Sony has announced it is suspending all PlayStation game sales and hardware shipments to Russia as it joins the group of tech companies and others calling for peace in Ukraine. Sony did not release its latest game, Gran Turismo 7, in the country, and the PlayStation Store has been suspended in Russia as well.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Sony Interactive Entertainment said, “We have suspended all software and hardware shipments, the launch of Gran Turismo 7, and operations of the PlayStation Store in Russia.”
Additionally, Sony Group Corporation announced it will donate $2 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the NGO, Save the Children, to help support those affected by the unrest in Ukraine.
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) March 9, 2022
Microsoft has also announced the suspension of all sales, including Xbox, in Russia in the wake of the country’s unprovoked attacks against Ukraine. Apple announced it is ceasing sales of its physical products in Russia as well as imposing limitations on Apple Pay and removing some Russian news apps from the App Store outside Russia.
Additionally, Poland-based CD Projekt announced it would cease all game sales in Russia and Belarus. EA will be doing the same, ceasing all sales of its games, as well as virtual currencies and DLC, in Russia and Belarus. EA also removed Russian teams from FIFA 22 and NHL 22.
Doom designer John Romero released a new Doom II level and donated all proceeds to the Red Cross and UN Central Emergency Response Fund.
As we reported previously, many other video game-related companies have expressed their support for Ukraine and offered financial help to institutions like the Ukrainian Red Cross, UNICEF, and others. The Ukrainian government has called on major game companies, including Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Epic Games, and Activision Blizzard, to temporarily ban Russian and Belarusian accounts in their respective games and services as well as cancel all gaming-related events to be held in Russia.
If you want to help relief efforts, we’ve assembled a list of humanitarian organizations like the Ukrainian Red Cross and Unicef that you can donate to.
Source: Gamespot
