Many large international game developers and publishers started pulling back from the Russian market as they localized new titles. A major industry daily covered the shift, noting the wider trend after years of expansion and localized releases.
In the space exploration RPG Starfield, Bethesda’s title slated for release in 2023, the Russian language was dropped from the list of supported languages in mid-April, signaling a broader localization strategy shift. This move coincided with others from major studios moving away from Russian voiceovers and subtitles in upcoming games.
Among those making such adjustments was Sega, which confirmed that Russian localization would not accompany several of its forthcoming titles. The company quietly updated its language options as part of a global localization review, reflecting a growing caution in how content is presented to Russian-speaking players.
Similarly, the Total War Warhammer 3 add-on saw Russian language support removed just days before its release, a decision that drew attention from players who had anticipated full localization support for the expansion.
Earlier, in 2022, a broad array of publishers paused sales to Russian accounts and paused new purchases within the Russian market. This included big names such as Bethesda, Sega, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, and CD Projekt, all of whom re-evaluated distribution and localization strategies in response to evolving regulatory and market conditions.
Alongside these publishing decisions, major console platform holders tightened their stance. Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo took steps that affected the availability and localization of titles on their systems, aligning with ongoing shifts in regional strategies for Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
There were also notable service-level changes by Sony, which restricted access to certain titles on its Russian digital storefronts and, in some cases, refunded players who had pre-ordered affected games. While some titles still carried partial localization plans in development, the Russian localization of major projects faced renewed scrutiny and adjustments, illustrating a broader trend in how multinational publishers adapt to diverse markets while balancing regulatory realities and consumer expectations. (Vedomosti)