State Duma deputy Anton Gorelkin commented on the attempt to curb foreign online games entering Russia by emphasizing that the plan might not deliver the intended results under current geopolitical conditions. He suggested that any new rule should be discussed with lawmakers and industry players, including game publishers from partner countries, and he conveyed this stance to RIA News.
Previously, a report in Kommersant indicated that the Russian government was weighing measures aimed at ensuring foreign online games can be accessed within the country only through compliant channels. The proposal under consideration would require game developers to establish representative offices inside Russia and to relocate or restructure server infrastructure to meet local requirements.
Gorelkin expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such a strategy given the prevailing political climate and potential enforcement challenges. He warned that the plan could encounter obstacles similar to those faced by the so-called licensing or extraction laws that have been discussed previously, which sought to tighten control over digital content and its distribution in the region.
In his view, it is essential to open a dialogue with expert associations and with game publishers based in friendly states to gauge what is feasible and to identify practical pathways for regulation that do not disrupt the broader digital market. The deputy underscored the need for a sober assessment of how the domestic market could be shaped to accommodate multiplayer gaming platforms that are native to Russia rather than relying solely on Western services.
Industry observers note that the broader regulatory approach to digital entertainment is evolving amid sanctions and shifting alliances. In this context, the focus is increasingly on how to balance national interests with the practical realities of cross-border digital distribution. The discussion centers on whether a robust domestic ecosystem for multiplayer games could provide stable access, better data privacy, and a resilient infrastructure while aligning with regulatory objectives.
On a related front, recent developments have affected access to major global platforms. News outlets reported that Sony reportedly chose not to launch the PlayStation Store in Kazakhstan as a response to sanctions affecting Russia, highlighting the geopolitical constraints that can shape distribution strategies in the region.
Earlier this year, statements from Microsoft indicated a shift in policy, with indications that some forms of free game distribution might be scaled back as part of broader compliance and strategic considerations. This underscores the way sanctions and policy discussions ripple through the consumer electronics and gaming industries, influencing both developers and players across the region.