Blizzard needs to stand for human rights in Hong Kong

On October 6, during a post-game interview on the Hearthstone Grandmasters stream in Taiwan, Hong Kong-based player Chung “Blitzchung” Ng Wai donned a gas mask and said “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our age!”, a popular slogan of the ongoing Hong Kong protests, before the stream quickly cut away. The following day, Blizzard Entertainment announced that Blitzchung would be removed from the Grandmasters league, rescinded all of his prize money, and banned him from competition for a whole year, in addition to barring business with the two other casters involved.

Massive controversy emerged. Many viewed the severe punishment of Blitzchung as the suppression of human rights and free speech by an American company in order to appease the Chinese government and maintain its market access. The issue followed a parallel controversy with the NBA, which cost them billions in lost revenue, demonstrating how China exercises its immense economic power to enforce propaganda and censorship. Furthermore, the event showed that Blizzard is willing to surrender its values and principles, and punish those who disagree with China in the name of commerce.

After five days of widespread vitriol, protests, and boycotts, Blizzard president J. Allen Brack made a contentious public statement which reaffirmed their company values, and offered to reduce the suspensions of all parties involved down to six months alongside returning Blitzchung’s prize money. However, he also reiterated that their relationships in China “had no influence on our decision,” and said that “if this had been the opposing viewpoint delivered in the same divisive and deliberate way, we would have felt and acted the same.”

Apoliticism is a dangerous game for companies to play, especially when seemingly “neutral” decisions can often have serious implications and consequences in the real world. Like the Nuremberg Laws and the 1936 Berlin Olympics, silence and appeasement to international dictatorships unwittingly side with the oppressor, and Blizzard has sent the message of intimidation and retaliation to anyone who supports democracy in Hong Kong. While they certainly never asked for this controversy, Blizzard’s actions have placed them firmly at the center of an international political crisis due to their support for an oppressive authoritarian regime.

If last year’s BlizzCon was damaging to their reputation and credibility, then this year will be absolutely cataclysmic. Major protests are already being organized on and off the show floor, likely rife with images of Hong Kong and Winnie the Pooh, backed by the passionate anger of their former fans. With so much hostility and pressure bearing upon Blizzard, it would be prudent to say that November 1 could decide the ultimate fate and identity of Blizzard Entertainment moving forwards. Will they continue to abide by censorship and Chinese money, or stand for human rights and a free Hong Kong?

Naturally, this extends beyond the purview of any one company, and it might be foolish to expect a multi-billion dollar video game company to behave like human beings. Rather, this issue tests how willingly a democratic country like ours tolerates the Chinese government and their violent crackdown of anti-government protests in Hong Kong, the forced re-education and cultural genocide of Uygher Muslims, and the systemic organ harvesting of prisoners and dissidents in China. For Blitzchung, he decided to speak out for the rights and freedoms of his city. For the rest of us, it falls into our hands, and into the hands of our elected representatives to act through protests, boycotts, and sanctions. We all have a responsibility to stand up against injustice and tyranny wherever it arises.