Popular video game developer Blizzard Entertainment has banned a professional gamer from competing in tournaments for a year and stripped him of his prize money after he voiced support for Hong Kong protesters.
Ng Wai Chung, who goes by Blitzchung and lives in Hong Kong, wore a gas mask and goggles in a live interview Sunday during the Hearthstone Asia-Pacific Grandmasters Tournament and said, “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our age.” The mask is a symbol of the Hong Kong protest movement, which started in June against an extradition bill.
[BREAKING] Hong Kong Hearthstone player @blitzchungHS calls for liberation of his country in post-game interview:https://t.co/3AgQAaPioj
@Matthieist #Hearthstone pic.twitter.com/DnaMSEaM4g
— ? Inven Global ? (@InvenGlobal) October 6, 2019
Blizzard, the company behind World of Warcraft, said Blitzchung violated tournament rules that prohibit players from “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’s image. The penalty is removal from the tournament and a loss of prize money.
“Grandmasters is the highest tier of Hearthstone Esports and we take tournament rule violations very seriously,” Blizzard Entertainment said in a statement. “After an investigation, we are taking the necessary actions to prevent similar actions from happening in the future.”
Blitzchung will not be able to participate in Hearthstone tournaments until Oct. 5, 2020.
“While we stand by one’s right to express individual thoughts and opinions, players and other participants that elect to participate in our esports competitions must abide by the official competition rules,” the company said.
Blitzchung defended his comment in a statement to Inven Global, an esports news site, saying that “there are serious protests in my country now.”
“My call on stream was just another form of participation of the protest that I wish to grab more attention,” he said.
Blizzard’s decision to punish the player has come under scrutiny by the gaming community and U.S. lawmakers, who accused the company of cowering to China to protect its bottom line.
“Recognize what’s happening here. People who don’t live in #China must either self censor or face dismissal & suspensions,” Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted. “China using access to market as leverage to crush free speech globally. Implications of this will be felt long after everyone in U.S. politics today is gone.”
Recognize what’s happening here. People who don’t live in #China must either self censor or face dismissal & suspensions. China using access to market as leverage to crush free speech globally. Implications of this will be felt long after everyone in U.S. politics today is gone. https://t.co/Cx3tkWc7r6
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) October 8, 2019
Sen. Ron Wyden said California-based Blizzard “shows it is willing to humiliate itself to please the Chinese Communist Party. No American company should censor calls for freedom to make a quick buck.”
Blizzard shows it is willing to humiliate itself to please the Chinese Communist Party. No American company should censor calls for freedom to make a quick buck. https://t.co/rJBeXUiwYS
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) October 8, 2019
Blizzard’s move comes after Daryl Morey, general manager of the Houston Rockets basketball team, tweeted support for the Hong Kong protests, prompting backlash from the Chinese government and the Chinese Basketball Association to sever ties with the team.
Morey deleted his tweet, which said, “Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong,” and the NBA issued a statement distancing itself from the message. The league said it recognized the tweet “deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China.”
But on Tuesday, as the NBA found itself at the center of controversy over its statement, league Commissioner Adam Silver said Morey “is supported in terms of his ability to exercise his freedom of expression.”
