Russia wants to take revenge on Wargaming, the studio behind World of Tanks. Another studio is now suffering as a result - because Wargaming has long since taken a clear stance.
Russia seizes Lesta Games inventory and accuses Wargaming and Lesta Games executives of "extremist" behavior.
This is because Wargaming has taken a clear stance against the war in Ukraine.
Russia Goes To War With Wargaming
Russia has a problem with Wargaming. The studio has distanced itself from Russia and Belarus since the war and split in 2022 from Lesta Games, which is responsible for World of Tanks & World of Warships in Russia.
Although the name might suggest otherwise, Wargaming has a clear stance on the war: in a statement at the time, the company emphasized that it was "deeply concerned" about the events and would offer humanitarian support.
And it definitely didn't stop at empty words, as the company has repeatedly shown that it means what it says.
Withdrawal From The Russian Market And Transfer To Lesta Games
In 2011, the Belarusian company Wargaming acquired the Russian studio Lesta Games, thereby also taking over its war games: in World of Tanks and later also World of Warships, you control a tank (or a warship) and have to use tactics and the characteristics of your tank to achieve the objectives specified by the current map together with your team.
But a game and the reality in which real people die are two different things. This led to the separation from Lesta Games after the start of the war. Wargaming added that it would no longer profit from the Belarus and Russia regions, even though the profit margin there was very high.
After withdrawing from Minsk, Wargaming relocated many central functions to other countries, such as Cyprus, where its headquarters are now located, Poland, and Lithuania.
Seizure Of Lesta Games
Although Lesta Games is relatively apolitical and occasionally adapts its actions to suit its Russian player base, the Russian government now describes the heads of both companies as "members of an extremist organization" and appears to care little about Wargaming's complete separation from Lesta Games.
According to reports, the Russian government has seized the assets of the Lesta Group because of these allegations and also wants to confiscate all shares in the company held by Khatazhaev, CEO of Lesta Games.
Russia's problem is apparently a fundraising campaign that Wargaming launched in support of Ukraine, from which Lesta Games distanced itself.
And that's not all: The Belarusian KGB has added Nikolai Katselapov, Wargaming's head of business development, to its list of terrorists.
A Company That Doesn't Make Empty Promises
It didn't take long for Wargaming to act, announcing its withdrawal from Russia in April 2022, just two months after the war began.
At the same time, Wargaming has supported its Ukrainian employees from the very beginning: helping them and their families to relocate and providing financial support during these difficult times.
And because double standards have no place here, Wargaming fired its Creative Director Sergey Burkatovskiy for making positive comments about Russia's war of aggression.
More than 1 million USD was donated through the WargamingUnited Campaign to buy C-type ambulances for Ukraine! A total of 90 thousand bundles were purchased, with players from 115 countries participating.We wish to express our gratitude for the support of our community. pic.twitter.com/hG7eKhrHQP
— World of Tanks (@worldoftanks) November 13, 2023
Over the years, Wargaming has repeatedly demonstrated what many history enthusiasts agree on:
"If You Want Peace, Prepare For War"
This quote from the German philosopher Walter Benjamin is emblazoned on the German Tank Museum in Munster. It's not this museum that has teamed up with Wargaming, but rather the British Tank Museum in Bovington.
The partnership between Wargaming and the Tank Museum is a perfect example of how digital media and gaming can contribute to teaching history.
Not only is Wargaming the main sponsor of the annual "Tankfest", where you can experience your favorite tanks in real life, but the company also regularly donates large sums of money to educational and restoration projects and offers in-game purchases to support the tank museum.
Are you also fascinated by military history and have you heard of World of Tanks or the Tank Museum?