Blizzard President Apologizes for Blitzchung Suspension Without Changing Ruling

Blizzard president J. Allen Brack began the BlizzCon 2019 Opening Ceremony by apologizing for how Blizzard handled the suspension of Chung "blitzchung" Ng Wai. He did not change the publisher's ruling on the case.

"Blizzard had the opportunity to bring the world together in a tough Hearthstone esports moment about a month ago," Brack said, "and we did not. We moved too quickly in our decision making, and then, to make matters worse, we were too slow to talk with all of you."

"When I think about what I'm most unhappy about, there's really two things. The first one is: We didn't live up to the high standards that we really set for ourselves. And the second is we failed in our purpose. And for that I am sorry, and I accept accountability."

Brack went on to extoll the uniting virtues of video games. He did not mention blitzchung by name. Neither did he apologize to him, or announce a change in his now six-month suspension from professional Hearthstone.

Blizzard originally suspended blitzchung from Hearthstone for 12 months, rescinded his prize winnings and removed him from the Hearthstone Grandmasters league. Following weeks of public outcry, the publisher returned blitzchung's winnings and reduced his suspension to six months.

Blitzchung joined Tempo Storm's Hearthstone lineup Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Blizzard