It looks like the video gaming industry has been embroiled in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. On Wednesday March 2 Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine who is also minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, issued a formal statement calling on all game development companies and esports platforms to block all Russian and Belorussian accounts, and temporarily stop all participation in esports events by Russian and Belorussian teams.
You are definitely aware of what is happening in Ukraine right now. Russia declare war not for Ukraine but for all civilized world. If you support human values, you should live the Russian market! pic.twitter.com/tnQr13BsSv
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 2, 2022
This comes on the heels of Microsoft’s official response on the matter, in which Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith stated, in part, that the company was committed to helping protect the Ukraine government from cyberattacks. He also stated that Microsoft was committed to supporting humanitarian aid efforts as well as to the protection of its employees on both sides of the conflict.
The gaming community has thus far raised in excess of $1 million so far, with companies like Polish Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 creator CD Projekt Red leading the way. The indie games community is also getting in on the effort to help the people of Ukraine by putting together a big charity bundle. It will be called Bundle for Ukraine and will be available for purchase beginning March 7, according to Necrosoftgames director Brandon Sheffield.
ATTENTION GAME DEVELOPERS. We have begun accepting submissions for a bundle to support Ukraine on https://t.co/vTbmDLvWUP. We will, once again, show the world that video games can be a force for good. Please spread this far and wide.https://t.co/YXuUH0UsXT
— brandon sheffield (@necrosofty) February 28, 2022
Further details are scarce at this point at this effort is a work in progress, but if you are interested in the bundle – and helping the people of Ukraine – you can keep checking back here to find out more, as for now the bundle is still being put together.
