The next company in the games industry is drawing consequences from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. CD Projekt RED, the makers of The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, will not distribute their own games in Russia and Belarus until further notice.
Players in Russia and Belarus/Belarus will no longer be able to access CD Projekt RED games until further notice. The company has now confirmed that it will take appropriate action in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
A Ukrainian minister had previously called on companies in the gaming industry to withdraw their products from Russian markets and also to ensure sanctions. CD Projekt has now answered this call and will no longer sell products in Russia or in the country of supporters of Belarus.
“In the light of Russia’s military invasion of our neighboring country Ukraine, CD Projekt Group has taken the decision to stop selling our games in Russia and Belarus until further notice,” the statement said.
– CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) March 3, 2022
Even apart from the games industry and the economic sanctions imposed by the EU and other countries, other heavyweights in different industries are also drawing far-reaching consequences. Apple has already suspended sales of its products in Russia, Volkswagen is shutting down production in Russian plants and halting vehicle sales, and oil giants Shell and BP have already taken action.
In the case of CD Projekt RED, not only physical sales are suspended, but also sales in digital form; the company’s own online platform GOG.com will also be taken offline in Russia, for example. “The entire CD Projekt Group stands firmly behind the people of Ukraine,” they continue. Although one cannot exert any direct influence on the conflict, one wants to do one’s part in this way to change the situation. A common appearance has the power to trigger global change and provide inspiration.
