We continue to publish videos of talks from the “Game Industry” conference, which took place this spring in Minsk. In light of yesterday’s premium longread “Russian Game Development in 2026 — An Association’s Perspective” (by the way, we recommend reading it), today we are publishing the talk “Close-Up: Sociology of Russian Game Development.” Vasily Ovchinnikov, the head of the Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry (RVI), presented it at the event.

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…

A month ago, Videogame industry development organization (VIDO) publicly announced plans to develop a strategy to support game development in Russia for the next ten years. Now it has officially presented the first version of the document.

Last spring, the Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry (RVI) launched a project called the “Developer’s Red Book” — a guide in the spirit of “Wikipedia” with useful information for Russian game teams. Almost a year later, they announced the release of a comprehensive guide dedicated to narrative design as part of this project.

The Video Game Development Industry Organization (VGIO) has announced a new initiative. It aims to develop a document outlining a “comprehensive strategy” to support game development in Russia until 2036.

Last week, the Moscow City Duma proposed introducing mandatory age labeling for internet-distributed games in Russia. This initiative was opposed by the Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry (RDVI).

The Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry (ODVGI), the company “IFSI,” and the research center NAFI sought to understand the state of the gaming market in Russia. To do this, they surveyed 4,600 people from various parts of the country.

Continuing to summarize the results of 2025 with gaming (or related to the gaming industry) teams. Up next is an interview with Vasily Ovchinnikov, the head of the Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry (RVI).

Now, a group of independent experts will monitor the work of the Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry (ODVGI).

The Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry (ODVGI) has announced new additions to its ranks.

Strategy Partners, together with the Agency of Creative Industries (ACI) and the RVA association, conducted a large-scale study of the Russian gaming market. The report pays significant attention to the situation in Moscow.

The Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry (ODVGI) has attempted to compile various crucial pieces of information in one place, which gaming companies need to operate in the Russian market. They have launched a special project called RGDBook (Russian GameDev Book) or “The Developer’s Red Book.”

Russian gaming media outlets “Kanobu” and “Igromania” have changed ownership. They were acquired by the company “IFSI,” whose CEO is Vasiliy Ovchinnikov, head of the Video Game Industry Development Organization (VGIDO).

The discussion surrounding the gaming law in Russia continues. The Video Gaming Industry Development Organization (VGIDO) proposed at a meeting in the State Duma to divide the December bill proposal into two separate laws, one of which they are prepared to handle personally.

Proposals for refining the much-discussed bill “On the Activity of Developing and Distributing Video Games in the Territory of the Russian Federation” continue to pour into the State Duma. Recently, the Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry (ODVGI) sent lawmakers its amendments.

We continue to summarize the results of 2024 with gaming (or gaming sector-related) teams and experts. This time, we spoke with Vasily Ovchinnikov, the head of the Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry (ODVGI).

The Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry (ODVGI) criticized the bill “On the Activities of Developing and Distributing Video Games on the Territory of the Russian Federation.” Representatives from the organization stated that the initiative would harm the domestic game development sector instead of aiding it.

The Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation has endorsed the project for the voluntary labeling of games in the country, developed by the Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry (RVI). This information was reported by the newspaper “Izvestia,” citing the ministry.

The consulting firm Strategy Partners and the Organization for the Development of the Video Game Industry analyzed the Russian video game market. Below are some conclusions from the study.