Would you unconditionally transfer all rights to your biography, your streams, and images of you to someone else? The players of the Overwatch League are doing exactly this, as a scan of the official rules now shows. The codex of the Overwatch League has been leaked. While the rights of streamers are curtailed, the codex grants Blizzard some privileges.
There must be rules, even in eSports. They ensure fairness and the sportsmanship expected in a competition. They apply in the Overwatch League as well, and as seen with xQc, Profit, and OGE, they are enforced.
There is also an official rulebook for the Overwatch League. This regulation was available for all players to review before the league started. If they wanted to participate, they had to sign it.
The broadcaster Richard Lewis has now published a scan of the book. So this is not officially from Blizzard and is thus a “leak.”
Insults are taboo
That insults are unacceptable is a universal truth and not exclusive to eSports. The “Code of Conduct” contains an entire section addressing this issue.
Blizzard is very strict about what members of the Overwatch League may and may not do. In descriptions that a German official could not have written better, many possible offenses are listed.
Besides a clause that prohibits obscene gestures, names, and expressions within the league itself – which has already led to trouble for Profit from London Spitfire – the streams of the players are also in focus.
No type of material may be produced or shown in the streams of the players that would bring the members of the league into “disrepute.” Blizzard translates this to mean that no scandal, mockery, or shock may follow. The members include, among others:
- The league itself
- Activision Blizzard and all their games, products, and services
- all players, casters, and broadcasters
- sponsors
The pros are not allowed to promote non-Blizzard games
Even for streaming, there are strict rules for the players of the Overwatch League. Blizzard regulates exactly what players may and may not do on Twitch and YouTube. There is even a special “Streaming Policy,” a separate set of rules.
Many of the rules are obvious and coincide with those of Twitch and others. However, some are very specific and result in restrictions for the streamers. Some of the rules are:
- Streaming is prohibited one hour before and after any Overwatch League event
- Products not made by Activision Blizzard may not be promoted, and streamers may not call for their purchase
- Streaming such games is allowed, however
- Streaming other tournaments is prohibited
- Cheating is forbidden
- Advertising for drugs, politicians, weapons, and pornography is not allowed, etc.
Moreover, players are prohibited from streaming with more than one other pro from the Overwatch League, otherwise they are considered a “team.” This is only allowed if they have previously obtained permission from the league and their team.
The list goes on – you can find the English copy of the codex in this document.
Blizzard may create a reality show
In the “Version 1.0” of the official rulebook, there are also rules that require more than just regulating streaming and handling penalties. Blizzard even directly intervenes in the lives of the players with these.
Under section 8, there are regulations regarding the names and stories of the players. More specifically: The players transfer to Blizzard all rights to their biographies, names, and streams, which the company may use worldwide and without charge for any purpose.
But particularly contentious is section 8.2, “Reality Programming.” Here, Blizzard takes it a step further and stipulates: If the league office decides to create a reality show, it is free to install cameras in every room of the team accommodations – except for the bathroom.
These cameras may run 24/7 and would turn each of the team houses into a Big-Brother knockoff. Blizzard would also own all rights to this material. And just like with the previously mentioned content like names, they would not have to pay the players anything for it.
Blizzard’s statement on the leak
One should approach the information with caution, as with all leaked documents.
As a statement from Blizzard, it was said about the codex that it is a living document that evolves in consultation with all parties. Individual facets are not discussed.
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