The gaming company Blizzard ended up in a storm since the company had shut down a professional player from the online card game "Hearthstone". Ng Wai Chung, known by his alias Blitzchung, was suspended on Monday for expressing his support for the protest movement in Hong Kong in connection with a victory interview in the official competition broadcast.

Suspended one year

The punishment became harsh. One year's suspension and the entire price sum withdrawn. Even the two program managers who interviewed him were turned off for not stopping the statements.

Players raged and brought in some politicians like former presidential aspirant Marco Rubio, which led to Blizzard now reversing something.

Responded too quickly

Blizzard's chairman J Allen Brack writes in a statement that Blitzchung has violated the rules with his statement and that the closures had nothing to do with the company's relations with China. At the same time, he admits that the company reacted too quickly. Blitzchung is allowed to keep his prize money and the suspension from "Hearthstone" contestants is lowered from one year to six months, the same time that the two hosts are turned off.

Blitzchung, in turn, says in a blog post that he is grateful for Blizzard's new decision, although six months is still a long time for him.

“I understand that my actions could focus on something other than the purpose of the event. In the future, I will be more careful about it and express my views or show my support for Hong Kong on my personal platforms, ”he writes.