The scandal just keeps piling up at this company…

VICE reports that Blizzard issued suspensions for three more Hearthstone players after they openly expressed their support towards the protesters in Hong Kong when they hold up a sign that said „Free Hong Kong! Boycott Blizz[ard].” The three players were the Hearthstone team of the American University (AU; the players are called Casey Chambers, Corwin Dark, and TJammer, whose real name is unknown). The team – after being provocative with their behaviour – has quit the competition shortly after in protest.

Blizzard was silent for about a week about this case, which is why those who criticise them dubbed the company inconsistent because while Blitzchung got serious penalties (which were later reduced), this team got nothing. (Also, things get more piquant when we add that Blitzchung is from Taiwan, and let’s just say that the China-Taiwan relations aren’t quite rosy either…) Until now: Chamber wrote the following on Twitter: „Happy to announce the AU Hearthstone team received a six-month ban from competition. While delayed I appreciate all players being treated equally and no one being above the rules.”

Let’s see Blizzard‘s official statement as well: „During week 4 of the Fall 2019 Hearthstone Collegiate Championships, players GiantDwarf, TJammer and Xcelsior violated section 7.1.B of the Hearthstone Collegiate Championship rules for engaging in behaviour disruptive to the official eSports broadcast. The players are disqualified from the ongoing tournament and will be ineligible to participate in Hearthstone eSports for 6 months, beginning from October 8th, 2019 and extending to April 8th, 2020. Following the 6 months suspension, the players may, at their discretion, continue to participate in Hearthstone eSports.”

After all this, it’s going to be interesting to see if Blizzard proves that they do not kowtow to China…

Source: WCCFTech

Just a little message for @PlayHearthstone @HSesports #BoycottBlizzard pic.twitter.com/F1fS6lrumI

— Casey Chambers (@Xcelsior_hs) October 9, 2019

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