Sony has decided not to launch a separate PlayStation Store page for Kazakhstan following the closure of its digital storefront in Russia. Reports from local media indicate that this stance has been confirmed by the company, which continues to evaluate regional access while weighing regulatory, financial, and logistical considerations in Central Asia. The announcement underscores Sony’s ongoing assessment of how its digital ecosystems should function across neighboring markets and the ripple effects on gamers who previously relied on cross-border access.
The decision to block the Russian PS Store extended beyond gamers based in the Russian Federation. It also affected residents of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) because the PlayStation digital storefront remains configured to Russia, and many CIS players created or maintained accounts under Russian region settings to access digital content and online services. This alignment meant that shifts in Russia’s store availability had direct consequences for users in adjacent countries, complicating access to a catalog of games, add-ons, and online multiplayer services for those who had depended on cross-border arrangements.
As a result, many players outside Russia found themselves unable to purchase digital copies of new releases, download updates, or maintain PlayStation Plus subscriptions necessary to participate in online multiplayer ecosystems with players based in Russia and other CIS regions as of March 2022. The practical effect was a disruption of routine digital ownership and ongoing subscription access for a segment of the global PlayStation community, prompting discussions among players about alternatives, regional travel considerations, and the potential for regional remappings of accounts in the future.
Askhat Orazbek, the Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry in Kazakhstan, remarked that Sony has no plans to open a Kazakhstan-specific PS Store at this time. He referenced the response received from Sony Group Corporation as the basis for the stance. The minister’s comments reflect the broader regional dialogue about how major platform ecosystems balance market access with regulatory frameworks and the concentration of payment rails. In practical terms, Kazakh users who previously could have explored regional options within the existing framework may need to adapt to the current structure, which remains centered on the Russian storefront for digital distribution and related services.
“Since Russian citizens have the opportunity to open accounts in our local banks, Sony Corporation does not currently plan to open access to Sony PlayStation accounts in our region, Central Asia,” Orazbek told reporters. While this statement directly addresses Kazakhstan’s immediate expectations, it also highlights the broader dynamic of payment infrastructure, identity verification, and regional licensing that shapes how digital storefronts are deployed across neighboring territories. In the wake of these developments, users in Central Asia are weighing their options for game purchases, subscriptions, and cloud-based services, while policy makers and industry observers monitor any potential regulatory shifts that could influence future availability or cross-border access.
Earlier in the timeline, there were reports of a separate issue affecting certain PlayStation devices. Some users who had previously purchased a PlayStation 5 Slim noted a problem with disk drive functionality. This hardware concern, while not directly tied to the digital storefront, adds to the broader picture of consumer experience around PlayStation products in the region, highlighting the importance of reliable regional support channels, warranty coverage, and access to replacement parts. The interplay between hardware reliability and digital service access can shape overall satisfaction for a market that values both robust hardware and a thriving online ecosystem.