It's good that Blizzard's president responded instead of staying silent. It's good that they addressed the harshness of the punishment, which was the main concern of a lot of people.
However, even with this reduced punishment, it likely still means Blitzchung is out of GM, since he can't compete for half a year and therefore can't defend his spot or re-qualify for GM by earning money/points in Masters. In the case of the casters, while they are now suspended for 6 months instead of indefinitely, that doesn't guarantee they will be returning, since Blizzard can just decide not to hire them again. So while the new punishments are less unfair, I'm not sure that makes them fair.
What is missing is any indication that they're going to do things differently in the future. Most of the statement is defending their actions. He does say "our process wasn’t adequate", but then doesn't explain how they're going to improve their process.
I agree that this is not an aggro deck, i made some changes, the notorious one is the inclusion of Mountain Giant, and went 22-11 from rank 4 to rank 2 with 3 stars. I was surprise how well Mountain Giant perform in a tempo mage deck.
so community stikl cry like baby blizzard did what the community want ( its really stupid blizzard did it because from now on community is deciding penalty;s or not nice job) But so stop spamming crap now in chat blizzard listens to you
It's interesting how people find this apology acceptable. Now, what they said is indeed true for the most part, but the punishment not having anything to do with China is a plain lie. Blizzard's Chinese Weibo account clearly stated they were "defending the pride of the nation" with this crackdown on blitzchung. Diablo immortal being half made by a chinese company and Activision wanting their new mobile game approved in China are two big obvious reasons behind Blizzard's eagerness to punish blitzchung.
But if an employee does something that could cause problems for their employer, then employers can take action against this. There's plenty of provisions in statute and case law for employers disciplining employees for bad stuff that they do as an employee. People have been summarily dismissed over less than what these guys did.
Good. I'm sick of corporations pretending to have morals and aligning themselves with what they think we think is right. Blizzard should keep politics and other divisive topics out of their events. Once a topic is no longer divisive, they should continue to keep it out of their events if it's remotely political. Punishing Blitzchung is not "tacit approval of the Chinese government". It's a Discord server owner muting you when you ignore the giant "NO POLITICS" rule and talk about politics.
Witht that said, I think they were too harsh on Blitzchung and I'm glad they're easing up a bit, but I still would've preferred just a warning or a slap on the wrist.
My first and only attempt was with Warrior, with very long Bomb animations and bad drawing-RNG on behalf of the opponent. I managed to Brawl the head of the final boss and won at the same turn thanks to Boom Bots. 29min, 30+seconds for me (which I thought it would be one of the good ones at that time).
Games and sports were always a way to connect countries of different views. It’s about the game and the passion. It shows, no matter what, we can have a common foundation to get together, love and share joy about a common thing. The last few days were really hell for me, because hearthstone ended up as a stage to express political views and like a bush fire every one jumped on this train. I play this game because all of that other “shit” in the world do not matter here.
Anyone claiming there's still corporate interests in this answer is just deluding themselves. Obviously there's corporate interests in their reaction. But it's not a conspiracy thing.
It's pretty simple, the recent actions by Blitzchung and the casters DID require some punishment, for 2 reasons:
1) rules were broken.
2) they cannot allow such a precedent: can you see all the players and casters using Blizz event for their own political agenda? Which is right? Which is wrong? Politics cannot be allowed in these events. Politics is divisive.
Hence why we can only discuss about how harsh the punishment was. Arguing anything else is pointless, and possibly silly.
I personally would have liked to see the official Weibo account denounced. Although not run directly by Blizzard (yeah, sure) they are acting on Blizzards behalf and they definitely took sides.
Would the reaction have been less had this been the decision in the first place? Possibly, but you have to remember it took them 12 months to ban Roger and he was actively cheating.
I dont play any other Blizzard games right now, I was dabbling in wow classic but this has left too bad of a taste to play it. I have spent money on Hearthstone and I enjoy it so not playing it is pointless and I am playing for now. I usually buy every expansion etc but I dont know anymore. When the next expansion hits it might be a good time to bow out. I'm going to watch their reaction and conduct between now and the next expansion, including Blizzcon.
Right now this heavily censored and corporate response is not enough enough to warrant their actions over the last week.
This is a reasonable response that probably meets most of our expectations, but that doesn't make it good or moral.
I've been genuinely inspired by the international solidarity shown by the Hearthstone/Blizzard community. This is somewhat unconnected, but I remember feeling a similar sense of awe and pride several years ago when MMA (a South Korean SC2 player) got a chanting ovation at an early MLG tournament in Columbus, OH. It was this crystallizing moment where it was clear that the fans and community had created something way bigger and more meaningful beyond the company or tournament organizers. I had long known about Brood War's popularity in SK, but I hadn't considered how powerfully these games had connected people from around the world.
Human rights are constantly under attack, whether it's China subjugating Hong Kong, the genocide against the Kurds, or refugee detention camps around the world. There are countless examples, and it's overwhelming for any one person to consider. I certainly turn to video games as a distraction and off switch to the constant flood of the world. However, I do find time to volunteer and organize in my community, and the only thing that makes it possible or bearable is connecting with other people.
I'm generally talking about connecting IRL, but THIS is also one of those communities. I haven't played Hearthstone in days, but I've been checking OutOfCards daily. I hope I contributed to a dip in their daily player rates at the same time casters and employees were bringing their more direct power to bear. Let's be frank: Blizzard Activision is NOT Blizzard. They still make great games, and employ many great people, but it's never going to have that "family" feel from the mid 00s again. It's a massive multi-national that is going to side with profits, shareholder value, and market share over employees, customers, and purported values whenever there's a conflict.
Yet their games are completely dependent on the community. A remarkably organized community. There will undoubtedly be future opportunities to bring pressure on Blizzard over human rights and free expression with China. It may seem small - a proxy battle for geopolitical issues way beyond our control. But think about what this means for blitzchung. Our collective action of international solidarity armed an activist for freedom and democracy with $10,000. Let me tell you as an activist in the U.S. - that can go real far, from mutual aid, to paying organizers, to buying food and supplies for volunteers.
Feel good about this. Feel your part in it. Feel part of the community that made it happen. Carry that energy forward into other projects in your life. Hope is a discipline. Practice whenever you can.
My god. The statement reeks of caring more about their corporate image than any admittance of fault, which by the way, there isn't one. No apology, not even a cynical I'm sorry that you feel that way or we regret the situation. No admonishment of the jingoistic statement on the official Chinese social media account.
Goes to show where their prioritise lie with what they intended with that statement.
I imagine that it at least opens the door for them to come back. Blizzard saves a little face and gives the community just a tiny bit of wiggle room. But most importantly, it at least contains the crisis. Nobody else who wasn't already gone is likely to go, now that they've reacted.
yay...the guy get's what's been earned...i was very disappointed by that part of blizzard's response. boo...blizzard refuses to be honest with us and with itself...really china wasn't at all a factor...whole countries are terrified of china and blizzard's not...that would make them irrationally brave....this cover all the bases kind of statement, a likely attempt to forestall an employee revolt, leaves me unpersuaded and still unsure of my own feelings about hearthstone
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
so that's just a blatant lie.
Jesus Christ, just shut up about it Blizzard, you're only making it worse.
You're not the only company in China's pocket and you certainly won't be the last
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
I have mixed feelings about this.
It's good that Blizzard's president responded instead of staying silent. It's good that they addressed the harshness of the punishment, which was the main concern of a lot of people.
However, even with this reduced punishment, it likely still means Blitzchung is out of GM, since he can't compete for half a year and therefore can't defend his spot or re-qualify for GM by earning money/points in Masters. In the case of the casters, while they are now suspended for 6 months instead of indefinitely, that doesn't guarantee they will be returning, since Blizzard can just decide not to hire them again. So while the new punishments are less unfair, I'm not sure that makes them fair.
What is missing is any indication that they're going to do things differently in the future. Most of the statement is defending their actions. He does say "our process wasn’t adequate", but then doesn't explain how they're going to improve their process.
Apxvoid's Tempo Mage
I agree that this is not an aggro deck, i made some changes, the notorious one is the inclusion of Mountain Giant, and went 22-11 from rank 4 to rank 2 with 3 stars. I was surprise how well Mountain Giant perform in a tempo mage deck.
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
so community stikl cry like baby blizzard did what the community want ( its really stupid blizzard did it because from now on community is deciding penalty;s or not nice job)
But so stop spamming crap now in chat blizzard listens to you
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
Hmmm.. is it me or did we get the same kind of statement just after the card art changes for Headcrack , Secretkeeper etc
Seems China is not influencing Blizzard on a lot of decisions lately.
Malygos Quest Rogue
I'm really struggling around rank 9, I don' know if the aggro decks just have the best starts or its me, any guide is welcome
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
It's interesting how people find this apology acceptable. Now, what they said is indeed true for the most part, but the punishment not having anything to do with China is a plain lie. Blizzard's Chinese Weibo account clearly stated they were "defending the pride of the nation" with this crackdown on blitzchung. Diablo immortal being half made by a chinese company and Activision wanting their new mobile game approved in China are two big obvious reasons behind Blizzard's eagerness to punish blitzchung.
What's your fastest run time in this weeks tavern brawl?
Thanks for the answer file, cheers!
What's your fastest run time in this weeks tavern brawl?
Man I suck. 29 minutes with lazul, double hero power for zero with double deathrattles and lots of sneed's.
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
But if an employee does something that could cause problems for their employer, then employers can take action against this. There's plenty of provisions in statute and case law for employers disciplining employees for bad stuff that they do as an employee. People have been summarily dismissed over less than what these guys did.
What's your fastest run time in this weeks tavern brawl?
Gold is awarded when playing against real players and not NPC.
Meta Breaker - Ganging up on an Unsolved Meta
Sadly, doesn't work for me at all...
What's your fastest run time in this weeks tavern brawl?
27 minutes with Dr.Boom. Bombtastic!
Also, isn't this tavern brawl supposed to award you 10 gold in every three wins? I double checked and it gave nothing.
I find this odd. I can't believe blizzard removed this way of earning gold...
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
Good. I'm sick of corporations pretending to have morals and aligning themselves with what they think we think is right. Blizzard should keep politics and other divisive topics out of their events. Once a topic is no longer divisive, they should continue to keep it out of their events if it's remotely political. Punishing Blitzchung is not "tacit approval of the Chinese government". It's a Discord server owner muting you when you ignore the giant "NO POLITICS" rule and talk about politics.
Witht that said, I think they were too harsh on Blitzchung and I'm glad they're easing up a bit, but I still would've preferred just a warning or a slap on the wrist.
What's your fastest run time in this weeks tavern brawl?
Sure, I guess!?
My first and only attempt was with Warrior, with very long Bomb animations and bad drawing-RNG on behalf of the opponent. I managed to Brawl the head of the final boss and won at the same turn thanks to Boom Bots. 29min, 30+seconds for me (which I thought it would be one of the good ones at that time).
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
Brack doing good? You think you do, but you don't.
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
please cancel blitzchung's penalty first
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
Games and sports were always a way to connect countries of different views. It’s about the game and the passion. It shows, no matter what, we can have a common foundation to get together, love and share joy about a common thing. The last few days were really hell for me, because hearthstone ended up as a stage to express political views and like a bush fire every one jumped on this train. I play this game because all of that other “shit” in the world do not matter here.
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
Anyone claiming there's still corporate interests in this answer is just deluding themselves. Obviously there's corporate interests in their reaction. But it's not a conspiracy thing.
It's pretty simple, the recent actions by Blitzchung and the casters DID require some punishment, for 2 reasons:
1) rules were broken.
2) they cannot allow such a precedent: can you see all the players and casters using Blizz event for their own political agenda? Which is right? Which is wrong? Politics cannot be allowed in these events. Politics is divisive.
Hence why we can only discuss about how harsh the punishment was. Arguing anything else is pointless, and possibly silly.
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
I personally would have liked to see the official Weibo account denounced. Although not run directly by Blizzard (yeah, sure) they are acting on Blizzards behalf and they definitely took sides.
Would the reaction have been less had this been the decision in the first place? Possibly, but you have to remember it took them 12 months to ban Roger and he was actively cheating.
I dont play any other Blizzard games right now, I was dabbling in wow classic but this has left too bad of a taste to play it. I have spent money on Hearthstone and I enjoy it so not playing it is pointless and I am playing for now. I usually buy every expansion etc but I dont know anymore. When the next expansion hits it might be a good time to bow out. I'm going to watch their reaction and conduct between now and the next expansion, including Blizzcon.
Right now this heavily censored and corporate response is not enough enough to warrant their actions over the last week.
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
This is a reasonable response that probably meets most of our expectations, but that doesn't make it good or moral.
I've been genuinely inspired by the international solidarity shown by the Hearthstone/Blizzard community. This is somewhat unconnected, but I remember feeling a similar sense of awe and pride several years ago when MMA (a South Korean SC2 player) got a chanting ovation at an early MLG tournament in Columbus, OH. It was this crystallizing moment where it was clear that the fans and community had created something way bigger and more meaningful beyond the company or tournament organizers. I had long known about Brood War's popularity in SK, but I hadn't considered how powerfully these games had connected people from around the world.
Human rights are constantly under attack, whether it's China subjugating Hong Kong, the genocide against the Kurds, or refugee detention camps around the world. There are countless examples, and it's overwhelming for any one person to consider. I certainly turn to video games as a distraction and off switch to the constant flood of the world. However, I do find time to volunteer and organize in my community, and the only thing that makes it possible or bearable is connecting with other people.
I'm generally talking about connecting IRL, but THIS is also one of those communities. I haven't played Hearthstone in days, but I've been checking OutOfCards daily. I hope I contributed to a dip in their daily player rates at the same time casters and employees were bringing their more direct power to bear. Let's be frank: Blizzard Activision is NOT Blizzard. They still make great games, and employ many great people, but it's never going to have that "family" feel from the mid 00s again. It's a massive multi-national that is going to side with profits, shareholder value, and market share over employees, customers, and purported values whenever there's a conflict.
Yet their games are completely dependent on the community. A remarkably organized community. There will undoubtedly be future opportunities to bring pressure on Blizzard over human rights and free expression with China. It may seem small - a proxy battle for geopolitical issues way beyond our control. But think about what this means for blitzchung. Our collective action of international solidarity armed an activist for freedom and democracy with $10,000. Let me tell you as an activist in the U.S. - that can go real far, from mutual aid, to paying organizers, to buying food and supplies for volunteers.
Feel good about this. Feel your part in it. Feel part of the community that made it happen. Carry that energy forward into other projects in your life. Hope is a discipline. Practice whenever you can.
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
My god. The statement reeks of caring more about their corporate image than any admittance of fault, which by the way, there isn't one. No apology, not even a cynical I'm sorry that you feel that way or we regret the situation. No admonishment of the jingoistic statement on the official Chinese social media account.
Goes to show where their prioritise lie with what they intended with that statement.
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
I imagine that it at least opens the door for them to come back. Blizzard saves a little face and gives the community just a tiny bit of wiggle room. But most importantly, it at least contains the crisis. Nobody else who wasn't already gone is likely to go, now that they've reacted.
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
yay...the guy get's what's been earned...i was very disappointed by that part of blizzard's response. boo...blizzard refuses to be honest with us and with itself...really china wasn't at all a factor...whole countries are terrified of china and blizzard's not...that would make them irrationally brave....this cover all the bases kind of statement, a likely attempt to forestall an employee revolt, leaves me unpersuaded and still unsure of my own feelings about hearthstone
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack Issues Statement on Grandmasters China Controversy
They could have nerfed the punishment a bit more, but I am happy that the dude is getting his money. That part felt really lowdown.