Blizzard has a set of core values literally enshrined on the ground of their corporate HQ. Today, two of those—“Think Globally” and “Every Voice Matters”—were covered up by employees in the wake of Blizzard’s contentious decision to suspend a Hearthstone pro over his views on Hong Kong.
While the values are listed on Blizzard’s website, they’re also marked at each point of the compass on this enormous statue outside the front door of the company’s HQ:
Kevin Hovdestad, who used to work at Blizzard, shared this photograph (which he didn’t take) earlier today:
Blizzard says its eight “core values” represent “the principles and beliefs that have guided our company throughout the years. These values are reflected in employees’ decisions and actions every day.”
They include stuff like “gameplay first” and “commit to quality,” but the two in question today are:
EVERY VOICE MATTERS:
Great ideas can come from anywhere. Blizzard Entertainment is what it is today because of the voices of our players and of each member of the company. Every employee is encouraged to speak up, listen, be respectful of other opinions, and embrace criticism as just another avenue for great ideas.
and:
THINK GLOBALLY
Everywhere on the planet there are people who play Blizzard Entertainment games. While respecting the cultural diversity that makes people unique, we strive to grow and support our global gaming community. We also seek the most passionate, talented people in the world to enrich our company and help us forge the future vision of Blizzard Entertainment.
It’s understandable that, in light of their company bowing to the whims of an authoritarian regime and suspending someone who was calling for more democratic rights in his homeland, some Blizzard employees feel like those two values aren’t worth the ground they’re stuck on.