demonstrators in Hong Kong

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