Sony has stopped selling its PlayStation consoles and software in Russia, becoming the latest major brand to withdraw business in the country, to condemn Putin’s war on Ukraine.
In light of the Russian government’s escalating hostilities, Sony’s gaming division Sony Interactive Entertainment announced cutting off hardware shipments and software launches in Russia.
“Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) joins the global community in calling for peace in Ukraine,” the company said.
“To support humanitarian aid, Sony Group Corporation announced a $2 million donation to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the international NGO, Save the Children, to support the victims of this tragedy,” the company statement added.
The company also announced it would call off the Russian launch of Gran Turismo 7, its hit racing title raked in more than $4 billion across the series to date, and it would suspend access to the PlayStation Store, Sony’s online gaming storefront.
Sony followed the steps of Several other techs and gaming companies that took the lead in suspending their business in Russia, including competitor Microsoft, which announced that it would halt sales on March 4th.
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called on the gaming industry to cut off its business in Russia naming Microsoft and Sony specifically in the earliest days of the Russian invasion.
Fedorov also urged the esports world to suspend any Russian competitors and cancel any events taking place in the country; He wrote, “In 2022, modern technology is perhaps the best answer to the tanks, multiple rocket launchers, and missiles,”.
Last week, video game companies began severing ties with Russia.CD Projekt, makers of the sci-fi game Cyberpunk 2077, and Electronic Arts said they would block all sales of games and content in Russia and Belarus.
Microsoft said it would halt all new sales of its products and services in Russia, on Friday, including its Xbox games consoles, software, and subscription services. The studio behind Fortnite, Epic Games, followed suit the next day, saying it was “stopping commerce with Russia in our games.”
