Russia Allocates $131 Million to Develop Domestic Call of Duty Competitor
In a significant move to bolster its domestic gaming industry, the Russian government is reportedly preparing to invest up to 10 billion rubles (approximately $131 million) to develop a video game that can directly compete with the globally popular Call of Duty franchise. This ambitious initiative comes from official proposals by Russian government ministries, according to recent reports.
Government Incentives for Game Development Studios
The substantial budget includes comprehensive incentives for any Russian game development studio willing to undertake this challenging project. These incentives are designed to make the venture more attractive and financially viable for domestic developers. The support package includes:
- Generous tax breaks to reduce operational costs
- Direct financial support for development activities
- Reduced insurance premiums for participating studios
- VAT exemptions on related purchases and services
The Russian government's clear objective is to create a high-quality military shooter that can rival Microsoft-owned Activision's immensely successful Call of Duty franchise, which has dominated the genre for years.
Official Support for Large-Scale Military Shooter Projects
According to reports from Gazeta.Ru that were later shared by IXBT, Russia's Ministry of Digital Development has confirmed that developers could receive substantial government support if they pitch a large-scale military shooter similar to Activision's Call of Duty. Such ambitious projects may qualify for backing from the Internet Development Institute, which serves as a major state-funded digital program in Russia.
This gaming initiative represents part of Russia's broader strategic objective to produce domestically made gaming products and reduce dependence on foreign entertainment software. Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin had already ordered technology companies to create gaming consoles that could compete with those manufactured by industry giants Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.
Government Statement on Funding Allocation
In an official statement obtained by Insider Gaming, Russia's Ministry of Digital Development clarified its position: "If the IRI receives an application for the allocation of funding for the development of a game on a topic corresponding to that indicated in your letter, it will be considered in the established procedure within the framework of the current competitive mechanisms."
This statement indicates that while the government is prepared to support such projects, developers must still follow established competitive procedures to secure funding for their proposals.
Political Context and Motivations Behind the Initiative
This development follows closely on the heels of Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, calling for an investigation into the Call of Duty series. The idea of creating a Russian AAA military shooter on the same scale as Call of Duty was initially raised by State Duma deputy Mikhail Delyagin.
Delyagin recently accused the Call of Duty series of promoting what he described as "Russophobia," claiming that Russian characters are "always" portrayed as the "bad guys" in the games. Russia now aims to counter this perceived negative representation with its own game, which would likely feature gameplay scenarios where players fight against forces from the United States, Britain, and Ukraine.
The timing of this announcement suggests a coordinated effort between legislative and executive branches of the Russian government to address what they perceive as cultural misrepresentation in popular media while simultaneously advancing domestic technological capabilities in the gaming sector.
