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Call of Duty breaks records as publisher faces Hong Kong backlash | Call of Duty breaks records as publisher faces Hong Kong backlash |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A mobile version of video game Call of Duty has been downloaded more than 100 million times in its first week. | A mobile version of video game Call of Duty has been downloaded more than 100 million times in its first week. |
However, a boycott aimed at the game's publisher, Activision Blizzard, has been launched after Blizzard placed a 12-month ban on a Hearthstone gamer who staged an online protest over the political crisis in Hong Kong. | However, a boycott aimed at the game's publisher, Activision Blizzard, has been launched after Blizzard placed a 12-month ban on a Hearthstone gamer who staged an online protest over the political crisis in Hong Kong. |
The hashtag #Blizzardboycott is now trending on Twitter. | The hashtag #Blizzardboycott is now trending on Twitter. |
Boycotters included Mark Kern, a developer who has worked for Blizzard. | Boycotters included Mark Kern, a developer who has worked for Blizzard. |
"It's done," tweeted Mr Kern, with a screenshot suggesting he had just cancelled his subscription to World of Warcraft. | "It's done," tweeted Mr Kern, with a screenshot suggesting he had just cancelled his subscription to World of Warcraft. |
"Unless/until they completely reverse their stance on this issue (which, unfortunately, doesn't seem likely) they will get no more money from me," wrote one Reddit user in a long thread about the boycott. | "Unless/until they completely reverse their stance on this issue (which, unfortunately, doesn't seem likely) they will get no more money from me," wrote one Reddit user in a long thread about the boycott. |
The latest title in the hugely popular Call of Duty franchise has been well received by gamers, according to download statistics from Sensor Tower. | The latest title in the hugely popular Call of Duty franchise has been well received by gamers, according to download statistics from Sensor Tower. |
The company said the game, which was released on 1 October, had enjoyed the biggest mobile launch yet. | The company said the game, which was released on 1 October, had enjoyed the biggest mobile launch yet. |
A PC and console title, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, is due to be released on 25 October. | A PC and console title, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, is due to be released on 25 October. |
Some social media users encouraged those who had pre-ordered the game to ask for refunds. | |
Meanwhile, video game industry commentator Rod Breslau noticed that in another live-streamed Hearthstone tournament game, one player held up a sign saying, "Free Hong Kong, boycott Blizz[ard]". | |
Activision Blizzard's share price had fallen by 2.3% by the close of trading on Tuesday. | Activision Blizzard's share price had fallen by 2.3% by the close of trading on Tuesday. |
However, the backlash was unlikely to cause serious commercial problems for Activision Blizzard, said James Batchelor, UK Editor at GamesIndustry.biz. | However, the backlash was unlikely to cause serious commercial problems for Activision Blizzard, said James Batchelor, UK Editor at GamesIndustry.biz. |
"It's negative PR and that's never great for a company but I can't remember an instance where a consumer-led boycott has led to a significant drop in sales in the video games industry," he told the BBC. | "It's negative PR and that's never great for a company but I can't remember an instance where a consumer-led boycott has led to a significant drop in sales in the video games industry," he told the BBC. |
"These games have such a vast audience that I would almost say almost half don't even know what's happening... The vast majority of Call of Duty players are so casual, so mainstream." | "These games have such a vast audience that I would almost say almost half don't even know what's happening... The vast majority of Call of Duty players are so casual, so mainstream." |
Seth Barton, editor of gaming industry magazine MCV, agreed that the boycott was unlikely to have a significant impact. | |
Activision Blizzard didn't have much choice in the matter, he argued: "by allowing any such protests it would have to either allow all such protests, or become arbiter of what's acceptable and what's not". | |
BBC News has contacted Activision Blizzard for comment. | BBC News has contacted Activision Blizzard for comment. |
Why are some gamers angry with Blizzard? | Why are some gamers angry with Blizzard? |
Ng Wai Chung is the name of the gamer banned for 12 months by Blizzard. He uses the pseudonym Blitzchung. | Ng Wai Chung is the name of the gamer banned for 12 months by Blizzard. He uses the pseudonym Blitzchung. |
During a post-match interview on the official Hearthstone Taiwan video stream, he donned a gas mask and shouted: "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our age." | During a post-match interview on the official Hearthstone Taiwan video stream, he donned a gas mask and shouted: "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our age." |
Blizzard said tournament rules said players must not offend people or damage the company's image. | Blizzard said tournament rules said players must not offend people or damage the company's image. |
Other US technology have become embroiled in the controversy over Hong Kong. | Other US technology have become embroiled in the controversy over Hong Kong. |
China's state media this week criticised Apple for listing an app in its app store designed to track the movements of police officers in Hong Kong. | China's state media this week criticised Apple for listing an app in its app store designed to track the movements of police officers in Hong Kong. |
The People's Daily newspaper said the app was an endorsement for "rioters". | The People's Daily newspaper said the app was an endorsement for "rioters". |
The tool, HKmap.live, was not named explicitly by the newspaper. | The tool, HKmap.live, was not named explicitly by the newspaper. |
It works by asking users to cite the locations of police and anti-government protesters. This data is then displayed on a map. | It works by asking users to cite the locations of police and anti-government protesters. This data is then displayed on a map. |