One Angry Gamer

Activision/Blizzard Seek Approval in China as Protestors Abandon Hong Kong

Kevin

With protests against Blizzard no longer the trendiest thing to wear Activision/Blizzard are once again attempting to get their COD mobile title approved for distribution in China. China’s recent regulation only permitting children to spend a limited amount of money a month while also limiting the time they are allowed to play games has apparently not deterred the company’s motivation.

Nor does China’s social credit system — which will actively punish adults for excessive spending in video games and excessive time spent playing them — appear to have the company rethinking their plans to capitalize on the Chinese market.

Meanwhile despite analysts, politicians, and organizations pointing out how Blizzard tossed out western values in exchange for access to the Chinese markets “gamers” are beginning to return to Blizzards games.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Blizzard took that action to protect or expand its position inside China,” American Charlie Moseley, head of the Chengdu Gaming Federation in western China, said. “There’s only a very small number of developers and publishers which will even have the opportunity to get inside China. And Blizzard is on that small list.”

This really is the problem when your virtue is seasonal. A few months ago everyone was in solidarity with Blitzchung and the protesters in Hong Kong, who believed they had found allies who would help them preserve their democratic institutions and way of life.

Now as people are being rounded up and shipped off on trains, those who previously painted themselves as allies of democratic values now can’t even bother to simply switch products and companies. Find new communities and become a part of them.

If I were an evil oligarch or part of the ruling elite I don’t think I’d be too concerned about the rabble posing much of a threat when they can’t even switch their entertainment for equal or better alternatives. Call me a cynical mastermind, but that kind of resistance isn’t going anywhere.