Electronic Arts And Microsoft Cut Sales To Russia, Hi-Rez Funnels Russian Revenue To UNICEF

Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and Hi-Rez Studios have joined other video game developers and companies in protesting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. EA and Microsoft have cut all ties with the invading country while Hi-Rez is taking a more practical route to show their support for Ukraine.

In addition to removing the Russian and Belarusian teams from NHL 2022 and their FIFA games, Electronic Arts has also stopped all game, DLC, content, and currency sales in Russia and Belarus on all official storefronts and third-party vendors.

Microsoft has also suspended all new game sales in Russia and are working with the US, UK, and the European Union to cease all business operations in Russia to comply with the government sanctions placed on the region. Microsoft President Brad Smith also said that they’re working with the Ukrainian government to improve the nation’s cybersecurity and help defend against Russian hacker attacks.

Hi-Rez Studios, on the other hand, will not stop sales in Russia but will instead be donating all revenues generated from the country in March and April to UNICEF in aid of the children affected by the armed conflict. The company has already donated $50,000 as a down payment. “Money spent on our games in Russia is spent to help Ukraine,” said CEO Stewart Chisam.