World of Tanks creators leave Russia and Belarus

Conflict with multiple consequences, the war in Ukraine continues to affect the world of video games. If we know that the Ukrainian studio GSC Game World has found a haven in the Czech Republic in order to complete the development of STALKER 2, it is the turn of the studio Wargaming.net to make a radical decision to say the least. In a press release, the company announced that it will be leaving its countries, Russia and Belarus, as soon as possible. A heavy choice in meaning and consequences, as the company assures that there will be no affiliate company associated with Wargaming from afar, as is the case in these respective countries. It has been determined that management of all of their games has been assigned to Lesta Studio, which is based in Saint Petersburg but is no longer part of Wargaming.

Over the past few weeks, Wargaming has conducted a strategic review of business operations around the world. The company has decided that it will not own or operate any business in Russia and Belarus.

As of March 31, the company transferred its live gaming operations in Russia and Belarus to the local management of Lesta Studio, which is no longer affiliated with Wargaming. The company will not benefit from this process either now or in the future. On the contrary, we expect to incur significant losses as a direct result of this decision.

We will complete the operational transition at the required speed while fully complying with all laws and ensuring continued safety and support for our employees. During the transition period, live products will remain available in Russia and Belarus and will be operated by the new owner.

Wargaming has also begun the process of shutting down its studio in Minsk. It will be carried out in strict compliance with the law. Product and service managers will soon meet with their teams to discuss the impact of this decision on each department.

We will provide as much compensation and support as possible to employees affected by the change.

Wargaming is best known for its World of Tanks licence, as well as World of Warships and World of Warplanes editions, a company founded in Minsk in 1998 with no less than 5,500 employees spread all over the world. Despite his Russian origins, the publisher condemned the actions of Putin and his army and did not hesitate to immediately fire the creative director of Wold of Tanks, Sergei Burkatovsky, who publicly showed support for Russia and its actions. And there was a penalty in this process, in addition to deleting the Facebook post, explaining that “Sergey’s opinion is completely contrary to the position of the company. He is no longer an employee of Wargaming.” With this out of the country of origin, it is clear that Wargaming owes this whole war in Ukraine.