Roskomnadzor decided to compete with the world gaming giants: what awaits Russian gamers

The Russian gaming market may be on the verge of change. This time we are not talking about sanctions, termination of sales or restrictions on payments, but about compliance with laws regarding personal data. Roskomnadzor has begun to use the courts to seek compliance with legislative requirements from the largest foreign video game publishers, and the consequences of this process can affect both the companies themselves and millions of Russian players.

A few years ago, the main problem of Russian computer game fans was the departure of foreign publishers and difficulties in purchasing new projects, writes xrust. Today the situation is gradually changing. The focus was no longer on the issue of payment or official sales, but on storing information about users. It is around this topic that a new confrontation is now unfolding between the Russian regulator and the largest representatives of the global gaming industry.

According to data that became known from court materials and comments from experts, since the beginning of 2026, Roskomnadzor has initiated several administrative cases against foreign gaming companies. Among them were developers and publishers, whose projects are well known to almost every gamer. The list includes Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Epic Games, NetEase, Embracer Group, Digital Extremes and other major market participants.

Why gaming companies attracted the attention of the regulator

At first glance, it may seem that we are talking exclusively about the gaming industry. However, experts believe that what is happening is part of a larger trend. Modern online games have long ceased to be ordinary programs for entertainment. Today they operate as full-fledged digital platforms, processing huge amounts of user-related information every day.

For example, when registering an account, the service receives an email address, IP address, device specifications, login history, game achievements, friends list, data on in-game purchases and other information. When it comes to multi-user projects, the amount of information collected becomes even greater.

Russian legislation requires that personal data of Russian citizens be initially recorded and processed on servers located within the country. It was compliance with this requirement that became the subject of litigation.

From fines to more serious measures?

For now, developments remain within the legal framework. Roskomnadzor sends administrative materials to the court, and the court then decides to hold the companies accountable. The maximum punishment under the relevant article of the Code of Administrative Offenses provides for multi-million dollar fines.

However, representatives of the legal community pay attention to the other side of the issue. Financial sanctions in themselves rarely become a serious problem for multi-billion dollar corporations. Another thing is much more important — further actions in the event that the requirements of Russian legislation are not met.

This is why experts are increasingly discussing the likelihood of a gradual tightening of the approach. The point is not that restrictions are inevitable, but that such a scenario in the professional environment is already considered as one of the possible scenarios for the development of events.

There have already been similar precedents in the Russian digital sphere. In recent years, requirements for the localization of personal data have been presented to a variety of foreign Internet services — from social networks to large technology platforms. Now a similar practice is gradually spreading to the video game market.

Why now

It is interesting that the current situation coincided with a discussion of the future of the gaming industry in Russia. Earlier, the head of the Ministry of Digital Development, Maksut Shadayev, spoke about the possibility of including video games in the register of Russian software, provided that they are supported by infrastructure within the country and meet certain requirements.

Although this initiative is not directly related to the current lawsuits, both topics reflect the state's overall commitment to developing digital independence and strengthening control over the processing of Russian user data.

Against this background, it becomes clear why gaming services are increasingly viewed not just as entertainment developers, but as full-fledged digital ecosystems working with a huge user audience. It is this circumstance that largely explains the increased attention of regulators to the international gaming business.

What will happen to popular games and services

For an ordinary Russian player, the main question is not the size of possible fines for foreign companies, but something else: whether new lawsuits can lead to the disappearance of familiar games and services.

As of today, there is no reason to talk about immediate blocking of popular projects. Roskomnadzor did not report any decisions taken to restrict access to games from Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Epic Games or other companies. For now, we are talking exclusively about holding organizations accountable for non-compliance with the requirements of Russian legislation.

However, the market is closely monitoring the development of the situation. The reason is simple: modern games are closely connected to the online infrastructure. Even if the program itself is installed on the user’s computer, many functions depend on the developer’s servers — authorization, saving progress, updates, in-game purchases and network modes.

This is why possible restrictions may not necessarily look like a complete blocking of the game. In some cases, problems may arise with the creation of new accounts, payment for additional materials, or the operation of certain online functions.

The most sensitive issue — Steam

Players’ special attention is drawn to the situation around the world’s largest platform for digital distribution of games — Steam. Formally, the current court cases are not related to the Valve store, but to specific publishers and developers. However, experts believe that further developments may affect the entire ecosystem of foreign gaming services.

In recent years, Russian users have already adapted to new conditions. After the departure of some foreign companies, many players began to use alternative methods of purchasing games, purchasing digital keys through intermediaries or moving to other sites.

Nevertheless, Steam remains the central element of the Russian gaming market. The platform features thousands of projects, including independent games, major international releases, and multiplayer projects.

According to market participants, the Russian audience of foreign gaming services remains significant and can number tens of millions of users. That is why any changes in the operation of large platforms can significantly affect the habits of players.

Who can benefit from the new situation

If pressure on foreign companies increases, this could create additional opportunities for Russian and Asian developers.

Domestic playgrounds and shops are called one of the potential beneficiaries. In recent years, Russia has been actively developing its own digital distribution services, which seek to occupy part of the market previously owned by foreign platforms.

In particular, projects like VK Play, as well as solutions from Russian companies related to cloud gaming and game distribution, are attracting market attention.

However, experts warn that the global gaming ecosystem cannot be replaced quickly. The reason is not only in technology, but also in content. The largest foreign publishers have been creating recognizable game series, international communities and user support infrastructure for years.

A player who is used to new parts of Battlefield, The Sims or Grand Theft Auto will not necessarily switch to another product just because the access conditions have changed.

The global gaming industry has already faced similar conflicts

The situation with Russian requirements for foreign gaming companies is not unique. In many countries, authorities are gradually tightening control over digital platforms that collect the data of millions of users.

The main reason is simple: personal information has become one of the most important resources of the digital economy. Gaming companies today own large amounts of data that allow them to analyze audience behavior, payment activity and user interests.

This is why states are increasingly demanding that large online services comply with national rules for processing information.

For Russia, the issue of data localization arose several years ago. The law obliging foreign companies to store personal information of Russian citizens using Russian databases has been in force since 2015. However, the practice of its use is gradually expanding — from social networks and search services to gaming platforms.

Why the situation is important for the entire market

Current lawsuits against gaming companies can be be considered as a test of how willing large international developers are to work according to Russian rules.

On the one hand, for global corporations, the Russian market may not be large enough to completely rebuild the infrastructure. Server localization requires financial costs, legal support and technical support.

On the other hand, completely abandoning the Russian segment also has its price. Even after the departure of official representatives, many foreign games continue to be popular among Russian users.

Therefore, experts consider the most likely scenario not a sharp break, but a gradual change in working conditions. Companies may seek compromise solutions, study the requirements of Russian legislation, or limit certain functions.

What to expect for Russian players

At the moment, users should not panic. Most popular games continue to work, and no decisions have been made about large-scale restrictions.

However, what is happening shows: the era when foreign digital services could work in Russia almost independently of local requirements is gradually passing away.

The gaming industry is becoming part of a broader process — the struggle of states for control over digital infrastructure and user data.

For Russian gamers, this means the need to monitor the development of the situation. So far we are talking about legal disputes and fines, but it is precisely such processes in the future that can determine what the video game market in Russia will be like — open to global companies or focused primarily on domestic and friendly foreign platforms.

Sources:

• Kommersant
• Roskomnadzor
• Ministry of Digital Development of Russia

Xrust Roskomnadzor decided to compete with the world gaming giants: what awaits Russian gamers