Nintendo‘s recent decision to suspend product shipments to Russia and place the Nintendo eShop under maintenance has had a profound impact on the Russian gaming market. In early 2022, Nintendo took this drastic step following the suspension of transactions in Russian rubles by payment providers. Now, Nintendo of Europe has made the difficult decision to wind down its operations in Russia, citing the challenging economic outlook as a determining factor.
Existing Russian Nintendo Account holders will continue receiving limited service
However, the company remains committed to its loyal customer base in Russia and is taking steps to honour its previous commitments. The Russian version of Nintendo eShop will continue to offer a limited service to existing customers. Effective May 31st, 2023, and for the foreseeable future, Russian customers who possess an active Nintendo Account will still be able to redownload digital content they have previously purchased. This move aims to ensure that players can continue to access and enjoy the games they have invested in.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that creating new Nintendo Accounts with a country setting of Russia will no longer be possible. As a precautionary measure, payment information associated with Nintendo Accounts, such as credit card or PayPal details, has been deleted for security reasons. While this may inconvenience some customers, Nintendo prioritizes the safety and protection of its users’ personal information.
Nintendo’s decision to wind down operations in Russia reflects the complexities of the global gaming market and the challenges faced by multinational companies in navigating economic uncertainties. The sales of the Nintendo Switch are already expected to take a hit this year. Despite this setback, the company remains committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences to players worldwide, while taking appropriate measures to ensure the security and satisfaction of its loyal customer base.
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(Via)
