Russia's attack on Ukraine rages on as Gran Turismo 7, the latest version of the popular PlayStation game, launches around the world. And it would appear that Sony has taken measures to support Ukraine by banning the sale of the game in Russia.At midnight this morning Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo 7 dropped, however, it was unexpectedly absent from the Russian PlayStation Store where the racing game is tagged with a release date as "pending confirmation." While Sony has yet to release an official statement regarding the move, it is believed to have made the decision only last night.Earlier this week Ukraine's deputy prime minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, released an open letter to the world. He called on all game development companies and Esports platforms "to protect Ukraine, Europe and, finally, the entire democratic world" by temporarily blocking all Russian and Belarusian game accounts, not allowing Russian and Belarusian teams and gamers to compete in any international Esport events, and cancel all events being held in Russia and Belarus. Federov went on to say that he hopes modern technology is the best way to answer the tanks and missiles entering his country.
Sony joins other game companies that are heeding the call to help Ukraine. Just yesterday, The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt halted game sales to both Russia and Belarus as well as blocked all digital purchases from those countries through its online PC games store GOG. The company also announced it would halt all merchandise shipments to both nations indefinitely.
Additional support is pouring in from all sectors of the gaming industry. John Romero, former id designer and founder, released a new level for Doom 2 supporting Ukraine. EA removed all Russian teams from its FIFA 22 soccer game, and all Russian and Belarusian teams from NHL 22. The Polish game development company 11 Bit Studios, makers of the anti-war game This War of Mine, pledged to donate to the Ukrainian Red Cross, and streamers around the world are donating money to Ukrainian charities.
Sony is one the highest-profile game companies to take a stand against Russia. And with Gran Turismo 7 being the first major game release since Russia invaded Ukraine, it's unknown if this will be Sony's new policy moving forward with all upcoming releases, or if this was just a one-off scenario to make a statement.
Gran Turismo 7 is available now on PS4 and PS5.
Source: Eurogamer
