It's a response to Blizzard banning Blitzchung and sacking two casters for coming out in support of the Hong Kong protests, essentially. Blizzard is sucking up to the chinese government so Flash put up a symbol of defiance and derision.
The concept of Blizzard wanting politics out of their tournament is a sensible thing, or at least something they are allowed to do.
The issue, to me, is how extreme and final it was. One of the videos I've watched voiced it: it feels like someone representing China (or a Blizz employee full and deep into wanting to appeal to China) flew into a rage and wanted it all stopped RIGHT NOW AND EVERYTHING BURNT TO ASHES!!
As another said: would the response be so crazy if it was pro-China or another political statement? I also don't think so.
If I was a regular player I would probably just be paying close attention and seeing how this goes. But I was already having a hard time finding the time to play and realizing that the Daily System basically means I'm NOT going to be able to keep F2P and have enough gold next expansion, so I was already on my way out. This just helped supply the final nudge. It's a pile of sludge that I COULD wade through but realized I really don't need to.
The one thing I would ask in passing is to PLEASE don't spawn this from attacks against the company into attacks against your fellow players. That some feel it was ok or at least not worth the outcry isn't reason enough to go attack them as an enemy. I already saw one reddit thread that tried to turn it into an attack on streamers who wanted nothing to do with the situation. That's how you turn a strong campaign into a rotten mess while ruining your message (which will help Blizzard greatly).
Keep the focus on the target. Let others do what they do while you do what you do. That's how a good backlash gets results.
FINAL note: on the image at the bottom: well played OOC. Glad I had moved over here. Good luck with the site.
It's a dig at Chinese President Xi Jinping - he was compared to Winnie in a meme and he took offense, so Pooh has been banned in China for the last few years. So naturally it's now re-surging as a protest symbol against him/the Chinese government.
first steps taken. many HS streamers should try to play other games as well and see if they can make a living with other games. i know it must be hard for some, cause not everyone can be like Toast and just quit and still be able to pull massive numbers.
Blizzard might be going down a path that isnt reversable and mainly HS will be the first casualty as i forsee many players dropping the game UNLESS Blizzard retracts or makes a the bans softer.
I mean the casters being banned as well is crazy and way to extremist even if u pull the "oh we dont deal with politics so our player was banned" SO WHAT DO THE CASTERS HAVE TO DO WITH THE PLAYER PROTEST?
I have everything but Betrug - how necessary is he in this deck? Obviously he’d be good but does not having him break the deck? If not what is a good replacement?
Kibler is right, though. Most casters, streamers and probably even Blizzard employees are innocent (and this comes from a guy who loved to hate on Blizzard for the majority of 2018). There was a thread on reddit about demanding your personal information from Blizzard to overload them and give them expenses as protest, but I think that will just make some grunt's life miserable.
Personally, I think voting with your wallets is the way to go. Or with your time if your wallet is already not spent in HS.
I suspect we'll see some additional announcements from people. I half wouldn't be surprised at this point if one of the GM players pulls out just to really light up the fire under Blizzard.
I can't imagine we go much longer without some kind of statement from Blizzard. I'd hate to be in their PR department right now.
The Chinese president can't stand being compared to Winnie the Pooh. AFAIK the name is censored quite heavily on the chinese internet. I assume Flux put Winnie there as a silent protest against Blizzard tacitly enforcing chinese censorship on their platform.
I was pretty sure that was a time-limited offer, but according to the HS wiki to this day, the first WotOG pack you crack open has a C'thun in it.
That said, the power of the card has petered off quite a bit in comparison with what's possible in 2019 hearthstone. C'thun is slow and a bit underwhelming.
now that there is a curropt garrosh portrait i kinda wanted to play c'thun warrior but i don't have c'thun. Now i remember back in the day you would get c'thun and beckoner of evil for free when you opened you first wotog pack.
My question is if anyone knows if it still applies today. so if i buy let's say 15 wotog packs do i get c'thun and beckoner of evil for free or not?
I never openend a wotog pack on the account i am currently playing on.
Did anyone notice Pooh bear at the bottom of the page?
Actually, that winnie the pooh is at the bottom of every page. It's a little weird.
The Chinese president can't stand being compared to Winnie the Pooh. AFAIK the name is censored quite heavily on the chinese internet. I assume Flux put Winnie there as a silent protest against Blizzard tacitly enforcing chinese censorship on their platform.
Did anyone notice Pooh bear at the bottom of the page?
Actually, that winnie the pooh is at the bottom of every page. It's a little weird.
It's a dig at Chinese President Xi Jinping - he was compared to Winnie in a meme and he took offense, so Pooh has been banned in China for the last few years. So naturally it's now re-surging as a protest symbol against him/the Chinese government.
Whats with WInnie the Pooh at the bottom of the site?
It's a response to Blizzard banning Blitzchung and sacking two casters for coming out in support of the Hong Kong protests, essentially. Blizzard is sucking up to the chinese government so Flash put up a symbol of defiance and derision.
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
Good on you Kibler
Blitchung kicked out of GM
The concept of Blizzard wanting politics out of their tournament is a sensible thing, or at least something they are allowed to do.
The issue, to me, is how extreme and final it was. One of the videos I've watched voiced it: it feels like someone representing China (or a Blizz employee full and deep into wanting to appeal to China) flew into a rage and wanted it all stopped RIGHT NOW AND EVERYTHING BURNT TO ASHES!!
As another said: would the response be so crazy if it was pro-China or another political statement? I also don't think so.
If I was a regular player I would probably just be paying close attention and seeing how this goes. But I was already having a hard time finding the time to play and realizing that the Daily System basically means I'm NOT going to be able to keep F2P and have enough gold next expansion, so I was already on my way out. This just helped supply the final nudge. It's a pile of sludge that I COULD wade through but realized I really don't need to.
The one thing I would ask in passing is to PLEASE don't spawn this from attacks against the company into attacks against your fellow players. That some feel it was ok or at least not worth the outcry isn't reason enough to go attack them as an enemy. I already saw one reddit thread that tried to turn it into an attack on streamers who wanted nothing to do with the situation. That's how you turn a strong campaign into a rotten mess while ruining your message (which will help Blizzard greatly).
Keep the focus on the target. Let others do what they do while you do what you do. That's how a good backlash gets results.
FINAL note: on the image at the bottom: well played OOC. Glad I had moved over here. Good luck with the site.
Whats with WInnie the Pooh at the bottom of the site?
It's a dig at Chinese President Xi Jinping - he was compared to Winnie in a meme and he took offense, so Pooh has been banned in China for the last few years. So naturally it's now re-surging as a protest symbol against him/the Chinese government.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/07/china-bans-winnie-the-pooh-film-to-stop-comparisons-to-president-xi
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
It is very eloquently written. I really appreciate the explanations and that he sees the different sides too.
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
The last paragraph is just so well put. Hopefully people have the attention span to read through to the end and follow that advice.
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
Kudos to Brian for taking a stand against Blizzard. They made a poor choice in siding with China profits over players.
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
I wasn't expecting less from Kibler to be honest, and he will not be the only one with this decision.
I'm sure this is just the begin of a very bad time for blizzard.
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
BlizzCon is in 3 weeks. If they don't change their position, they'll have some very awkward moments there.
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
I highly respect Mr. Kibler for that decision.
Nothing more to add from my side.
Whats with WInnie the Pooh at the bottom of the site?
Because Winnie the Pooh is banned in China.
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
first steps taken. many HS streamers should try to play other games as well and see if they can make a living with other games. i know it must be hard for some, cause not everyone can be like Toast and just quit and still be able to pull massive numbers.
Blizzard might be going down a path that isnt reversable and mainly HS will be the first casualty as i forsee many players dropping the game UNLESS Blizzard retracts or makes a the bans softer.
I mean the casters being banned as well is crazy and way to extremist even if u pull the "oh we dont deal with politics so our player was banned" SO WHAT DO THE CASTERS HAVE TO DO WITH THE PLAYER PROTEST?
N'Zoth Quest Warlock
I have everything but Betrug - how necessary is he in this deck? Obviously he’d be good but does not having him break the deck? If not what is a good replacement?
Thanks!
Whats with WInnie the Pooh at the bottom of the site?
title
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
Good God... They did it twice.
Kibler is right, though. Most casters, streamers and probably even Blizzard employees are innocent (and this comes from a guy who loved to hate on Blizzard for the majority of 2018). There was a thread on reddit about demanding your personal information from Blizzard to overload them and give them expenses as protest, but I think that will just make some grunt's life miserable.
Personally, I think voting with your wallets is the way to go. Or with your time if your wallet is already not spent in HS.
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
I suspect we'll see some additional announcements from people. I half wouldn't be surprised at this point if one of the GM players pulls out just to really light up the fire under Blizzard.
I can't imagine we go much longer without some kind of statement from Blizzard. I'd hate to be in their PR department right now.
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
Good for him, and with him being the first to take this step I wonder how many others if any at all will also be stepping away.
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
And that's why I like Brian so much. Principled action with temperance and explanation, as well as a request not to take it out on others.
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
Brian is an angel.
Brian Kibler No Longer Comfortable Casting Grandmasters Finals at BlizzCon, No Involvement Going Forward
Good for you Kibler, I'm glad he acknowledged that not everyone is in the same spot he's in while still standing up for his beliefs.
Blitchung kicked out of GM
Damn... That's brilliant!
can you get c'thun for free when you buy wotog packs?
I was pretty sure that was a time-limited offer, but according to the HS wiki to this day, the first WotOG pack you crack open has a C'thun in it.
That said, the power of the card has petered off quite a bit in comparison with what's possible in 2019 hearthstone. C'thun is slow and a bit underwhelming.
can you get c'thun for free when you buy wotog packs?
now that there is a curropt garrosh portrait i kinda wanted to play c'thun warrior but i don't have c'thun. Now i remember back in the day you would get c'thun and beckoner of evil for free when you opened you first wotog pack.
My question is if anyone knows if it still applies today. so if i buy let's say 15 wotog packs do i get c'thun and beckoner of evil for free or not?
I never openend a wotog pack on the account i am currently playing on.
thank you in advance
Blizzard Removes Blitzchung From Grandmasters, Prize Money Taken Away For Anti-China Comments
Blitz didn't make an anti-china comment, he made a pro-democracy comment. Big difference. He's supporting his Homeland, just like anyone should.
Blitchung kicked out of GM
Thanks for clarifying that