Japanese video game company Nintendo announced this Thursday that it is ceasing operations in Russia, where it has already reduced operations from 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops.
Nintendo “temporarily” suspended exports to Russia last March.
Goods for sale through the company’s Internet portal were no longer available due to the suspension of operations in rubles (the currency of Russia).
“Due to this situation and the economic outlook, Nintendo Europe has taken the decision to close the operations of the Russian subsidiary,” the Japanese company said in a brief statement released Wednesday evening.
The business group, based in Kyoto, western Japan, also indicated that customers who already had a “Nintendo Account” would be able to download already purchased digital content, but “it is no longer possible to create a new account.”
The portal also removed data related to payments “for security reasons,” the company said in a statement.
Sony, a Japanese video game rival, has already announced in 2022 that it will suspend exports of games and consoles to Russia.
Other major video game makers such as Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, Niantic and Take-Two have also announced similar measures.