Epic Games e Activision Blizzard follow the example of numerous videogame companies and announce the suspension of sales in Russia. Here are all the details.
Epic Games and Activision Blizzard stop sales in Russia
Epic is stopping commerce with Russia in our games in response to its invasion of Ukraine. We’re not blocking access for the same reason other communication tools remain online: the free world should keep all lines of dialogue open.
— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) March 5, 2022
The president and CEO of Activision BlizzardDaniel Alegre, said the decision of stop sales in a corporate letter to employees that was later shared publicly. Alegre stated:
Today we announce that Activision Blizzard will suspend new sales of our games in Russia as this conflict continues. We will continue to look for ways to support the Ukrainian people. I want to reassure you that the safety of our employees is our leadership team’s top priority. We are doing everything possible to assist employees and their families who are directly affected by this tragedy.
In the letter, Alegre also wrote about how the company is doing matching employee donations to two-for-one relief organizations (with a corresponding corporate limit between $ 1000 and $ 10,000). According to what was declared, through this method the company and the employees were able to collect $ 300,000. Activision Blizzard will also add other charities employees can choose from. Alegre then concluded in this way:
I would also like to applaud the enormous contributions of our colleagues in Poland, where people have offered their time to assist Ukrainian refugees and others in need. We continue to work with them to find ways to further assist this effort. We stand by the Ukrainian people and will provide updates on any new actions we take as this crisis continues to unfold.
Regarding Epic Gamesthe company stated that will suspend sales in Russia. However she also stated that it will not block access to games for Russian citizens. Epic Games has compared its video games to useful tools for communicationstating that “the free world should keep all lines of dialogue open”.
With this development, Activision Blizzard and Epic Games join the growing list of companies in the gaming sector who have taken action against Russia; a list that includes Microsoft (Xbox), CD Projekt Red (Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077) and many more.