Why Games and Entertainment Companies Are Pulling Support in Russia

ign.com:

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been almost universally condemned by the international community. Sanctions from around the world mount by the day, the Kremlin's financial system has been utterly ostracized by global financial institutions, and the Biden administration recently unveiled a fresh, axis-tipping embargo on Russian energy imports. These are unprecedented efforts, and they haven't been limited to the crucible of Capitol Hill. In fact, video game and entertainment companies, many of which often remain apolitical in their messaging, have either halted sales or service in Russia or made changes to their offerings around the world.

Microsoft has suspended all new sales of products and services in Russia in accordance with the economic parameters set out by Biden's foreign policy arm, and have added that they will continue to "help cybersecurity officials in Ukraine defend against Russian attacks." Nintendo and Sony are not American companies, and therefore they aren't beholden to U.S. regulations, but the former delayed Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp without specifically naming the invasion, (instead citing “recent world events,”) while the latter suspended all sales, including the launch of its newest game, Gran Turismo 7, in Russia. That's just the tip of the iceberg. We're in the midst of a historic economic rebuke to the Kremlin, and few major publishers are sitting on the sidelines.

So why are these companies sticking their neck out like this? It depends on the situation.

Some studios seem to be genuinely reacting to mounting public pressure. Those include EA, which removed all Russian players and teams from FIFA 22, and Epic which has suspended commerce in the country but is keeping its communication tools