The Inevitable Cosplay Of Overwatch’s Mei Supporting Hong Kong

9 responses to “The Inevitable Cosplay Of Overwatch’s Mei Supporting Hong Kong”

1. 

   transientmind

   October 11, 2019 at 1:25 pm

   Looking forward to reports of Mei cosplayers being denied entry or ejected from Blizzcon next month.

   Reply
   1. 

      namiwakiru

      October 11, 2019 at 1:28 pm

      I doubt they will target Mei alone, whip out a gas mask or sign though and I bet they won’t last long.

      I bet the Q&A, if it even goes ahead, will be heavily vetted and possibly on a delay.

      Reply
      1. 

         transientmind

         October 11, 2019 at 1:31 pm

         If Q&A happens AT ALL, it’ll be either paid actors, or people with questions will submit them to a charismatic faceholder who will read it out in their stead, to ensure no last-second ‘april fools’ questions.

         Reply
      2. 

         binookadoo

         October 11, 2019 at 1:40 pm

         Roadhog cosplay banned under new gas mask rules lol

         Reply
2. 

   namiwakiru

   October 11, 2019 at 1:26 pm

   Oh I expect it, I just don’t expect it to get any official coverage or air time.
   I also expect that folks are gonna find their expected to adhere to certain rules and that some might find themselves on the other side of those rules.

   Either way, dis gonna be good.

   Reply
   1. 

      transientmind

      October 11, 2019 at 1:36 pm

      Unless… unless Blizzard bows to Global pressure to stop suckling on China’s teat and grows a spine.

      I don’t see this going any other way. A ‘morally responsible’ statement, including apologies and vows to ‘do better’ (in generic, unspecified ways) in advance of the convetion: something for them to point to whenever anyone tries to complain during what was MEANT to be their redemption-year Blizzcon.

      Or… hostilities. Bitter, nasty, increasingly personal hostilities from those with a conscience in the face of Blizzard’s tone-deaf arrogance and transparently disdainful attempts to silence any negativity as they attempt to lie and pretend that everything is awesome, best Blizzcon ever, such hype for new titles.

      It’s going to be one or the other. I don’t see any other outcome.

      Reply
      1. 

         zombiejesus

         October 11, 2019 at 1:51 pm

         I could see a somewhat tamer statement happening, combined with vetting. Something along the lines of “We understand our fans come from diverse backgrounds with diverse political views. While we respect your right to disagree, please understand that the staff who appear on our panels aren’t involved in competition disciplinary decisions and aren’t able to answer questions on those decisions.”

         I also think it’s less likely we’ll see VPs on Q&A panels this year, to further reinforce that “aren’t involved” element.

         Reply
         1. 

            namiwakiru

            October 11, 2019 at 2:30 pm

            That sounds like the most measured response.

            I’m 100% behind those that want to stick it to Blizzard/Activision but I also believe that if they choose to allow open protest of China and support for the HK protestors then they also need to allow the same for the pro-China voices in HK, China and abroad.
            Either way they’re kinda screwed.

            Reply
         2. 

            transientmind

            October 11, 2019 at 7:33 pm

            “While we respect your right to disagree, please understand that the staff who appear on our panels aren’t involved in competition disciplinary decisions and aren’t able to answer questions on those decisions.”

            Yeah, that’s basically, “We don’t want to talk about that here and now.”
            Which is effectively just another way of what I was saying option 2 was. It might not be ejections, but ignoring the crashing elephant in the room is going to enrage people who want to protest, not mollify them. Which will probably HAVE to result in ejections.

            Blizzard fucked up and they don’t want to talk about it? Yeah, most people who fuck up don’t. But they don’t GET to just have only positive press because they really, really want it and it’s their special day. They have to earn it.

            Reply
3. 

   sydney2k

   October 11, 2019 at 8:46 pm

   There was a meme that purported that Blizzcon was banning Winnie the Pooh cosplay at the event. This turned out to be a fake, but the meme has caught on that people are planning to cosplay the honey loving bear at the con- and even set up a Facebook event, in the same fashion as the Area 51 raid.

   Reply