Blizzard President Apologizes for Homophobic BlizzCon Video Presentation

October 28, 2011

Blizzard Entertainment President Mike Morhaime has apologized for the video clip that ran during the final performance at BlizzCon. That video clip featured comments from George Fisher of Cannibal Corpse talking about the game, and using a number of homophobic slurs. He also performed at BlizzCon as part of the Blizzard rock group Level 90 Elite Tauren Chieftain. Morhaime, who is also a member of that group, threw himself on his sword in a letter to GayGamer.

"As president of Blizzard, I take full responsibility for everything that occurs at Blizzcon," he wrote. "It was shortsighted and insensitive to use the video at all, even in censored form. The language used in the original version, including the slurs and use of sexual orientation as an insult, is not acceptable, period."

"We realize now that having even an edited version at the show was counter to the standards we try to maintain in our forums and in our games. Doing so was an error in judgment, and we regret it," continued Morhaime. "The bottom line is we deeply apologize for our mistakes and for hurting or offending anyone. We want you to have fun at our events, and we want everyone to feel welcome. We're proud to be part of a huge and diverse community, and I am proud that so many aspects of the community are represented within Blizzard itself."

"As a leader of Blizzard, and a member of the band, I truly hope you will accept my humblest apology," he added.

Source: GayGamer. Thanks to Ivresse for the tip.


Comments

Re: Blizzard President Apologizes for Homophobic BlizzCon ...

Good to see Blizzard taken down a few pegs. Now if the Internet was truly intelligent they would demand an apology from Activision and it's CEO since they are the parent company of Blizzard.

Re: Blizzard President Apologizes for Homophobic BlizzCon ...

Actually Blizzard still operates independently of Activsion. They're still autonomous, just they have more money to work with, and I don't see Activision tacking their name onto Blizzcon.

Re: Blizzard President Apologizes for Homophobic BlizzCon ...

But Activision is the favored whipping boy in the arrangement. Blizzard can continue doing things they'd already been doing (eg: pre-release review blackouts, WoW reducing the "attunement grind," and talk about putting Starcraft II cinematics on DVD), and Kotick gets all the hate.

Re: Blizzard President Apologizes for Homophobic BlizzCon ...

Well then they need to tell that to all the people directing their anger at Blizzard.

Re: Blizzard President Apologizes for Homophobic BlizzCon ...

My hat goes off to Morhaime on this one, esp given the amount of homophobic appologist rallying we have seen around the original clip.

Re: Blizzard President Apologizes for Homophobic BlizzCon ...

Which continues on the forums, people are saying Blizzard should never have apologized and are telling the people offended to "man up"

Re: Blizzard President Apologizes for Homophobic BlizzCon ...

Not surprising.  

A minority of the 'normal' usually end up getting butthurt when confronted with the idea that they might have to think of the feelings of someone other then their group and can get pretty vicious about how others are spoiling their fun by being hurt.

Re: Blizzard President Apologizes for Homophobic BlizzCon ...

On the forums there was gay bashing all week

Re: Blizzard President Apologizes for Homophobic BlizzCon ...

Well, I'm sure it had nothing to do with the completely overblown response to one idiot's juvenile rant.  Most likely, Blizzard just secretly hates gays.

 
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DorthLousI love how she plays the "I'm a parent, you're a gamer, you couldn't understand" card... I'm a parent and I find her position despicable...05/23/2013 - 4:16pm
E. Zachary KnightShe didn't address your questions because she doesn't have any answers.05/23/2013 - 3:38pm
Andrew EisenI replied to her comment. Maybe in a few weeks I'll get a reply.05/23/2013 - 3:24pm
Thomas Riordan@Andrew Eisen To what bowling alley does she go that puts sexual images in the faces of 6 year olds?05/23/2013 - 3:17pm
Andrew EisenWell, it took a month but Linda Stender finally replied to me... and didn't address a single one of my questions. http://aswlindastender.com/2013/04/23/follow-up-video-games-and-their-effect-on-children/05/23/2013 - 3:13pm
ImautobotAlso, from a tech perspective the PS4 is apparently already winning. http://bgr.com/2013/05/22/xbox-one-vs-playstation-4-specs/05/23/2013 - 3:12pm
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Andrew EisenOh look, Dying Light was just announced For Everything But Wii U. That's 73.05/23/2013 - 2:06pm
james_fudgeZippy: they said the same thing about Cell. How did that turn out.05/23/2013 - 1:28pm
Andrew EisenNeed for Speed Rivals is coming out For Everything But Wii U - PS3, 360, PC, PS4 and Xbox One. That brings the grand total up to 72.05/23/2013 - 12:55pm
PHX Corphttp://wiiudaily.com/2013/05/microsoft-is-selling-the-wii-u-better-than-nintendo/ Wii U daily Opinion: Microsoft is selling the Wii U better than Nintendo05/23/2013 - 12:23pm
E. Zachary KnightZippy, they very well may be. But that will only last until they are released. At that time, they will be two generations behind.05/23/2013 - 11:14am
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E. Zachary KnightNew Humble Bundle Weekly Sale. Alan Wake: https://www.humblebundle.com/weekly No Linux or Mac support. :(05/22/2013 - 1:46pm
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E. Zachary KnightThat is absolutely nuts there. As bad an experience XBox Indie Games was, the problems weren't with the self published side of things. Forcing a publisher onto independent studios is not going to help.05/22/2013 - 10:43am
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