Nintendo eShop to largely close in Russia from today
The Nintendo eShop is effectively closing in Russia as of today.
According to documentation seen by Game Developer, Nintendo explained to publishers that it’s winding down operations in the region due to the current “economic outlook”.
Players will be unable to make new purchases or use download codes in the store, although they will still be able to download digital content that has previously been purchased.
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“As a result of the economic outlook, Nintendo of Europe has decided to wind down operations of its Russian subsidiary,” reads the email. “As part of our efforts to honor preceding commitments to our customers in the Russian market, the Russian version of Nintendo eShop will be set to offer limited service.
“As of May 31, 2023, and for the foreseeable future, Russian customers with an existing Nintendo Account will be able to redownload digital content that they have previously purchased. It will not be possible to make any new purchases or use download codes within [the] Nintendo eShop in Russia.”
Last year Nintendo suspended shipments of all hardware and software to Russia “for the foreseeable future” and put the eShop under maintenance after the suspension of purchases in Russian rubles by payment providers.
Nintendo is yet to resume shipping hardware to the country, and with this latest move, it appears the company has little plans to continue operating in the region at all.
Several high-profile gaming companies ceased operating in Russia in 2022 following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Sony, Microsoft, EA, Activision Blizzard and more all removed themselves from the area due to the geopolitical climate.
Read more on videogameschronicle.com
