World of Warcraft Vanilla Team Lead Mark Kern Explains Why He Joined #BoycottBlizzard
John F. Trent
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World of Warcraft Vanilla Team Lead Mark Kern announced he’s joining the #BoycottBlizzard movement.
Kern explained his reasons for joining the movement after Blizzard condemned, banned, and rescinded the winnings of Hearthstone Grandmasters winner Blitzchung for supporting the protestors in Hong Kong.
Kern posted a lengthy Twitter thread explaining his reasons noting that it “hurts” to boycott the company he used to work for.
This hurts. But until Blizzard reverses their decision on @blitzchungHS I am giving up playing Classic WoW, which I helped make and helped convince Blizzard to relaunch. There will be no Mark of Kern guild after all.
Let me explain why I am #BoycottBlizzard
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
I am ethnically Chinese. I was born in Taiwan and I lived in Hong Kong for a time. I have done buisiness with China for many years, with serveral gaming companies there.
So I think I have a valid perspective here, having been a Team Lead at Blizzard and having grown up in Asia.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
I have watched China slowly take over as the dominant investing force in gaming and movies over the years. It’s a shame US companies never believed as strongly as China and Asia in investing in games, but this allowed China to have unprecedented influence over our media.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
Chinese game companies have grown huge not just because of market size, but because the government subsidizes them. They get free land, free offices, and huge infusions of cash.
This cash was and is used to do expand and buy up stakes in US gaming companies.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
Related: Boycott Blizzard Trends on Twitter
I’ve seen firsthand the corruption of Chinese gaming companies, and I was removed from a company I founded (after Blizzard) for refusing to take a 2 million dollar kickback bribe to take an investment from China. This is the first time I’ve ever spoken pubically about it.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
I’ve also seen how American company reps in China have been offered similar bribes to get licenses for large AAA titles. Not everyone refused like I did.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
Chinese companies tried to ruin my career with planted press stories. Money is often paid for favorable press in China and some of that money flows here to the US as well.
Unfortunately, money talks. China has succeeded in infiltrating all levels of tech, gaming and more.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
Unfortunately, US and European companies are loath to take risks and invest in game companies legally as much as China was. China remained one of the few places mid tier studios could get funding.
So again, China influence grew. I’m sure this is the same for movies as well.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
But now we are in a situation where unlimited Communist money dictates our American values. We censor our games for China, we censor our movies for China.
Now, game companies are silencing voices for freedom and democracy.
China is dictating that the world be authoritarian.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
Of all the companies in the world, Blizzard is the LAST company I ever expected to give in to China’s demands.
Blizzard was always about “gamer first” and “don’t be greedy.”
At least, it was when I was there.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
It’s one thing to keep politics out of games, which I am still a proponent of doing. It’s another to unfairly and harshly punish voices that speak out against corruption, against abuses of human rights, and freedom.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
I take a huge risk by saying this. China monitors all social media and I know this means that we will probably never get an investment from China for my new MMO, and probably never get a license to operate there.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
But enough is enough. I stand with Hong Kong, and I oppose Blizzard’s obvious and laughably transparent fear of China.
It’s time for Blizzard to grow the spine it used to have, and to do what’s right for gamers once again.
Gamers, rise up.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
Kern would also note he would not make a deal with Epic Games for exclusivity because their money comes from the Chinese company Tencent.
And yes, this means I will be refusing any deal for Epic exclusivity. The money comes from Tencent. Em8ER will never be an Epic game store exclusive.
This might mean we never make a dime, but more is at stake now than just games. A line has to be drawn, and I’m drawing it now.
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
Related: Blizzard Responds to Former Employee’s Accusations of Racism!
Kern would also post a screenshot showing that he cancelled his World of Warcraft subscription. He gave Blizzard the following reason he was cancelling the subscription:
“I made this game with the team. I am opposed to Blizzard’s fear of China and the silencing of Blitzchung. I am calling on Blizzard to stand up for what is right.”
It’s done. #BoycottBlizzard pic.twitter.com/2jMG1TNuZr
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
Kern would also note he uninstalled a number of Blizzard games and launcher as well.
Man, this is super hard. Uninstalling Blizzard games and launcher now… 🙁
— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 9, 2019
Related: Blizzard Criticized by Diablo Creator David Brevik
Kern is not alone in voicing his dissent towards Blizzard and their recent action against Blitzchung.
Hearthstone subreddit moderator Murloc Holmes posted that he would be stepping down from the moderation because he could no longer support the company.
Murloc Holmes wrote:
“After 4 years of being a moderator for the sub and an advocate for this game, I am leaving the moderation team as this is no longer a company I want to support or follow.
I appreciate the community and my time spent with y’all.
Good luck, Blizzard.”
A number of Blizzard employees were also reportedly protesting the company outside their corporate headquarters.
Related: Diablo 2 Producer Mark Kern Says Blizzard is Out of Touch With Gamers
A post on the Hearthstone subreddit is titled “Blizzard employees standing with hk.” It shows a number of individuals outside Activision Blizzard’s headquarter using umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun.
What do you make of Mark Kern’s explanation for joining #BoycottBlizzard? Are you joining #BoycottBlizzard too?
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