Riot Games Releases Statement on Hong Kong Protests Ahead of Worlds 2019
John Needham, Riot Games’ global head of League of Legends esports, has addressed the recent situation surrounding the Hong Kong protests in a statement before the start of the Worlds 2019 main event.
In his statement, Needham emphasized the complexity and sensitivity of these topics, stating that they cannot be adequately discussed within the confines of their broadcast. As a result, Riot has reminded its casters and pro players to refrain from discussing these topics on air.
Riot’s Stance on Political and Social Unrest
Highlighting Riot’s concern for its employees and fans who may be experiencing political and social unrest in certain regions, Needham expressed the company’s intention to avoid actions or statements that could potentially escalate sensitive situations.
Riot’s Statement in Response to Blizzard’s Controversial Decision
Riot’s statement was prompted by the controversy surrounding Blizzard’s decision to ban a professional Hearthstone player after he expressed support for the Hong Kong movement. This action from Blizzard sparked debate and criticism from fans and the gaming community.
Addressing Claims of Censorship
Amidst speculation that Riot was censoring casters from mentioning “Hong Kong,” Ryan Rigney, Riot’s communications lead, explicitly denied these accusations, reaffirming Riot’s commitment to open and fair dialogue within the esports community.
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Riot Games, League of Legends, esports, Hong Kong protests, Worlds 2019, statement, controversy, Blizzard, Hearthstone, censorship