World of Tanks developer Wargaming to close studios and transfer operation of games Wargaming, the developer of the online military games World of Tanks, World of Warships, and World of Warplanes, has announced that it will pull out of operations in Russia and Belarus and move to close its studios in the two countries following the invasion of Ukraine.
While many games companies have withdrawn from the Russian and Belarusian markets in recent weeks, this move is particularly significant.
It also said that, effective March 31, it had transferred the business of operating its games in Russia and Belarus to Lesta Studio, a Russian developer that Wargaming acquired in 2011, but which “is no longer affiliated with Wargaming,” according to the statement.
The games will remain available in Russia and Belarus under Lesta’s ownership.