Sanctions on Crimea had already resulted in Google and Apple suspending their services in the region caught between Russia and Ukraine's conflict. Now some of the world's most popular video games and video game services have been temporarily shuttered in the region.
Blizzard suspended its Battle.Net service in Crimea, which has resulted in citizens being unable to play games that require a connection to gaming platform. Games unplayable now in Crimea include Diablo III, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, Heroes of the Storm and World of Warcraft.
Blizzard apologized to its Crimean customers. It the situation improves for the better, Blizzard will try to restore service, the company stated in a notice to its Battle.Net subscribers.
"You are receiving this email because, in accordance with current trade regulations relating to the region of Crimea, we are legally required to suspend access to your Battle.net account," stated Blizzard (via Geektimes.Ru). "Any recurring subscription payment will be canceled."
Blizzard joins a long list of companies that have complied with U.S. sanctions and have suspended their services in Crimea based on Executive Order 13685 in December signed by President Barack Obama for "additional steps to address the Russian occupation of the Crimea region of Ukraine." Blizzard isn't the only gaming company to comply with the sanctions, as Valve, owner of the world's largest digital distribution platform for gaming, has shut off access to its store in Crimea.
"Your purchase cannot be completed due to U.S. trade restrictions," stated Valve's Steam platform to a Crimean resident looking to purchase a game.
While the effects of the U.S. sanction may devastate gamers, the embargoes have been seriously crippling the region's ability to conduct business. Crimean citizens can only purchase goods or services with cash or Russia's new Pro-100 credit systems because all of the major financial institutions have pulled out -- that includes Visa, MasterCard, PayPal and others.
The Pro-100, which was started by a state-owned bank in Russia, was rolled out in short order in Crimea, according to Oleg Saveliev, the Kremlin's minister for Crimea. The new credit system is the only way for people in Crimea to get cash, as even those with Russian bank cards can't withdraw funds in the peninsula.
"We are really hoping that our bankers and national bank are able to integrate the systems before the summer, so that tourists who come here with their usual cards are able to use them," said Saveliev.
Even Apple developers in Crimea have been hurt by the U.S. sanctions. In January of this year, Apple notified Registered Apple Developers (RAD) in Crimea that their contracts with the company have been terminated.
"We would like to remind you of your obligations with regard to software and all other confidential information that you obtained from Apple as a Registered Apple Developer," stated Apple in the notice to RAD members. "You must promptly cease all use of and destroy such materials and comply with all the other obligations set forth termination in the RAD agreement."
