TL;DR
- Riot Games faces scrutiny over casters avoiding ‘Hong Kong’ in team name references
- Company cites standard naming practices despite observable pattern differences
- Tencent ownership creates perception challenges amid Hong Kong protest context
- Blizzard’s recent esports controversy influences Riot’s proactive policy approach
- New neutrality guidelines aim to separate personal views from professional broadcasts
Riot Games finds itself navigating complex geopolitical waters as the company addresses growing concerns about apparent censorship during their esports broadcasts.
Observers of the 2019 League of Legends World Championship noticed an unusual pattern where commentators consistently used only the HKA abbreviation when referring to Hong Kong Attitude, while other teams received both full and shortened name mentions.
This selective naming approach has drawn attention to Riot’s corporate structure, particularly their ownership by Tencent Holdings. The Chinese technology giant maintains significant investments across the gaming industry, including stakes in Activision Blizzard and Epic Games.
Tencent’s established position supporting China’s stance on Hong Kong sovereignty has fueled speculation about potential influence over Riot’s broadcasting decisions.
Ryan Rigney, heading communications for Riot Games, provided the official company position regarding the naming conventions observed during the tournament.
“Our casting teams utilize both complete team names and official three-letter codes for all participating organizations, maintaining consistency across our competitive ecosystem,” Rigney stated in his response to community inquiries.
However, broadcast analysis reveals a distinct discrepancy. While casters regularly alternate between full and abbreviated names for most competitors, Hong Kong Attitude exclusively appears as HKA throughout the commentary.
Several instances captured on stream show commentators beginning to say “Hong Kong” before quickly correcting themselves and reverting to the abbreviation, suggesting either internal guidance or self-censorship.
This broadcasting pattern emerges against the backdrop of ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong, where citizens advocate for maintaining autonomous governance structures and protecting civil liberties.
The esports industry recently witnessed a parallel situation when Hearthstone professional player Ng “Blitzchung” Wai Chung voiced support for Hong Kong protesters during a official broadcast segment.
Following his declaration of the protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” tournament organizers suspended Blitzchung and confiscated his prize earnings.
This disciplinary action triggered widespread condemnation throughout the gaming community, with many supporters organizing boycotts against Blizzard and accusing the company of prioritizing investor relations over principle.
Riot Games appears determined to avoid similar controversy through preemptive measures. John Needham, overseeing global League of Legends esports operations, circulated a directive clarifying expectations for on-air personnel.
The policy explicitly instructs both commentators and competing players to refrain from engaging with politically charged topics during official broadcasts.
“Our broadcasts reach enthusiasts across numerous national boundaries and cultural backgrounds, creating both opportunity and obligation to maintain neutrality regarding divisive subjects spanning politics, religion, and other sensitive areas,” Needham explained in his public communication.
This approach reflects the evolving challenges facing global esports organizations as they balance corporate interests, audience expectations, and geopolitical realities.
Industry analysts note that as competitive gaming expands its international footprint, similar situations will likely recur, requiring clear guidelines that protect both corporate interests and competitive integrity.
The situation highlights the complex interplay between entertainment, politics, and corporate governance in modern esports, where seemingly minor production decisions can carry significant symbolic weight.
For organizations operating in politically sensitive contexts, establishing transparent policies before controversies emerge represents a critical risk management strategy that preserves brand reputation while navigating complex international relationships.
Action Checklist
- Establish clear naming convention policies for all competing teams before tournaments begin
- Provide comprehensive briefing to casting teams about neutral presentation requirements
- Develop contingency communication plans for addressing community concerns about perceived censorship
- Monitor broadcast consistency across all team references to identify potential pattern discrepancies
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Riot tries to explain hesitance to name Hong Kong Attitude at Worlds Riot Games addresses esports censorship concerns and explains their neutral stance on political discussions during broadcasts