Russia’s push to develop homegrown gaming consoles faces hurdles as two distinct projects emerge. Despite the nation’s desire to produce consoles powered by domestic technology for Russian consumers, the machines in development have garnered little excitement due to their limited capabilities. One of the consoles is underpowered, while the other offers a cloud-based gaming solution at an affordable price.
Back in March, Putin urged the Russian government to create both stationary and portable consoles, along with operating systems and cloud delivery systems. In line with these instructions, one of the consoles in development is set to be powered by the Elbrus processor. Manufactured by the Moscow Center of SPARC Technologies (MCST), the Elbrus chip is built on a VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word) architecture and is primarily used in critical infrastructure and defense sectors. Though it is well-suited for domestic applications, the Elbrus processor’s performance is far below the standards of high-end processors from companies like Intel, AMD, and Arm.
Despite this, the Russian government remains optimistic about its prospects, admitting that this console will not compete directly with current-gen gaming machines like the PS5 or Xbox Series. The console will also feature a domestic operating system, although it remains uncertain whether this will be Aurora or Alt Linux. According to Anton Gorelkin, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, the solution needs to be “unconventional” to succeed, as Elbrus processors are not yet capable of competing with the performance of leading gaming consoles. However, the focus of the project seems to be less on competing in the high-end gaming market and more on fostering the growth of domestic video game products.
The second project, spearheaded by Russian telecommunications firm MTS, takes a different approach by relying on cloud gaming. The console will use MTS’s cloud-based platform, Fog Play, which enables users with less-powerful equipment to access high-end games by renting computing power from those who own more powerful PCs. This system, which charges users on an hourly basis, represents a cost-effective solution for those unable to afford expensive hardware. The MTS console itself is expected to cost around $45 and will come with an Xbox-like controller.
However, with a price tag so low, this device seems unlikely to appeal to hardcore gamers who are accustomed to the performance of current-generation consoles. Instead, it targets users seeking budget-friendly alternatives to play games via streaming, leveraging the power of the cloud rather than on-device processing. While the low cost may make it accessible to a broader audience, it remains to be seen whether this approach can capture the interest of serious gamers in Russia, given the limitations of cloud gaming and the device’s modest hardware.
While these developments illustrate Russia’s drive to become self-sufficient in technology, the products currently in the works seem far from revolutionary. With the Elbrus-powered console’s underwhelming performance and MTS’s cloud-gaming device targeting a budget market, it’s clear that these efforts face steep competition from the established global gaming industry. Furthermore, with the ongoing sanctions affecting Russia’s access to advanced technology, the road ahead for homegrown consoles remains uncertain.
Despite these challenges, both initiatives highlight a broader trend toward promoting local solutions in the face of geopolitical tensions and technological dependency. Whether these consoles can establish a foothold in the Russian market will depend on how well they can serve their intended audiences and whether the country’s broader technological ecosystem can support their growth.
For now, Russia’s quest for gaming independence may remain more aspirational than achievable.
