Activison Blizzard bans character from Overwatch play
Blizzard fans were outraged yesterday when another person associated with the Hong Kong Liberation movement was stuck with an unusually harsh punishment. Unlike earlier in the week, however, it wasn’t an outspoken player with Hearthstone or even a player of one of Blizzard’s games. Thanks to her recent art depicting her as part of the Hong Kong Liberation movement, Overwatch character Mei-Ling Zhou has been banned from the meta and tournaments in Overwatch itself until further notice.
The official press notice from Activision Blizzard reads as follows:
During the current Twitch broadcast streaming over the weekend, there was a blatant rule violation during an in-game play involving casual Overwatch play, which has resulted in the removal of all streaming involving the character.
Upon further review, we have found the action has violated the 2019 Overwatch Official Competition Rules section 6.1 (o) and is individual behavior that does not represent Blizzard or Overwatch Esports. 6.1 (o) is found below.
2019 Overwatch® OFFICIAL COMPETITION RULES v1.4 p.12, Section 6.1 (o)
Engaging in any act that, in Blizzard’s sole discretion, brings you into public disrepute, offends a portion or group of the public, or otherwise damages Blizzard image will result in removal from the Overwatch game and reduction of the character’s yearly salary to $0.00 USD, in addition to other remedies which may be provided for under the Handbook and Blizzard’s Website Terms.
Overwatch is the highest tier of Esports, and we take rule violations very seriously. After an investigation, we are taking the necessary actions to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Effective immediately, Mei is removed from Overwatch and will receive no pay for 2019. Additionally, Mei is ineligible to participate in Overwatch esports for 12 months beginning from Oct. 5th, 2019, and extending to Oct. 5th, 2020. We will also immediately cease working with all Twitch users.
We’d like to re-emphasize character and player conduct within the Overwatch esports community from both players and talent. While we stand by one’s right to express individual thoughts and opinions, players and other participants that elect to participate in our esports competitions must abide by the official competition rules.
We reached out for comment from Mei herself. According to Ms. Zhou, she had done nothing actually wrong.
“In response to Blizzard’s banning of player Blitzchung, I became a meme for the Hong Kong Independence movement,” she explained, drinking a cup of hot cocoa during our interview, “I didn’t even wear anything provocative, or make any statements.” Setting her cup down, she added, “The rest of the cast has been very supportive, though. Lena [Tracer] has offered I crash at her place while this is sorted out, and John [Soldier 76] has sworn to pull a raid on Activision Blizzard in a few days if this isn’t sorted out.”
When asked if she herself supported the movement, Mei did not make any official on the record statements. However, she did say the following:
“Hypothetically, only a monster or an idiot would choose to side with a country whose human rights violations span decades and form the foundation of the suppression of their entire population. I myself am neither. Hypothetically speaking, of course.”
Activision Blizzard could not be reached for comment at this time.
Note: The image of Mei-Ling Zhou as a protestor comes from Redditor Yuumei.
