The Game Industry Association for representatives of the gamemadev market has appeared in Russia
By ForGeeks A new structure has been created in the Russian video game market – the Game Industry Association (GIA), which aims to unite industry players to jointly address regulatory challenges, according to Kommersant. Despite the existence of other gaming associations, their disparate actions have not yet led to significant results.
Some of the other gaming associations, however, have not yet taken significant action.
The current members of AII are Lesta Games and 1C Game Studios, but other Russian developers are expected to join in the future. The legal entity of AII was registered back in 2020, but since December 2021 the information about the founders remains closed. According to SPARK-Interfax, since October 3, 2024, Vladimir Prokuronov, who previously served as deputy director of development at ANO Digital Economy, which brings together representatives of government and business structures, including Mincifra, Sber, Russian Post and other organizations, has become the association’s director.
The AII told the publication that it plans to focus on developing a consolidated business position on game development and digital creative industries initiatives.
There are several associations already active in the market, such as the Association of Professionals in the Game Operation and Development Industry (APRIORI), which includes VK Play, Astrum Entertainment and United Games; the ANO “Video Game Industry Development Organization” (VDI) led by Vasily Ovchinnikov, developer of PvP.Tools; R.A.D.I. Video Games, which brings together major vendors and suppliers, including DNS, diHouse and others; and the Cybersports Infrastructure Development Association, which includes Colizeum, True Gamers and CyberX. Kommersant’s sources say that APRIORI may become a full member of the AII in the future.
Sources say that APRIORI may become a part of the AII in the future.
Gaukhar Aldiyarova, head of Lesta Games’ Moscow office, believes that the video game industry should unite to address regulatory issues. She is supported by Albert Zhiltsov, head of 1C Game Studios, who believes that this will improve the dialog between game companies and the government.
She is also supported by Albert Zhiltsov, head of 1C Game Studios, who believes that this will improve the dialog between game companies and the government.
One of the main tasks remains the introduction of a video game labeling system, says a source from the media sphere. Russia does not have an analog of the American ESRB or European PEGI, and games are labeled on the basis of the federal law “On the Protection of Children from Information…” like other media. The Russian Ministry of Economic Development has already approved the RVI project on voluntary labeling of games, which is scheduled to start in 2025.
