Screen Rant

Blizzard Entertainment has finally issued a statement on the immense Hearthstone/China controversy. 1 / 7

The controversy began when Blizzard stripped Asia-Pacific Grandmasters Hearthstone tournament winner, Chung Ng Wai, of his prize money and banned him for a year. 2 / 7

The reason? The player made comments supporting the liberation of Hong Kong during a recent Hearthstone broadcast. 3 / 7

Blizzard also banned two broadcaster from the official Hearthstone for a year. 4 / 7

Blizzard has now walked back this punishments in its first statement since the backlash began. Bans have been reduced to six months and the prize money is restored. 5 / 7

Still, fans aren't buying the explanation laid out by Blizzard President J. Allen Brack, who said the decision had nothing to do with Blizzard's relationships in China. 6 / 7

Only time will tell if players will forgive Blizzard, but with BlizzCon 2019 approaching the company needs to do more. 7 / 7