Four years ago, the Russian gaming industry hit turbulent times. Established connections and processes were disrupted. Translation issues arose, and many teams, including large and successful ones, relocated. The game development sector seemed isolated. As a result, a part of the community formed the opinion that the industry needed rebuilding from scratch. New gaming organizations like RVI and APRIORI were involved in this reconstruction. We spoke with them about how they perceive the current state…

We continue summarizing the results of 2025 with game-related (or gaming industry-related) teams. Next in line is an interview with Alena Linnik, the Chief Operating Officer of the Association of Professionals in the Game Operation and Development Industry (APRION).

The Internet Development Institute (IRI), the APRIORI association, and the Skolkovo Foundation conducted a study on the state of the game development industry in Russia. They interviewed 140 developers: both from game studios and solo developers.

The team behind the Russian engine, Nau Engine, has decided to close its legal entity, as indicated by data from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (EGRUL). The newspaper “Kommersant” took notice of this development.

In the report on the study of government support for the gaming industry in Russia, APRIORI, IRI, and “EBR” not only shared survey results but also their recommendations. They are confident that a comprehensive strategy needs to be developed in the country.

Russian gaming companies are in need of state support, but only a small number have managed to obtain it. This conclusion was reached by the specialized association APRIORI, the Institute for Internet Development (IID), and the legal company “EBR” based on the results of a survey conducted in March.

The APRIORI Association, the Internet Development Institute (IRI), and the legal company “EBR” want to find out what Russian developers think about support for the game development industry in the country. They have launched a special survey.

The Association of Professionals in the Game Operations and Development Industry (APRIORI) has prepared what are known as competency maps for gaming specialists. These are tables listing the professional skills of game development employees.

A group of Russian companies has submitted their suggestions to the Russian State Duma regarding changes that should be made to the bill, which regulates the gaming industry in the country. In their view, a significant portion of the requirements needs to be changed.

App2Top concludes the summary of 2024 with gaming (or gaming-related) teams and experts. For the second time in this year’s summary, we spoke with Alexander Mikheev for the final installment. This time, he answered questions as the CEO of APRIORI.

An initiative group has launched a voluntary labeling of game content on a trial basis. It includes the Association of Professionals in the Gaming Operations and Development Industry (APRIORI), Lesta Games, Astrum Entertainment, 1C Games, VK Play, and RuStore. The labeling will be tested on domestic platforms VK Play and RuStore.

Alexander Mikheev, CEO of the Association of Industry Professionals in Game Operation and Development (APRION), told the newspaper “Izvestia” that the start of a voluntary experiment to label games in the Russian market is planned for early fall. He did not specify an exact date but indicated that the initiative will begin no earlier than September 1.

The “Green Labeling” of video games, announced last week, uncovered contradictions between the existing young gaming associations in Russia. This has escalated into an open conflict and accusations.

Organized this year by the Association of Professionals of the Operating and Game Development Industry (A PRIORI) together with the Institute for Internet Development (IRI) and the Foundation for the Development of Internet Initiatives (FRII) is discussing the possibility of creating an acceleration program for game dev. This was stated during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum by A PRIORI CEO Alexander Mikheev. Here is an edited version of his speech.

Last year, Russian game developers had difficulties with access to foreign software and a shortage of domestic analogues. The Gaming Association A PRIORI decided to deal with the problem.