(TOKYO) Japanese video game giant Nintendo announced Wednesday that it is winding down activities in Russia, where it already scaled back operations last year like other companies in its sector after the invasion of Ukraine by forces from Moscow.
Nintendo had already suspended shipments to Russia in March 2022, a measure announced at the time as temporary.
Its online store has also been unavailable since that date due to ruble transactions being suspended by the payment service provider.
“As a result of this, and due to the economic outlook, Nintendo of Europe has decided to terminate operations of its Russian subsidiary,” Nintendo wrote in a brief statement on Wednesday.
The Kyoto-based group specifies that Russian customers with a Nintendo account will still be able to re-download digital content they’ve already purchased, but it’s no longer possible to create a new account.
The customer’s payment information has also been erased for “security reasons,” according to the statement.
Nintendo and gaming rival Sony also announced last year that it would suspend shipments of games and consoles to Russia, joining “the international community in its call for peace in Ukraine.” he said at the time.
Other major video game companies such as Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, Niantic or Take-Two have also announced similar measures to suspend their activities in Russia.
“Hardcore beer fanatic. Falls down a lot. Professional coffee fan. Music ninja.”
