eSports News by Content Engine AI

Overwatch was recently affected by the country’s increasingly stringent regulations that restricted Chinese companies and individuals from investing in digital content development and platforms within the country. The controversy arose as a result of the Chinese government’s recent ban on multiple types of online gaming.

After we reported on Blizzard’s esports tournament for Overwatch, “Overwatch League Week 4”, the company announced they were changing the venue for the event. Previously scheduled for the 9th through 12th of November, the two-day event was relocated to Blizzard’s larger Wintergarden, so as to allow additional time for safety checks. The all-out war may continue: Chinese gaming giants Tencent, NetEase, and Netease currently hold a majority stake in all four firms.

However, Twitch streamer Mike Vidali was able to attend the “Overwatch League Week 4” event as a non-domestic spectator. Unsurprisingly, he criticized the events that took place on Monday and yesterday, which featured some of Overwatch’s competitive roster battling on the Wintergarden beachfront. The celebration was streamed over both Twitch and Global Esports Arena’s mobile app.

For Vidali, the choice to exclude non-Chinese fans from the stadium took the “Overwatch League Week 4” festivities to another level of frivolousness. However, at least one person in attendance, Aaron “nofublow” Khant, did not think the event was a massive flop. “Overall, the park was amazing. The experience was amazing,” he said in a video he posted on Twitter. (Toward the end of the post, he shows that the Wintergarden game is not playable).

Seems like bad judgement, given the fact that the event still did not feature a solid roster that features professional-level international teams. That, and the fact that esports vendors are only allowed to advertise on “China-based” platforms. Poor taste, Blizzard. Poor taste.

The Wintergarden wasn’t the only sign of discord. The early “Overwatch League Week 4” matchups also didn’t feature Chinese pro-team Ustwo, who’ve been included in the competitive roster for every stage of Overwatch League’s three-year existence. (There are no Chinese expansion teams in the professional Overwatch League, so the hiatus could be purely coincidental.)

Worlds are shrinking. Chinese pro-team Ustwo has been missing from the Overwatch League offseason… for now pic.twitter.com/yIJmihDLdu — Luke Stewart (@LngStewart) October 23, 2018

There’s no word yet on the next “Overwatch League Week 4” matchup, but unfortunately, there’s likely to be another disgruntled pro-team member.

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