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| CD Projekt Red halt sales in Russia |
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has generated shocks in the video game industry. Ukraine-based studios, such as STALKER 2's GSC Game World, have halted development as teammates prioritize their families and national security. CD Projekt, based in adjacent Poland, is also doing its part to show support with Ukraine. On Thursday, CD Projekt formally stated that all CD Projekt Red game sales, as well as GOG distribution, would be halted in Russia and Belarus.
The company announced an improved effort to provide assistance to Ukraine in a message sent to CD Projekt Red's official Twitter account. This begins with the cessation of all CD Projekt Red game sales in both Russia and its ally, Belarus. To that end, CD Projekt is presently negotiating with its distribution partners to remove its portfolio of games from digital platforms, including Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher franchise. It is also seeking to halt physical copies of CD Projekt Red games from being shipped to the two nations. It will take time, but the steps have already been taken.
CD Projekt owns the GOG digital distribution platform, allowing it to expand its operations beyond the sale of its own games. The letter also says that all games available on the GOG site would be removed from Russia and Belarus. Over 5,000 titles are available on GOG.
— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) March 3, 2022
The importance of this judgment cannot be emphasized. Closing the availability of CD Projekt Red games in Russia and Belarus will have a significant financial impact on the company. Russia and Belarus contribute 5.4 percent of CD Projekt Red's total revenue and 3.7 percent of GOG's revenue. It may not result in any major changes at CD Projekt, but it is clear that this was not a rash decision.
When asked why CD Projekt made this decision, the company made it absolutely clear that it "stands strong with the people of Ukraine." While CD Projekt does not seek to be a political body, it believes that "commercial entities, when unified, have the capacity to inspire global change." It acknowledges that there will be players in both Russia and Belarus who will be unable to access CD Projekt Red's portfolio of titles, but believes that this decision must be made anyway.
The Russian and Belarusian invasion and war against Ukraine began on February 24 and is still underway. Dozens of game developers across the industry have made clear remarks in favor of Ukraine, made significant donations to humanitarian operations, or gone even further, as CD Projekt has.
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