Tencent Owned, Riot Games, Bans Free Speech from League of Legends Tournaments

John Needham of Riot Games, which is owned by Tencent, took to Twitter today, to announce that it is banning all political discussions from their League of Legends E-Sports tournaments. This comes in the wake of the backlash, surrounding Blizzard Entertainment, and their heavy handed punishment that was handed out, against a player participating at their Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament, for simply voicing support for freedom of the people of Hong Kong.

[ShockUltraslash]

Yeah. Dont attack Trump.
Keep your politics out of the air.

[annoyedgamer]

This is about China. They wouldn't have such an ardent no politics rule otherwise.

[xTonyMontana]

Irony in Trump being mentioned really. He is the perfect example of why politics should be a no no in gaming, he's a real divisive figure, loads of people love him, loads of people hate him and just mentioning his name can start arguments. Still, regardless of what side of the fence people are on, everyone can collectively come together and support freedom and democracy. Blizzard and now Riot are just fanning the flames.

[Eonjay]

Sadly, this isn't new for China and this is really nothing compared to some of the other privacy destroying policies they have. Love it or hate it, Democracy is the only path forward.

[Giblet_Head]

@Eonjay

Disagree. Democracy is completely incapable of continuity in development. The nation is divided into parties that every four years breaks apart the nation where no unity is possible, it's incapable of allowing any sort of conception or accomplishment of long term plans. One party abolishes the plans and achievements of another. In a large country desperately in need of construction, where the very basis of survival is construction, democracy presents itself as a threat to any sort of progress. Also a democracy can only function in service to finance. Because it's an expensive system and highly competitive a natural consequence is politicians or parties becoming slaves to companies and investors, who will implore certain agendas in exchange for the sacrifice of personal ideals. Ultimately the fate of the nation is left in the hands of a people unaffected by their own actions. It's a broken archaic system where the illusion of choice is determined by money and popularity. Not by the strongest or the best.

[lptmg]

The Hong Kong situation is more than just "politics" that should be out of the air though

[gamer7804]

Hong Kong is about politics, its about the parties that run the country, such as Communism, socialism, democratic republic, etc.

[deno]

Exactly. It's about freedom.

[rainslacker]

Funny thing about discussions about the Hong Kong thing, is that they're done in a way that tends to go against the rules, so making a rule which prevents talking about it seems really counter intuitive and ineffective.

[ShinjukuSon]

I've been a Trump supporter for 3 years, but after the Kurd incident. Fuck him. I hope he loses in 2020.

[CaptainCook]

Same. Fuck Trump for back stabbing the Kurds

[gamer7804]

That was a bad decision imo, just like Benghazi was. This next election will be Donald trump vs Elizabeth Warren... which type of lies and bad decisions would you like to go with next term basically. We just need better candidates regardless of the side you are on.

[ShinjukuSon]

Bernie Sanders seems good. He seems like he has a good heart. But I know he won't win. Tulsi Gabbard also.

[specialguest]

Trump 2020. I used to lean democratic until the left went far retard left as of the last 3 yrs
#walkaway

[bluefox755]

When they say sensitive topics, they're referring to one singular topic. Obviously they don't care if people bitch about Trump, that's all anyone does these days. No, they want you to keep quiet about the people being oppressed in Hong Kong by the tyrannical Chinese government.

[gamer7804]

basically don't talk about things we don't like, like China-Hong Kong situation but feel free to bash the right or Donald trump...

[Spacemagic]

To be fair, Trump deserves to be bashed. He is a terrible president and a worse human being.

[gamer7804]

@Spacemagic sort of, I prefer to criticize bad decisions and policies rather than the people behind them regardless of what party they are on, then praise good decisions..

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Trump and China both trash.

[ElementX]

Riot is owned by Tencent, expect the Chinese government to ban and censor

[shaun mcwayne]

Whatever happened to free feedom of speech. Also who decides that a topic is sensitive, I think it's people who are sensitive. I like to hear two sides on any topic so I can make an educated decision on what side of the fench I choose to take.

[TheColbertinator]

Freedom of speech in China? Not a chance.

[franwex]

Who says there are only 2 sides anyway?

[Skuletor]

In an argument there's always 3 sides, you're side, their side and the truth

[franwex]

@SickSinceSix
Very wise words.

[Smokehouse]

Sensitive topics like HK and TW freedom... 🙄

Another worthless company on the blacklist.

[ThankYouSir]

I think Riot is fully owned by Tencent so it's not shocking to read this at all

[xTonyMontana]

So Riot like Blizzard were more than happy to jump on things like the LGBT movements as it brings in money but when the world shows support to the plight of HK's citizens all of a sudden we have to keep it about the games? As the saying goes, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Of course I'm sure it has nothing do with them being owned by a Chinese company....

[ShinjukuSon]

Showing their true colours. People who actually believed in the nonsense of these corporations in the first place have to be ignorant to begin with. I bet the left will keep quiet. Seems all they care about is what's between your legs and not stuff that actually matters...

[annoyedgamer]

Chinas social control would be a dream come true for the American S*Ws.

[WelkinCole]

It is all about the money.

[Magic_Spatula]

Well, I believe they are owned by Tencent so yeah, they gotta do whatever Tencent wants or get dropped all together. I'm pretty sure Riot doesn't want to lose billions from all those Chinese investors.

[rainslacker]

Yep. Equal rights and freedom of expression is only relevant to these companies when it makes them look good, and can potentially bring in profit.

[AllMightyFox]

More issues with Riot being scum, no surprise there anymore

[Kaii]

4 Words, Fuck the Chinese Government.

[King_Noctis]

The second episode of South Park in season 23 described the Chinese government so accurately.

[SegaGamer]

Matt Stone and Trey Parker couldn't have come up with that episode at a better time.

[Snookies12]

Hahaha, a Chinese government official just disagreed with your comment.

[AsunaYuukiTheFlash]

Chinese > American. Fight me!!!😈 /sarcasm

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Sigh China have fun being on the barrel of a gun.

[Emme]

And suddenly, the real world bursts the bubble of carefree gaming. Happened in football, soccer, olympics (decades ago), shows how mature esports have become.

[Kostche]

i dont get the outrage, dont use other peoples platforms to push your opinions, its that simple, create and use your own platform for that, people like blizzard and relic can push what ever agenda they want on their platforms and they do, does not mean you can do the same, they own it, you dont, dont like it do not use it, but stop acting like you have right

[nowitzki2004]

Agreed. I dont agree with it, But if you are against it then avoid it altogether.

[rainslacker]

Riot has the right to do what they want. That isnt in dispute...or shouldn't be.

But, we are also free to say that it's a shitty thing for them to do.

I agree only in the sense that using a platform that isnt relevant to the discussion to bring about the discussion should be limited, but the natural progression of discussion can often lead to all sorts of things unrelated to the platform to come up

[rlow1]

Please don't support this crap.... boycott this league.