Putin Wants Russia to Create Its Own Video Game Consoles

[Dr. Zoidberg]

Putin Wants Russia to Create Its Own Video Game Consoles

Putin calls for the development of both stationary and portable video game consoles. But local media says the plan could take up to a decade to bear fruit.

Russia, the country that brought us Tetris, is looking at creating its own video game industry, which will include the development of consoles.

During a socio-economic meeting this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government to consider the matter, according to local media reports. The government edict specifically calls for Russia to look at producing both "stationary and portable game consoles," along with an OS and cloud system for delivering games to customers.

Putin floated the order when all the major video game makers—including Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo—have halted official sales to Russia, following the country's invasion of Ukraine. Despite the ban, local Russian vendors are still finding ways to import foreign video game consoles. But it looks like the Kremlin sees an opportunity to create its own domestic video game industry amid the harsh economic sanctions from the West.

Putin has given the government until June 15 to study the ambitious proposal. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will oversee the effort. But it's clear the undertaking won't be easy. Russian newspaper Kommersant reports that Putin has likely entrusted the Russian technology company VK to carry out the plan. Nevertheless, the newspaper adds: "Market participants say that there is no competence to produce their own PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and creating such a system from scratch will take up to ten years."

Indeed, developing a console not only requires an ample supply of advanced chips — when the US has been blocking such shipments —but also a strong ecosystem of software developers. Still, Kommersant says a more realistic option is for Russia to source the video game hardware from China to create a portable console similar to Valve's Steam Deck.

Source: PC Mag

[ian]

All Russia has to do is bring out a Kremlin-boy.

It will be be the original Gameboy Tetris but have a backlight and a battery that can last 500 hours of continuous Tetris play.

I would buy such a device before I'd buy that stupid Sony thing that can't even play games...

[Hawq]

Runs on 16 potatoes, has one game Invade Ukraine & is mandatory for all of serving age to play

[pixel]

I want to see Dendy make its triumphant return. The handheld and gaming tech YouTube channels would go crazy over one.