The bigger problem above all is the fact that unchecked greed has trickled into society, and has left people making decisions based on, effectively, money. Younger folks worldwide are fighting back against that, but it doesn’t change the fact that society has valued wealth more than character for many years.
I am angry not at Blizzard, but at the leadership of Blizzard.
However, I do understand the implications of not just allowing any particular person affiliated with Blizzard say things that will affect the company. It's really not that black & white.
Like if you're Blizzard...if you don't do something about what Blitzchung said, then it opens up to other things that people could say while under contract with Blizzard. If somebody says something anti-China and that's allowed, then they can't necessarily apply it to other situations. It comes down to consistency with the company.
Call me out if you like, even though I adamantly believe in what the Hong Kong Protestors are doing. I think it's great that they're putting their ideals on the table, and are working to make a difference. I think that matches up with values of choice and taking power into their own hands rather than relying on the old people who make (bad) decisions for others.
While I disagree, I see why Blizzard has that policy in place, though it sent a message that, for all we know, the CEO and leadership of Blizzard may not have meant. But when you send out that "apology" and don't really apologize, it's just a bad look.
I do think it comes down to money, but I don't think all of Blizzard should be cast to the void. The employees in the company have allowed their position to be heard on the subject. I still believe in the ideals that characters like Winston & Tracer believe in, despite the ideals of people who make money off of them. It's frustrating, and you'd never wish to be in that situation.
Luckily, aside from Overwatch I don't really play other Blizzard games. I also don't really plan to purchase loot boxes in OW any time soon, considering I haven't done the Halloween event yet, and the only skin I'd want is the Tracer one.
Bleh. It's unfortunate when the most influential color in the world today is green, and not even in the sense that the we love and care for the natural world.
