Video Games

Nintendo Considering Partnership With Controversial Russia Division Head Even As It Disavows His Side Business

Editor’s Note: The war in Ukraine is an ongoing, painful and emotional topic. IGN encourages members of the community to be respectful when engaging in conversations on this topic and does not support harassment of any kind.

With its operations in Russia reduced to a bare minimum, Nintendo still has some obligations to customers in countries where they purchased Nintendo products before the company left. And Nintendo seems to be looking at some pretty controversial numbers to form that partnership.

Questions about Nintendo’s Russian operations began thanks to a report by a Russian outlet Kommersant (via euro gamer) points out that Metroid Prime Remaster was sold in Russia thanks to a company called Achivka. Its emergence in the market was surprising given that Nintendo scaled back its operations in the country more than a year ago following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including the closure of its e-shop.

Achivka is owned by Yasha Haddazhi, who is also head of Nintendo Russia, and is a pretty controversial figure even without a side import business. Footage of him taunting Russia’s Mario Kart Stream host has gone viral. Additional Russian report Alleged further abusive behavior towards employees, particularly inappropriate remarks towards a woman who worked with him, Nintendo confirmed that his behavior was being investigated. He apparently continued in his role, at least until Nintendo Russia shut down last year.

Nonetheless, Nintendo now appears to be considering an ongoing relationship with him. , reaffirmed that it will suspend operations in Russia. The Russian employee’s contract has ended, but Nintendo has said nothing about whether Haddadji is still up for his role.

Yasha Haddazhi is the head of Nintendo Russia and is reportedly working to circumvent a sales ban in the country. | | Photo courtesy of Nintendo

Nintendo still wants to work with Yasha Hadaji

However, he confirmed that he is seriously considering working with his company Achivka as a business partner to provide “repair and warranty services” for existing Nintendo products in the country. , Nintendo claims to have nothing to do with companies such as Achivka that provide import services.

We continue to explore solutions to honor our previous commitments to our customers in the Russian market. In the spirit of this trend and transparency, LLC Achivka is in advance discussions with potential suppliers of repair and warranty services for Nintendo products already on the Russian market, and LLC Achivka is one of

We are aware that some companies in Russia carry out parallel imports of products, including Nintendo products. Nintendo is not affiliated with such companies and is not involved in parallel import activities in Russia.

Nintendo’s withdrawal from Russia follows the country’s invasion of Ukraine last February. Nintendo joined many other game companies that have slowed or stopped doing business in the country, many of which have made statements in support of Ukraine or offered assistance. was evacuated elsewhere, but other studios remained and developed games as the invasion continued.russian ukrainian war Ongoing for over 1 year.

Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. you can find her on her twitter @duck valentine.

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