Too little, too late.
Via Daily Wire:
Late Friday night, Blizzard Entertainment President J. Allen Brack released a statement regarding the company’s recent punishment of a player for supporting Hong Kong protesters.
Last week, Blizzard suspended professional Hearthstone player Ng “Blitzchung” Wai Chung after the player expressed support for Hong Kong protesters during an after-match interview. Blitzchung appeared on camera wearing a gas mask, which he took off to say, “Liberate Honk Kong, revolution of our age,” in Chinese. The two interviewers hid behind their desk to avoid being associated with the statement.
That didn’t help them, as Blizzard fired the two interviewers. Blitzchung was also suspended from Hearthstone esports tournaments for one year and revoked his prize winnings.
As The Daily Wire’s James Barrett reported Thursday, a backlash against Blizzard ensued.
Friday night, Blizzard backpedaled somewhat on its punishment of the three members of the Hearthstone community. The broadcasters were given a six-month suspension rather than being fired, and Blitzchung’s prize money was reinstated and his suspension was reduced to six months as well.
“At Blizzard, our vision is ‘to bring the world together through epic entertainment,’” Brack wrote. “And we have core values that apply here: Think Globally; Lead Responsibly; and importantly, Every Voice Matters, encouraging everybody to share their point of view. The actions that we took over the weekend are causing people to question if we are still committed to these values.”