Blizzard in a storm:D Lots of negative comments everywhere about Blizzard's behavior. Maybe it is a good time for Gog to make an official statement about this sort of matters.

https://www.reddit.com/r/classicwow/comments/dez4yc/breaking_blizzard_entertainment_bans_pro/

While I agree that all the backlash Blizzard will receive for this is deserved, I think the best thing GOG can do is stay away from politics.

Blizzard arguably has the right to do that, but it's 100% overreaction on their part the backlash is IMO justified. It's like arguing politics in this forum and GOG respond by terminating your account and access to your games.

And there goes my subscription for WoW Classic and my future purchases In Starcraft II and Warcraft III: Reforged. Been a loyal customer who more or less purchased anything with their brand on it, but that ends now.

This one was spot on.

This one had a different flavor.

Technically, the player broke a rule by making a political statement. Taking away his hard earned prize money and banning him and the announcers as well was way overkill though. Seriously, when all they did was take down the stream most people just shrugged.

But this? Too far Blizzard, too far...

It's sad to see a former great company like Blizzard bend its knees to their Chinese overlords. Hopefully Blizz will realize their mistake and reinstate the player but more likely China demands full obedience from Blizz. As an aside: the rules or tos for these players are just insane and so vague that anything can be deemed an infraction of the rules and your price money can be withheld.

It's a scary environment to work it I would think.

Nope. GOG or anybody, should stay the hell away from matters that don't involve or concern them, directly. Nasty things can happen to meddlesome, sniffing pokers, especially without reason, cause, or former "provocation". Trust me, on that one.

As Smiling Jack says: "Politics; now, that's the stuff that will kill you!"

Besides, GOG itself "hates" politics and even imposed a "rule" for everybody, to stay out of it. It would be a shame to go back on its own set of values.

Gog? Why should they jump in another controversy themselves?

Btw, all these events are a worrying sign about the rising chinese influence in western companies.
If these entities will even start lobbying to please such country, say goodbye to democracy.

I hope HK will succeed, but.. they're just normal people fighting alone against a tyrannic giant. They have few chances.
And I doubt any country will interfere, due to the fear of economic repercussions or to avoid causing another world war.

And about the people's solidarity on socials.. it's heartwarming.
But also cheap.. and I wonder how many will boycott for real those companies in the end.
We've already seen the average integrity of gamers in the past.

I can understand that Blizzard don't want to lose the market, they're a business after all and it may have been against the rules. But they've just shot themselves in the foot with their clear overreaction.

The World has gone mad, they are all too scared to offend the Chinese and are using loop holes to save face because they want to keep getting the big dollars.

Political statements have been made in tournaments before, no consequences. China gets special treatment as it seems.

I didn't mean for Gog to make a political statement but a statement on the issue of banning due to a political statement. What will Gog do if a Gwent streamer tomorrow makes a political statement to support Hong Kong protesters? Will they close his account and take back any prizes he has won?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztVMib1T4T4

I bet if he would've made a positive statement about chinese gov. there wouldn't be any problem.
I hope backlash is going to be very painful for Bliz.
For now I'm not buing anything from them anymore :/