In the first 11 months of 2023, more than a million game consoles found new homes across Russia, a pace that doubles the market activity seen in the same stretch of the previous year. This trend is highlighted in reports cited by Vedomosti, which reference data from the retailer M.Video-Eldorado. Financially, the market surged from about 8 billion rubles to roughly 18 billion rubles in the period, underscoring a sharp shift in consumer interest and purchasing power.
When counting units, about 35% of sales come from PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles. In terms of revenue, however, these three brands account for an overwhelming 85% of the market. The strength of these brands signals a consumer preference for well-known ecosystems, reliable game libraries, and access to a broad range of exclusive titles.
Similar market signals emerged from Yandex Market and Wildberries, which reported substantial growth in gaming devices sold in the Russian Federation. Sales for these platforms show increases of 2.7 times and 3.8 times respectively. PlayStation and Xbox emerge as market leaders in both retailers, while Yandex Market notes growing demand for retro consoles and portable set-top boxes, reflecting a diverse and evolving consumer base that values both nostalgia and mobility in gaming.
Industry observers attribute the rapid niche expansion to a combination of factors. The revival of product lines, stabilized supply chains, a favorable base effect from the prior year, the release of major game titles, and the rising popularity of gaming as a mainstream leisure activity all contribute to the momentum. These elements intersect as households invest more in entertainment hardware that can serve both long-form campaigns and quick, casual play sessions amid changing lifestyle patterns.
Additionally, the market environment is coinciding with the launch of notable projects in related segments. For instance, exploration of Escape From Tarkov Arena has moved into closed beta testing, signaling ongoing investments in competitive, community-driven experiences that can extend the life cycle of existing hardware while attracting new users into the ecosystem.