Blizzard really likes being in that spotlight eh? With the drama surrounding China’s political standpoint, it was only a matter of time before the video game company with a huge Asian fanbase gets into trouble. Around Sunday this week, Hearthstone champion player “Blitzchung” signed off the tournament with a brief mention of his support on the protest of liberating Hong Kong. Because of the comment made, the player is banned from all tournament play for 12 months. As well as his prize money completely rescinded from his grasp.

Now then, what about the casters themselves? You know, completely different individuals that had no control over what Blitzchung was going to say? Those guys have also left their jobs due to the matter.

[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

Since then, the mere image of the company has been hell on ice. Players of multiple IPs of Blizzard have sworn to never touch the games again…

It’s also good to note that a concernable piece of the company is protesting for Both Blitzchung and Hong Kong’s freedom of Speech as well. A hypocritical statement in front of the Blizzard Entertainment building is a statue that says, “every voice matters”. That quote has now been covered up by Employees of the company. As well as some no longer associating with the the establishment as a whole.

Not everyone at Blizzard agrees with what happened.

Both the "Think Globally" and "Every Voice Matters" values have been covered up by incensed employees this morning. pic.twitter.com/I7nAYUes6Q

— Kevin Hovdestad (@lackofrealism) October 8, 2019

Not gonna lie my friends, this is a page in gaming history that can’t be turned back. Being owned by five percent of Chinese titan Tencent, seeing the actions made by them is all too expected. They reached a point in the industry where they clearly care all about the money then their own image. Silencing free speech is one of biggest crimes you can do in this world. Sure you say, they can apologize publicly and give Blitzchung his money. However, the damage is already done. Knowing that they can kiss up to another country if they want to, is just enough of a reason to never support any of their products ever again. Let this be a lesson to the entertainment industry that you can’t remove anyone’s voice from being heard…