By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Sony officially concluded its operations in Russia on August 11, dissolving its local subsidiary after 18 years of business. The company initiated its exit shortly after the invasion of Ukraine, halting console shipments, suspending services, and donating to relief efforts. Several divisions followed suit, including Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music. Financial losses, stemming from reduced sales and operational changes, ultimately prompted the closure of branded stores and the final liquidation of the subsidiary.
Read the original article here
Sony closes all operations in Russia after 18 years, ending PlayStation, Music, and Film presence, and it’s hard not to see this as a significant event. It feels like a moment of finality, a definitive break. We saw the suspension of PlayStation services in 2022, and the halting of music and film operations followed in the same year and 2023. Now, the complete and utter exit. Good riddance, some might say, and the sentiment seems widespread.
It sparks a ripple of thoughts, doesn’t it? A sense of closure, sure, but also a question: will others follow suit? Steam, specifically, is mentioned more than once in the comments, with people hoping for similar action. There’s a definite desire to see other major tech players step away. The reasons are multifaceted, of course. The economic reality of doing business in a country facing significant inflation is probably a major factor, coupled with other challenges.
There is a palpable sense of disappointment as well, tinged with a touch of anger. The memories of Western companies entering the Russian market, of Spotify, Steam, and officially localized games are present, and the loss of it feels like a personal betrayal. There’s sadness and frustration wrapped up in the idea that these opportunities were lost thanks to one man and his ambitions.
A common theme emerges: the feeling that this decision, while potentially late, is the right one. Many comment on the moral weight of the situation, suggesting that it’s about time companies took a stance. There’s even a suggestion that this move will hurt the war machine. One can’t help but be curious to how it will influence events.
And of course, the impact on everyday users is discussed. The idea that every PlayStation console in Russia might become practically useless because it can’t connect to servers is another layer of complexity. It’s a direct impact on the lives of gamers. A number of users highlight the sense of loss and a desire for these actions to extend to other major platforms. There’s even a wistful, almost ironic, suggestion that if Steam were shut down, it could potentially push gamers to take action.
Interestingly, there’s a clash of opinions on the motivations behind the move. While some view it as a morally driven decision, the more cynical perspective is present too: companies, ultimately, are driven by profit. It’s easy to believe that companies left Russia because they could not do business properly. The issues with payments, and how complex it has become, is a major factor, as is the reality of how the market has changed.
There are debates over the role of gamers in this situation and what impact that would have on them. Some see gaming as a way for people to connect rather than for them to engage in real-life conflicts. The complexities of VPN use are touched upon, too. It’s clear that this is a multifaceted situation with different perspectives on what the consequences of these changes could be.
It’s also interesting to see the conversation shift, with the focus moving to other related aspects. The quality of localizations and the frustration that arise from poor translations and mixed languages in the PS Store draw some of these discussions. It is a side effect of the greater issue.
Ultimately, Sony’s complete exit from Russia is a watershed moment, and it remains to be seen what ripple effects this event will create. There’s a clear desire for other companies to follow suit.