New York (CNN Business) Amid a tumultuous few weeks, Activision Blizzard announced a handful of new video game titles, including "Overwatch 2" and "Diablo IV," at its annual gaming convention in California on Friday.

Protesters gathered outside the event to advocate for free speech, support the Hong Kong protests and demand an apology from Blizzard for actions it took against players who engaged in protests.

"We moved too quickly in our decision and then to make matters worse, we were too slow to talk with all of you," said president J. Allen Brack at the kick-off event on Friday. "I am sorry and I accept accountability."

The American company has come under fire after it banned a Hong Kong player named Ng for shouting the popular protest slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" during a livestreamed post-match interview. Blizzard said the act violated its competition rules. Ng was initially stripped of his potential winnings and banned from competing for the next year.

Social media reacted in outrage after the news of the ban broke: Players posted images of them uninstalling or canceling subscriptions to hugely popular Blizzard games. Blizzard eventually shortened Ng's ban and restored his winnings.

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