IRI Head Confident in Russia's Full Game Import Substitution Within 3-5 Years
Alexei Goreslavsky, CEO of the Institute for Internet Development (IRI), has expressed strong optimism regarding Russia's ability to achieve full import substitution in the video game industry within the next three to five years.
Speaking at the Russian Internet Governance Forum (RIGF), Goreslavsky acknowledged that while the gaming sector remains the most challenging area for domestic replacement, significant progress has already been made in other media, such as television series, which he noted are "almost fully substituted" in Russia.
He elaborated that the development of video games demands substantially greater investments and resources compared to producing films or series. This higher barrier to entry naturally leads to a slower transition of the audience towards Russian-made projects. Goreslavsky emphasized that establishing a comprehensive alternative to foreign games and successfully reorienting an entire generation of users is a complex undertaking. Nevertheless, he asserted his confidence that this formidable goal is entirely achievable with the right strategic approach.
To support his perspective, Goreslavsky referenced data from VTsIOM (Russian Public Opinion Research Center) surveys. These studies indicate a notable increase in the viewership of Russian TV series, with their audience share rising from approximately 70% in the 2022–2023 season to an impressive 85% by 2025. Concurrently, interest in foreign projects saw a decline, dropping from 56% to 40% during the same period, illustrating a clear shift towards local content.
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