Wargaming Plans to Relocate up to 30% of its Belarusian Staff

The ongoing liquidation of Wargaming’s Minsk office involves significant workforce restructuring, with plans to relocate approximately 30% of the Belarusian staff. Following the company's decision to exit the Russian and Belarusian markets in response to the conflict in Ukraine, the transition has resulted in widespread layoffs and uncertainty for the remaining personnel. While the company initially projected a four-month timeline for the closure, internal reports suggest that the process is accelerating, with many employees expecting full staff termination by the end of May 2022.

The restructuring strategy prioritizes the retention of top-tier developers and specialized talent, while the majority of the workforce faces dismissal. To manage the transition, the company has implemented incentive programs, offering compensation packages and career support services for employees who choose to resign early. Despite these measures, staff members have expressed concerns regarding a lack of transparent communication from leadership, as well as the potential impact of the mass departure on their professional standing in the labor market and the company’s future production capacity.

Alternative scenarios regarding the office's future remain under discussion, including the possibility that some staff may be transferred to a separate legal entity associated with the Saint Petersburg-based Lesta Studio. This shift is part of a broader industry trend where gaming companies have suspended or divested their operations in the region. The findings are based on anecdotal accounts from anonymous Wargaming employees, highlighting the operational and human impact of the company's sudden withdrawal from its Belarusian base.