Russia may start identifying gamers by phone, biometrics or through Gosuservices
By ForGeeks A group of Russian parliamentarians, including representatives of the State Duma and the Federation Council, has prepared a bill regulating the development and distribution of video games in Russia. The initiators include deputies Anton Gorelkin, Anton Nemkin and Yana Lantratova, as well as senators Artem Sheikin, Liliya Gumerova and Natalia Kuvshinova. The document envisages the introduction of new rules for digital platforms, publishers and players, including mandatory identification of users and notification of the content of games.
New requirements for platforms and publishers
The bill stipulates that digital distribution platforms must provide publishers with technical capabilities to inform players about the content of games. Users should be warned about the presence of profanity, violence, cruelty, alcohol consumption, smoking and other potentially negative elements in games. Aspects that may cause fear or panic should also be labeled.
In addition, video game publishers are required to identify players when authorizing through a mobile number, Gosudservices, or the Unified Biometric System. This requirement must apply to all game services operating in Russia, regardless of the country of origin. The law also provides for the expert examination of content to identify elements prohibited in Russia.
The law also provides for the examination of content to identify elements prohibited in Russia.
Possible consequences for the market
Experts express doubts that international platforms such as Steam or GOG will comply with the new requirements. This could lead to their blocking in Russia. Representatives of the Association of Game Industry Professionals, including general director Alexander Mikheev, say such measures are premature, as the country is already running an experiment on voluntary labeling of games. As part of this experiment, elements such as violent scenes, alcohol and drug demonstrations, use of profanity, and warnings about in-game microtransactions are being evaluated.
Negative Market Reaction
According to representatives of the game industry, developers did not participate in the discussion of the bill. They note that the new requirements may lead to additional costs for Russian companies, which will put them in unequal conditions with foreign competitors. Foreign publishers may continue to operate in Russia, ignoring the need to connect to national identification systems, which creates an imbalance in market conditions.
A voluntary labeling experiment for games from Lesta Games, Astrum Entertainment, VK Play, and RuStore launched in Russia this October. It involves assessing content for violent scenes, sexual elements, alcohol use and other factors, which already allows users to be more informed. However, the bill suggests mandatory regulation, which could significantly change the video game market in Russia.
The bill also suggests mandatory regulation, which could significantly change the video game market in Russia.
