Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Blizzard Entertainment Suspends Competitor After Support For Hong Kong Protests
Los Angeles-based Blizzard Entertainment has been unwillingly pulled into the ongoing political maelstrom in Hong Kong, after one of the competitors in its Hearthstone Grandmasters tournament expressed his support for protesters in Hong Kong on a post-game interview. Chung "Blitzchung" Ng Wai expressed his support for protesters in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has been embroiled in what has been a sometime violent protest against local police and the Chinese government all month. Blizzard has suspended Ng Wai, and also pulled the prize money he would have received as part of the competition. Blizzard's official rules on partipating in its tournament apparently prohibit actions like Ng Wai--particularly relevant as China is a huge part of the viewership and location of many e-sports fans. According to Kotaku, Blitzchung has been banned from taking part in its Hearthstone esports tournaments for 12 months, in addition to the withholding of his prize money.