You wiill find below an analysis and different element concerning this new trending hashtag and the reasons behind Activision's decision to ban a player and take its latests gains.
@steemmonsters and Gods Unchained !Activision Blizzard Inc. suspended an esports competitor from one of its tournaments for backing antigovernment protesters in Hong Kong as tensions intensify between Beijing and the National Basketball Association over a similar expression of support.
Activision Blizzard, one of the world's biggest videogame companies, on Tuesday said in a blog post that "Hearthstone" competitor Ng Wai Chung, known as "Blitzchung" in the game, violated its rules that bar players from actions it considers offensive to a public group or that could damage the company's image.
The gamer, in a live online interview after winning a match on Sunday, said "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time," a slogan commonly associated with the protests. He wore a gas mask and goggles while he spoke. Hong Kong last week banned protesters from wearing masks.
Activision Blizzard said the player, who had no immediate comment, won't be allowed to compete in the second season of the digital card game's Grandmasters competition and will be banned from playing any of the game's company-run competitions for one year. He also lost the $7,000 awarded for making it into the tournament's second season plus the chance to win up to $200,000 in prize money.
"Hearthstone" is one of the most popular franchises from the company's Blizzard Entertainment unit. It launched in 2014 and is played on computers and mobile devices.
Especially those who who claim Beijing is exerting ever-more political control over the city -- has become a minefield for companies. The chief executive of Hong Kong's flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., resigned in August after criticism from Beijing because some airline employees participated in the protests.
In recent years, Activision Blizzard has invested significant resources into building out its presence in esports. In addition hosting "Hearthstone" tournaments, it runs professional leagues around its blockbuster franchises "Call of Duty" and "Overwatch." Chinese videogame giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. has a 4.9% stake in Activision Blizzard.
