Activision Blizzard and Epic Games suspend sales of games in Russia [updated]

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Update: Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two has also halted sales of its games in Russia and Belarus.

In a statement given to gamesindustry.biz, Take-Two’s vice president of corporate communications and public affairs Alan Lewis said, “We have watched recent events unfold in Ukraine with concern and sadness.

“After a significant consideration, last week, we decided to stop new sales, installations, and marketing support across all our labels in Russia and Belarus at this time.”

Original Story: Activision Blizzard and Epic Games have joined the likes of Microsoft, EA, and CD Projekt in suspending sales of their games in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

In a message shared with employees, Activision Blizzard COO Daniel Alegre said that after watching “the news from Ukraine and the worsening humanitarian crisis that is unfolding”, the company is committing to helping “those impacted by this terrifying violence and to provide assistance in every way possible.

“We are announcing that Activision Blizzard will be suspending new sales of and in our games in Russia while this conflict continues. We will continue to look at ways to support the Ukrainian people.” Activision Blizzard has not stated if it will suspend sales in Belarus.

Alegre also notes that Activision Blizzard is “doing everything possible to assist employees, and their families, who are being directly affected by this tragedy.” The company is also matching employee donations 2:1 to charitable organizations in Ukraine. So far, it has raised over $300,000 and has plans to “raise the company matching limit from $1,000 to $10,000.”

Epic Games announced on Twitter that it’s “stopping commerce with Russia” in its games. Epic says it won’t be blocking Russians from accessing its games “for the same reason other communication tools remain online: the free world should keep all lines of dialogue open.”

Last week, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister called on games companies to leave the Russian market and block Russian accounts. Microsoft, EA, CD Projekt, and Bloober Team have all now suspended sales of their games and services in Russia and Belarus.

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