Blizzard wants to ban the OK gesture

Apr 06 2019 2 min read

Blizzard wants to ban the OK gesture ⚡⚡⚡ Esports and gaming news, analytics, reviews on WePlay! The latest news on WePlay!

The precedent occurred during an interview at OWL 2019 (The Overwatch League from Blizzard) with Los Angeles Gladiators player Gui-un "Decay" Jang. One of the spectators behind the esportsman raised his hand in the universal OK gesture. After that, Rod "Slasher" Breslau has posted some interesting information on Twitter — he saw Blizzard employees approach the fan and explain to him that such a gesture was forbidden in the tournament due to the fact that he was used by fans of the racist White Power movement. 

As it turned out a little later, there was another insulted and humiliated user of the network, who saw in a harmless gesture a negative reference, which he hurried to notify Blizzard managers. 

This gesture has often been used by Overwatch fans throughout the season (and the people from all over the world since forever) but it has only now become clear that it is forbidden. The links to racism had appeared after an unknown 4chan user set up a prank, calling on people in February 2017 to use the gesture on Twitter and other social networks, making it a symbol of the ultra-right movement. The campaign was named Operation O-KKK, which makes the reference to the famous Ku Klux Klan organization. 

The funny thing is that in the game itself such a gesture is used by several characters at once, so the fans took Blizzard's decision with humour.

Previously, Blizzard had already taken a "fighting stance" against memes in its Overwatch League. Last year, they openly disapproved the use Pepe the Frog's image by both fans and teams participating in the OWL. League's representative stated that day: "The Overwatch League discourages the use of symbols and imagery which are associated with or used by hate groups, including Pepe the Frog…" 


Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more fresh news, and share your impressions in the comments.

flag

World Esports Stands for Charity and Peace in Ukraine

Donate to Techiia Foundation to support charity and people of Ukraine for those who suffer the most, for those who protect the country from the Russian army forces right now and for those who will never return from this war but remain in our hearts forever.

qr code
All know about Wattson, the new Apex Legend
All we know about Wattson, the new Apex Legend
Team Secret got a direct invite to ESL Birmingham 2019
Team Secret got a direct invite to ESL Birmingham 2019

READ ALSO

WePlay!
Epic Games sues Apple and Google after Fortnite's removal
Overwatch 2 campaign will follow multiple hero perspectives
Overwatch 2 campaign will follow multiple hero perspectives
Forever 21 launches an Overwatch collection
Forever 21 launches an Overwatch collection
BlizzCon 2019 Recap
BlizzCon 2019 Recap
The next Hearthstone expansion teased
The next Hearthstone expansion teased

Other Categories

WePlay Promotes

Stand with Ukraine

Donate

Ukrainian Army NBU Fundraising

Contribute

Come Back Alive Foundation

Preview