Blizzard is facing a swell of criticism for the decision, on Twitter and Reddit as well as from elected officials.
“The rules set at the top within China are trickling into these businesses outside of China ... it shows how global these businesses have become and how important China’s market is to the bottom line,” he said. “Overwatch players who make money streaming themselves playing might make a racist comment or use a homophobic slur, but the scale of punishment for those offenses doesn’t come close to this level of penalty,” Harper said. And racist and homophobic comments are “more culturally troubling, so Blizzard’s response is very telling and kind of sad.”
China nurtured homegrown companies that built separate search engines, phones and other digital infrastructure for the country and has long blocked easy access to Facebook, Twitter and other platforms that provide global reach. But gaming companies hosting multinational esports tournaments provide a rare space where that bifurcation between China and the rest of the internet is less pronounced, Dube said.
The NBA has sought to expand in China since the 1992 Olympics, and the Rockets have been among the most popular teams in the country since they drafted Yao Ming in 2002. The NBA attempted to distance itself, with Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta tweeting that the general manager “doesn’t speak for the Houston Rockets” and that the Rockets are “not a political organization.”
If they behave this way they are not an American company. They are complicent in rounding up Muslims, HK oppression, suppression of all freedom. To hell with these spineless rectums.
I'm a nationalist because I don't want to live in a world where Communist China can force American companies to parrot their authoritarian talking points
FuckChina
I guess southpark was right
Do we really care what the Chinese Government thinks? I sure don't. One think I can't abide is an entity that utterly failed at population control but then also wants to export those excess people to places like here so they can do the same!
Wow....heavy steps Blizzard. Bite the hands that feed you.
China is a bunch of jerks