Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Workplace discrimination and harassment allegations
A California civil-rights lawsuit against Activision Blizzard alleged discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The allegations led to employee demonstrations, public criticism, investigations, leadership changes, and continuing legal and regulatory scrutiny.
2021
Activision Blizzard employees stage walkout over leadership response to lawsuit
Public backlash
Hundreds of Activision Blizzard employees held a company-wide walkout in Irvine on July 28, protesting leadership's response to a California lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, pay disparities, and a “frat boy” culture. Employees also called for changes including ending mandatory arbitration clauses and adopting recruiting guidelines to improve representation.
Source excerpt
Hundreds of employees stood across a couple blocks in Irvine, Calif. just outside Blizzard Entertainment.
They're also here for a company-wide walkout that was organized following an explosive California lawsuit that detailed wide-ranging sexual harassment, pay disparities, "frat boy" culture, and more at the video games publisher.
The mood outside of Blizzard Entertainment on Wednesday, July 28, is a bit bittersweet.
2021
Activision Blizzard responded to California lawsuit
Company response
Activision Blizzard issued a statement criticizing the DFEH investigation and disputing its descriptions of Blizzard’s past. The company also said it had made workplace changes, expanded reporting channels, and introduced an Employee Relations team.
Company response
Denial — Activision Blizzard
The DFEH includes distorted, and in many cases false, descriptions of Blizzard's past.
Remediation — Activision Blizzard
Over the past several years and continuing since the initial investigation started, we've made significant changes to address company culture and reflect more diversity within our leadership teams.
Investigation — Activision Blizzard
We take every allegation seriously and investigate all claims.
Source excerpt
Over the past several years and continuing since the initial investigation started, we've made significant changes to address company culture and reflect more diversity within our leadership teams.
Activision Blizzard issued a lengthy response statement to The Verge that mainly hit out at the investigation by the DFEH.
在彭博社的报道中，起诉文件也一同曝光，详细描述了暴雪内部女性员工受到的性骚扰以及同工不同酬等恶劣待遇。
2019
Hearthstone Hong Kong player controversy
Blizzard suspended a professional player after a political statement during a broadcast and initially withheld prize money. The decision generated criticism about free expression, corporate policy, and Blizzard's commercial relationship with China; Blizzard subsequently reduced the penalty.
2019
Blizzard faces backlash over Blitzchung ban
Public backlash
In 2019, Blizzard Entertainment faced backlash from gamers and politicians after Blitzchung received a 12-month ban for supporting a Hong Kong protest. The incident drew criticism over the collision of esports and politics, and calls for a boycott were reported.
Blizzard faced backlash from gamers and politicians after Blitzchung received a 12-month ban for supporting a Hong Kong protest; calls for a boycott were reported.
Source excerpt
Calls for boycott as Blitzchung gets 12-month ban for Hong Kong protest support, forfeits $10,000 prize money
The backlash against Blizzard has been swift, with gamers and politicians weighing in. There has been talk of a boycott, with #blizzardboycott trending on Twitter.
2019
Blizzard Entertainment controversy over Hearthstone player ban
Public backlash
In 2019, Blizzard Entertainment faced public backlash after banning professional Hearthstone player Ng Wai Chung. The ban followed his expression of support for the Hong Kong protests during a live interview. In response to the ban, fans called for a boycott, and Blizzard employees staged a walkout. The event drew criticism toward the company over its handling of the player's ban.
Blizzard faced public backlash after banning professional Hearthstone player Ng Wai Chung following his expression of support for the Hong Kong protests during a live interview. Fans called for a boycott, and Blizzard employees staged a walkout.
Company response
Personnel action — Blizzard Entertainment
On Oct. 12, Blizzard Entertainment President J. Allen Brack released a follow up statement reinstating Chung’s prize money and reducing his ban to six months, “after which time he can compete in the Hearthstone pro circuit again if he so chooses.”
Source excerpt
Blizzard Entertainment, a major gaming firm and the developer of Overwatch and World of Warcraft, is facing fierce backlash after banning professional Hearthstone player Ng Wai Chung, also known as “blitzchung,” for voicing support for the Hong Kong protests during a live post-match interview.
Fans expressed outrage by uninstalling and deleting the game as well as other Blizzard related applications, with #BoycottBlizzard trending worldwide on Twitter.
On Oct. 12, Blizzard Entertainment President J. Allen Brack released a follow up statement reinstating Chung’s prize money and reducing his ban to six months, “after which time he can compete in the Hearthstone pro circuit again if he so chooses.”
2019
Blizzard CEO apologizes over handling of Hong Kong protest
Company response
At BlizzCon on November 1, 2019, Blizzard Entertainment CEO J. Allen Brack apologized for the company's handling of its punishment of a player who voiced support for the Hong Kong protests. Brack said the company had moved too quickly in its decision-making and too slowly in speaking with fans. The apology addressed criticism over how Blizzard responded to the player's expression of support for the protests.
At BlizzCon on November 1, Blizzard CEO J. Allen Brack apologized for the company’s handling of its punishment of a player who voiced support for the Hong Kong protests, saying the company had moved too quickly in its decision-making and too slowly in speaking with fans.
Company response
Apology — Blizzard
This year, it kicked off with an apology. Blizzard chief executive J. Allen Brack took to the stage at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday to address the roiling controversy around the company’s early October punishment of a player who spoke out in support of the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Source excerpt
This year, it kicked off with an apology. Blizzard chief executive J. Allen Brack took to the stage at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday to address the roiling controversy around the company’s early October punishment of a player who spoke out in support of the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
“Blizzard had the opportunity to bring the world together,” Brack said. “We did not. We moved too quickly in our decision making, and then, to make matters worse, we were too slow to talk with all of you.”
Gamers in attendance and those watching the live-stream witnessed J. Allen Brack, President of Blizzard, stand on stage and express regret.
2019
Blizzard president addresses Hong Kong controversy
Company response
At the opening ceremonies of BlizzCon, Blizzard Entertainment president J. Allen Brack addressed the controversy involving Blitzchung and Hong Kong. Brack stated that Blizzard had failed to meet its own standards and purpose. He apologized and accepted accountability for the company's handling of the matter.
Company response
Apology — Blizzard
And for that I’m sorry, and I accept accountability
Source excerpt
For that I accept responsibility and I am sorry.
Blizzard Entertainment started the BlizzCon 2019 opening ceremony with an apology to their fans and the gaming community from Blizzard CEO J. Allen Brack. Blizzard recently banned a Hearthstone player that expressed pro-Hong Kong views.