Sony's PlayStation and Nintendo discontinue sales in Russia over Ukraine conflict
Key takeaways:
- Sony's PlayStation department and Nintendo say they have halted all product sales in Russia.
- They're pursuing in the footsteps of iconic trademarks McDonald's, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola, which have stopped business in Russia.
- Other video game companies, including Microsoft's Xbox division, Electronic Arts, and CD Projekt, have also boycotted the nation.
Sony's PlayStation division and Nintendo have discontinued product sales in Russia, becoming the latest prominent brands to remove from the nation over the Ukraine battle.
A spokesperson for Sony's video game division said Wednesday that the firm had suspended all console and software shipments in the nation, including the takeoff of the new racing title Gran Turismo 7.
The PlayStation Store will also no longer be open in Russia.
"Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) joins the international community in asking for peace in Ukraine," the company stated.
Sony Group stated it has committed $2 million for assistance to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Save the Children "to help the victims of this tragedy."
Singly Wednesday, Nintendo said it was discontinuing all shipments to Russia "for the foreseeable future," noting "notable volatility surrounding the logistics of shipping and circulating physical goods."
The Switch console creator has also chosen to delay the release of Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, a military-themed strategy game, "in light of recent world events."
Sony and Nintendo are pursuing in the footsteps of iconic brands McDonald's, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Starbucks, which have stopped operations in Russia amid uproar over the nation's attack of Ukraine.
The previous week, video game firms started severing relations with Russia. CD Projekt, designers of the sci-fi game Cyberpunk 2077 and Electronic Arts, said they would thwart all sales of games and range in Russia and Belarus.
Microsoft said on Friday it would suspend all new sales of its products and services in Russia, including its Xbox games consoles, software, and subscription benefits. After Fortnite, Epic Games, the studio followed the case the following day, saying it was "stopping trade with Russia in our games."