Two-thirds of Russians view e-sports positively and support its development. This trend was highlighted by analysts from the Rambler&Co media holding, who surveyed Internet users about the skills online games can foster and whether they might replace traditional sports. The findings reflect a broad openness to the digital sports ecosystem and its potential impact on youth, education, and entertainment choices across the country and beyond.
Approximately 37 percent of e-sports supporters enjoy online gaming, while 21 percent believe professional gaming is a viable path for young people. A smaller share, 9 percent, actively participate in e-sports competitions. The data shows a nuanced spectrum of attitudes: a significant portion of respondents question whether tournaments between players can be considered true sports, and nearly half describe e-sports as general entertainment. About 29 percent reported boredom with watching such events, 9 percent do not like video games, and 4 percent doubt that e-sports can help develop useful skills.
When asked to identify the most popular e-sports disciplines, shooters lead the field with 42 percent of respondents selecting this category. Strategy games attract 28 percent, and MOBA titles garner 10 percent, reflecting diverse preferences within the community. Football simulators and fighting games account for 10 percent and 5 percent of choices, respectively, illustrating a broad competitive landscape and varied gamer interests beyond the marquee genres.
Survey participants also explained what useful skills e-sports can develop. Just under half, about 42 percent, believe that playing games enhances information processing speed. Twenty-three percent feel that gaming helps with reaction training, while 19 percent point to improvements in logic. Eleven percent mention imagination, and five percent connect gaming with improved concentration and attention. These perceived advantages underline how digital competition intersects with cognitive and perceptual training in a modern, tech-driven society.
Rambler&Co notes that the broader context of these perceptions includes ongoing conversations about the legitimacy of e-sports as a form of sport, its cultural value, and its potential to foster career pathways in technology, communication, and analytics. The survey was conducted with a large sample, aiming to capture a representative cross-section of Internet users and their evolving relationship with gaming, teamwork, and competitive play.
The international Games of the Future event is planned to take place in Kazan for the first time between February 21 and March 3, highlighting how regional hubs are increasingly hosting global competitions. This event is part of a growing trend where cities link local gaming communities with international audiences, creating opportunities for sponsorship, youth outreach, and educational programs that leverage e-sports to develop digital literacy and teamwork among participants.
The Rambler&Co survey was carried out over a specific timeframe in February, gathering responses from a broad audience of Internet users. In total, more than twenty thousand respondents participated, providing a substantial data set for analysis of public sentiment, skill development perceptions, and the cultural positioning of e-sports within the broader entertainment landscape. The results offer a snapshot of how digital play is perceived in Russia and how similar trends may resonate in other markets, including Canada and the United States, where e-sports communities continue to expand and influence youth culture, education, and career opportunities.