CD Projekt, the parent company of Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red, has joined global efforts to impose sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. It announced that it would stop all digital and physical sales of its games to Russia and Belarus, as well as all game sales on its GOG digital platform. CD Projekt Red also recently pledged 1 million PLN (approximately USD 240.00) to Polish humanitarian group Polska Akcja Humanitarna.
“In light of the Russian military invasion in our neighboring country, Ukraine, until further notice, CD Projekt Red Group has taken the decision to stop all sales of our games to Russia and Belarus “, said the group CD Projekt in a press release. “Today, we begin working with our partners to suspend digital sales and cease physical inventory shipments of CD Projekt Group products, as well as all games distributed on the GOG platform, in the territories of the Russia and Belarus.”
CD Projekt also said it realizes it doesn’t have the power to directly influence things on the world stage, but it hopes that by adding its voice to a growing number of entertainment brands that have prevented Russia and Belarus to access their content, it can help inspire change in those countries.
“The entire CD Projekt Group stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine,” the company added. “While we are not a political entity capable of directly influencing the affairs of state, nor do we aspire to be one, we believe that commercial entities, when united, have the power to inspire global change in the hearts and minds of ordinary people. We know that players in Russia and Belarus, individuals who have nothing to do with the invasion of Ukraine, will be affected by this decision, but with this action we want to further galvanize the global community to talk about what is happening in the heart of Europe.”
A growing number of gaming entities have publicly distanced themselves from Russia and called for an end to the invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian Deputy Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called on Sony and Microsoft to also join the sanctions, although none have yet done so. The Bloober team is also suspend game sales in Russia/Belarus, as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine.
EA announced this week that Russia will be removed from their FIFA 22 and NHL 22 matches in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, various other game industry studios are organizing relief efforts.
This 11-bit developer War of Mine studio will donate all proceeds from sales of the anti-war game over the next week to the Ukrainian Red Cross. Ukraine-based Stalker 2 developer GSC World has called on the gaming industry and gamers to donate to a fund to help the Ukrainian Armed Forces,
If you would like to contribute to ongoing humanitarian efforts, we have compiled a list of humanitarian organizations such as the Ukrainian Red Cross and Unicef that you can donate to.
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