Sony, Nintendo, Google Play, Bungie, and WarnerMedia halt their operations in Russia
Amid global support for Ukraine, more companies are suspending their business operations in Russia. Sony, Nintendo, WarnerMedia, and some other studios have joined the ongoing exodus.
Gran Turismo 7
- Sony Interactive Entertainment suspended all software and hardware shipments to Russia, which means no new sales of games and consoles in the country. The ban also covers the PlayStation Store, not allowing users to buy new digital copies. On top of that, Sony donated $2 million to the UNHCR to “support the victims of this tragedy.”
- Nintendo, which previously put its eShop into maintenance mode, suspended shipments of its games and consoles to Russia, citing logistics and payment-handling challenges (via Bloomberg).
- Google paused Google Play’s billing system in Russia, which means that users won’t be able to buy apps and games, pay for subscriptions or make any IAPs. However, free apps will remain available for download on the store.
- WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar told Variety that the company paused all new business in Russia: “This includes ceasing broadcast of our channels, halting all new content licensing with Russian entities and pausing our planned theatrical and games releases.”
- Angry Birds maker Rovio removed its games from app stores in Russia and Belarus and disabled IAPs for already-downloaded titles. A similar decision was made by Supercell on March 9.
- Bungie is now working with its partners to suspend Destiny 2 sales in Russia and Belarus. Players from these countries will be able to play games they already own but won’t be able to make any IAPs.
- CI Games, known for its Sniper: Ghost Warrior series, ceased all sales in Russia and Belarus “for the foreseeable future.”
With each day, the list of companies suspending their operations or exiting the market is getting bigger. It already includes Microsoft, Rockstar, Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, CD Projekt, and many more.
